ELL ASSESSMENT FALL UPDATE (DRAFT) September 15, 2011 Event #10470 Student Assessment Division

1. ELL ASSESSMENT FALL UPDATE (DRAFT) September 15, 2011 Event #10470 Student Assessment Division Texas Education Agency

2. Disclaimer • These slides have been prepared by the Student Assessment Division of the Texas Education Agency. • If any slide is amended or revised for local use, please remove the TEA footer at the bottom of the slide. TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

3. Topics • ELL participation in STAARTM • Linguistic accommodations for ELLs • TELPAS updates • Key steps to take this fall TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

4. State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAARTM) TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

5. Formulating ELL Assessment Policies for STAAR Philosophy and Guiding Principles • Uphold high expectations for learning academic content and English • Acknowledge gradually diminishing need ELLs have for linguistic support as they learn English • Maintain test constructs (skills the tests are designed to assess) • Streamline Texas Assessment Program policies and procedures as much as possible TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

6. Formulating ELL Assessment Policies for STAAR General Approach • Allow some degree of linguistic accommodation for all subjects and grades • Develop policies around diminishing needs over time • More substantial degree of accommodation for more recent English learners • More limited degree for less recent English learners • Base decisions on students’ • years in U.S. schools • level of English language proficiency TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

7. Formulating ELL Assessment Policies for STAAR General Approach • Include ELLs in testing and develop accountability progress measures that • consider second language acquisition developmental needs of ELLs • uphold high expectations for learning • provide information to guide instruction TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

8. Formulating ELL Assessment Policies for STAAR Steps Taken • Evaluated TAKS policies • Statewide educator survey • Internal TEA review • Examined current literature and research • Reviewed policies of other states • Consulted with national experts and educator focus groups TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

9. Formulating ELL Assessment Policies for STAAR Major Factors Considered in Determining Allowable Linguistic Accommodations • ELL responsiveness • Logistical challenges for school districts • Test security • Equity • Test standardization TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

10. ELL Assessment Policies for STAAR • Proposed commissioner rules* to be published soon in Texas Register for public comment • Adoption expected by late fall STAAR ELL participation policies in this PowerPoint are not considered final until proposed rules are adopted *Note: No changes to TAKS grade 10 and TAKS exit level requirements for ELLs TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

11. STAAR Assessments • STAAR in English • STAAR in Spanish • STAAR L in English • STAAR Modified • STAAR Alternate TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

12. ELL Participation in Spanish STAAR • Available for students in grades 3–5 • To be administered if LPAC determines assessment in Spanish provides most appropriate measure of student’s academic progress TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

13. ELL Participation in STAAR L • Maximum years in U.S. schools to take STAAR L • 3 unless unschooled asylee/refugee, then 5 • TELPAS proficiency level threshold • Student not eligible for STAAR L once advanced high rating attained on TELPAS reading test TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

14. STAAR L Tests • Linguistically accommodated versions of STAAR 3–8 and EOC • STAAR L is for math, science, and social studies (EOC included) • No STAAR L for reading and writing • STAAR L tests are STAAR tests • Built with STAAR items to STAAR test specifications • Same achievement standards as regular STAAR TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

15. STAAR L Remember, STAAR L is for • grades 3–8 and EOC • math, science, and social studies only TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

16. STAAR L • 2012 – all paper-based administrations • Some linguistic accommodations to be provided by test administrator • 2013 and beyond – online testing program • Built-in English clarification accommodation • Built-in read-aloud accommodation TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

17. What linguistic accommodations are allowable on STAAR L? * Provided by test administrator in 2012; by online testing interface in future TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

18. What linguistic accommodations are allowable on regular STAAR? TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

19. Will there be a STAAR L version of Spanish STAAR? No, just as native English speakers who take STAAR in English are not provided additional linguistic accommodations, native Spanish speakers who take STAAR in Spanish will not be provided additional linguistic accommodations. Linguistic accommodations are designed for students learning a new language. Linguistic accommodations make the meaning of words in the new language more comprehensible. TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update 19

20. Will there be Spanish or STAAR L versions of STAAR Modified? No, but linguistic accommodations allowable on STAAR L, plus a few others, will be available for ELLs taking STAAR Modified. *Unique to STAAR Modified TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update 20

21. STAAR Modified for ELLs ARD committees are required to work in conjunction with LPACs to determine and document test participation decisions and appropriate linguistic (and other) accommodations. For STAAR Modified participation requirements, go to: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/special-ed/staarm/ TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update 21

22. What about ELL policies for STAAR Alternate? Observational, classroom-based nature of STAAR Alternate allows for use of other languages or communication methods, as needed, for qualifying ELLs receiving special education services. ARD committees are required to work in conjunction with LPACs to determine and document appropriate assessment decisions. For STAAR Alternate participation requirements, go to: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/special-ed/staaralt/ TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update 22

23. Proposed English I and II Commissioner Rules for ELLs • Special provisions acknowledge unique second language acquisition circumstances of recent immigrant ELLs with respect to English I and II EOC tests. • In these courses, these particular ELLs may require substantial instructional scaffolding and linguistic adaptation not feasible on standardized language arts tests. TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

