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The PPVT™–4 Test Delivers Contemporary Features for Even Better Assessment

A perspective from coauthor Dr. Doug Dunn

The fourth version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT–4 instrument) will be released in November 2006. The most widely used norm-referenced test of receptive vocabulary, this edition continues a nearly half-century tradition of providing unparalleled vocabulary assessment.

The renowned PPVT assessment was created by Dr. Lloyd Dunn, who died in April 2006. His son Dr. Doug Dunn is the coauthor of the fourth edition and is eager to continue his father’s well-known practice of providing reliable, valid, and comprehensive assessment tools and educational programs for children.

“What makes this version of the test especially noteworthy is that it is Dad’s last,” said Dr. Doug Dunn. “It was his overwhelming desire to see that everything was done as well as possible—the art, standardization, norming, even the manual. Dad’s legacy to the future is a true focus on building a quality product. He wanted each version to be better and more useful.”

“Dad’s legacy to the future is a true focus on building a quality product. He wanted each version to be better and more useful.”
—Dr. Doug Dunn

The PPVT–4 instrument includes several new features. The format of the portable easel is a larger 8 ½ in. by 11 in. Core vocabulary has been updated with more stimulus words (now 228 per form). Users will find better representation of word types across all levels of difficulty, including very easy items to strengthen the floor of the test. What’s more, the PPVT–4 scale features updated, realistic art, now in full color.

“Dad always wanted a version in color,” says Dr. Dunn. “The color was carefully done to be very appealing. The balance of pictures—the ethnicity and gender role models—is greatly enhanced. Nothing was overlooked. For instance, to accommodate those with color blindness, the colors are vivid, and there are dark outlines around the art.

“Today, subjects are more engaged in media than ever before, as are teachers and other administrators. I believe the color in the PPVT–4 will go a long way toward holding interest and attention, which in turn will help provide a better assessment of vocabulary achievement.”

“I believe the color in the PPVT–4 will go a long way toward holding interest, which in turn will help provide a better assessment of vocabulary achievement.”
—Dr. Doug Dunn

As with previous editions, the PPVT–4 instrument is well suited for a wide range of users. Designed for ages 2 years 6 months through 90+, and to meet the needs of general and special education professionals, this versatile instrument is appropriate for screening and diagnostic purposes, progress monitoring, and meeting Reading First goals. The test is also applicable to all three tiers of the response to intervention (RTI) model. And like its predecessors, the PPVT–4 scale is quick and easy to use. It can be given in just 10 to15 minutes and requires no reading or writing.

Dr. Dunn says, “In this version, virtually everything is improved, including the packaging. For users who are itinerant, the newly designed carrying case makes it easy for them to travel with everything they need. And for those who work in one location, the packaging also works well on a bookcase.”

“In this version, virtually everything is improved, including the packaging.”
—Dr. Doug Dunn

A trained statistician, Dr. Dunn says, “It has been great to work with Dr. Mark Daniel and look at all aspects of the data analysis, including measures of bias and performance.”

A dedication to meeting cultural sensitivity goals has always guided the development of the test. Building on this commitment, special attention was paid to ensuring a balanced representation of sex and race/ethnicity in the illustrations. All items were reviewed by a panel of 15 professionals, and any items showing evidence of bias were eliminated.

Dr. Dunn adds, “The breadth of data in the norming sample matches the U.S. Census (with less than a 1% variance between the norms and the general population). As it was, we had more cases than we needed in some sections of the sample—we didn’t have to extrapolate information in any cross section of the population. This makes the test very current. Besides increasing items at the lower end, we also added items at certain critical levels to match vocabulary growth patterns. The basal and ceiling rules remain the same so that there will be no increase in the time to administer the test.”

Other new features were introduced to make it easier to measure progress, a practice that has gained increased emphasis in professional and government guidelines. Specifically, there have always been two parallel forms to facilitate retesting. However, this version of the test, as well as the PPVT-III instrument, now includes a growth scale values (GSVs), a new metric for measuring progress over time.

The ASSIST™ scoring software has been rebuilt, allowing the user to include an unlimited number of examinees in one database. Significantly enhanced ASSIST reporting options let users run reports by age and grade, as well as by a wide variety of subclassifications.

Dr. Dunn says he looks forward to personally adding to the growth and quality of the test. “In the years to come, I hope to contribute enhancements in the area of ‘mechanization of process’—in other words, technology solutions that focus on the administration, scoring and reporting of the test. Think speed. Think of making the test available to all teachers and other administrators using the best of mechanization.

“Dad built the foundation on which the test has been developed, and he was involved in the PPVT–4 all way to the end. He looked at everything, literally up to the last week of his life. His vision was truly ongoing.”