This test of reading, first published in 1915, examined the ability of examinees to read aloud. It consists of twelve paragraphs of increasing complexity. Students gained 0 to 4 points for each paragraph they read, and a scale (not available here) linked this to normal grade achievement. The exam was first published in 1915 – revisions are still in use. This version was published by the Public School Publishing Company of Bloomington, Illinois.
Illinois-born William Scott Gray (1885-1960) studied at Illinois State Normal School (now Illinois State University), and obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago (1913) and a masters from Teachers College of Columbia University (1914) before returning to Chicago to obtain his doctorate (1916). He served as dean as the School of Education at Chicago from 1917 until 1930 and remained as a faculty member in education until his retirement in 1950. He is remembered not only as the author of numerous scholarly works but as coauthor of the “Dick and Jane” series of readers.
Reference:
Stevenson, Jennifer A., ed., <I>William S. Gray: Teacher, Scholar, Leader</I>, Newark: International Reading Association, 1985.