Éirim, in partnership with Education Elephant, is delighted to announce the launch of a brand-new, UK- and Irish-normed standardised test: SPaRCS – Spelling, Processing speed, and Reading Comprehension Speed (with some innovative extras built in!).

Designed for students aged 13–18, SPaRCS will be available for purchase through Education Elephant Ltd. from September 2017. It fills a significant gap in the market, offering teachers a practical, time-efficient, and up-to-date assessment tool.

Why SPaRCS?

The test was conceived and developed by Dr. Kate James, Educational Psychologist, Dublin. In her work with special education teachers in Ireland and SENCos in the UK, Dr. James recognised two major challenges:

• A shortage of Irish-normed and modern standardised tests

• The time and resource burden of testing for access arrangements and supports

In the UK, SENCos also faced a particular lack of tests appropriate for assessing eligibility for 25% extra time in exams. SPaRCS was created to directly address these challenges.

Key Benefits of SPaRCS

• Can be administered in a group setting

• Affordable (approx. £230)

• Time-efficient (fits comfortably into one 40-minute class)

• Produces reliable standard scores

• Includes innovative effort indicators to ensure valid results

• Suitable evidence for:

  • UK: 25% extra time, reader/computer reader, and scribe applications (JCQ)

  • Ireland: Spelling and Grammar Waiver applications

What’s Inside the Test?

SPaRCS is based on data from a large sample of over 2,000 students across Ireland and the UK. It includes three core components:

1. Spelling

2. Processing Speed (2 minutes)

3. Reading Comprehension Speed (10 minutes)

The inclusion of effort indicators makes SPaRCS particularly innovative. Research shows that some students underperform deliberately in hopes of qualifying for accommodations. SPaRCS helps identify when this may be happening, ensuring fair and accurate assessment results.

Supporting Students Fairly

In Ireland, the most common examination accommodation is the Spelling and Grammar Waiver, while in the UK, applications for extra time, readers, and scribes are frequent. SPaRCS provides a reliable and efficient way to support these applications while reducing the testing burden on schools.

How to Order

SPaRCS is available exclusively through Education Elephant.
👉 For more information or to place an order, visit Education Elephant or contact info@educationelephant.ie.