Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which stage is NOT part of the stages of spelling development?

1. Phonetic

2. Semiphonetic

3. Transitional

4. Derivational

The correct answer is: Phonetic

The stage that is not part of the recognized stages of spelling development is the phonetic stage. Typically, spelling development is categorized into a sequence of stages that include semiphonetic, transitional, and derivational stages, each representing a child's growing understanding of language and spelling conventions. The semiphonetic stage is where children begin to understand that letters represent sounds, often writing down sounds they hear in words, but not necessarily representing each sound or using correct spelling. The transitional stage follows, where students learn to connect sounds to letters more systematically and begin to incorporate more complex spelling patterns into their writing. Finally, the derivational stage involves understanding the relationships between words, such as how prefixes and suffixes affect spelling and meaning. Understanding this progression helps educators support students at each level of their spelling development, ensuring that instruction is appropriately tailored to their current skills and knowledge.