The Student Oral Language Observation Matrix: A Psychometric Study With Preschoolers

The Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (SOLOM) is an assessment of oral language skills. The aim of this study was to examine psychometric properties of the SOLOM for preschoolers through (a) use of internal consistency methods to assess the reliability of the scores from the SOLOM and (b) examination of criterion-related validity by comparing the SOLOM with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test—Fourth Edition (PPVT-4). SOLOM internal consistency reliability was calculated using coefficient alpha; criterion-related validity was calculated using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients between the SOLOM and PPVT-4 scores of 90 preschool children. Results indicate that the SOLOM exhibits strong internal consistency reliability with criterion-related validity in the low to moderately correlated range. While additional research is necessary, results provide psychometric support for the use of the SOLOM as an informal assessment tool to be used by preschool teachers.