24. Proposed English I and II Commissioner Rules for ELLs, Cont. • Special provisions apply to ELLs who have – • been enrolled in U.S. schools 3 years or less (5 school years or less if qualifying unschooled asylee/refugee) • not yet attained TELPAS advanced high reading rating TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

25. Proposed English I and II Commissioner Rules for ELLs, Cont. Special Provisions When enrolled in English I or II course, qualifying ELLs shall not be required to – • include assessment score in cumulative score for graduation; • retake assessment each time it is administered if student passes course but does not achieve minimum score; or • have score count for 15% of student’s final grade These students are not exempt from taking the test while in the course. These provisions do not apply to English III. TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

26. TAKS to STAAR: Key STAAR ELL Policies to Know • All ELLs participate in STAAR – no exemptions from testing • STAAR L is just for math, science, and social studies, not reading or writing • Linguistic accommodations are not limited to STAAR L • Moderate to substantial degree allowed for STAAR L • Limited degree allowed for regular STAAR in English • Degree allowed for STAAR Modified may vary (limited, moderate, substantial) depending on special education and second language acquisition needs • Linguistic accommodations do not apply to STAAR in Spanish (test is already written in students’ native language) TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

27. TAKS to STAAR: Key STAAR ELL Policies to Know • STAAR Modified linguistic accommodations are not subject to years in U.S. schools restrictions • STAAR L eligibility criteria are same across grades • No grade 3 exceptions • No high school exceptions • No English/Spanish side-by-side linguistic accommodation • No oral translation or bilingual glossaries, except with STAAR Modified • No testing over two days • No requirement to give STAAR L on different day than STAAR TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

28. More Information about STAAR STAAR Resources webpage • Q&A • Test blueprints • Assessed curriculum • Sample items (coming soon) • And more… www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

29. STAAR Accommodation Information Accommodation Resources webpage • Information about • accommodations for students with disabilities • linguistic accommodations for ELLs (coming soon) www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/accommodations TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

30. TELPAS Updates TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

31. Spring 2011 Online Training Data TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

32. TELPAS Holistic Rating Training for Spring 2012 Course and calibration requirements same as last year! TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

33. Holistic Rating Training Resources • 2011–2012 training resources (very minor updates): • PowerPoint presentations • Making the ELPS-TELPAS Connection: K–12 Overview • Introductory Training on the PLDs (separate modules for K–1 and 2–12) • Grades 2–12 Writing Collection Overview • Holistic Rating Training Requirements • Educator Guide to TELPAS These updated resources will be available soon on ELL Assessment webpage at www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/telpas/ TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

34. TELPAS Administration • Assessment window for spring • March 19 – April 11 • Data verification window • April 12 – 13 TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

35. New Plan for Conducting Training of Supplemental Support Providers (SSPs) • Recorded TEA Web-based presentations (separate for K–1, 2–5, 6–12) to be available on Resources page of TELPAS TrainingCenter beginning January 30 • ESC and district individuals to be trained as SSPs may be trained any time after this date • No state-level registration; districts responsible for ensuring training of SSPs • Required for new and returning SSPs • Training content similar to last year TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

36. TELPAS Spring Dates TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

37. TELPAS Online Reading Test • Changes to align with STAAR in 2011–2012 • “Reporting Category” is replacing “Objective” • No sample items at beginning of tests • No time limits (current TELPAS policy to remain) • Minor changes to Texas Assessment Management System • Statewide lookup • New move process • New organization of tabs • Tutorials to be updated for TestNav 7 TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

38. Key Steps to Take This Fall TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

39. 1. Conduct ELPS and TELPAS professional development sessions • Teachers are required to implement the ELPS and content area TEKS in instruction • District and campus administrators need working knowledge of ELPS and TELPAS • TELPAS familiarization training is • good for future raters • good way to reinforce use of PLDs all year long TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

40. 2. Help support teacher use of TELPAS results and ELPS PLDs to monitor and maximize learning of English • Beginning of year: • Review ELLs’ past TELPAS results to see if making steady progress in learning English • TELPAS confidential campus student rosters include • 2 years of test scores • how long student has been in U.S. schools TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

41. 3. Help support LPAC use of TELPAS results and ELPS PLDs to monitor and maximize learning of English LPAC meetings during school year: Use previous spring’s TELPAS results and current year’s teacher input to • gauge progress in English proficiency • review and adjust linguistic accommodations used in instruction • plan for instructional interventions, if necessary • plan for linguistic accommodations during state assessment TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

42. Remember • When implemented effectively in instruction, linguistic accommodations • accelerate learning of academic content and English • reduce length of time and degree to which substantial linguistic accommodations needed TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

43. TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

44. Important… STAAR linguistic accommodation policies should support but NOT narrow instructional linguistic accommodations. Not all accommodations appropriate for instruction are allowable on assessments. TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

45. Upcoming ELL Assessment Training and Presentations Annual LPAC Training TETN January 6, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Event #10553 Open to ESCs only Texas Assessment Conference December 4-7, 2011 • ELL Assessment Update • Assessing ELLs with STAAR • TELPAS for Spring 2012: What You Need to Know TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

46. Recommendations for Educator Review Committees • As part of test development process for the state assessments, TEA convenes committees of educators each year to review field-test items for state assessment programs • Committees assembled from database of recommended educators • Need recommendations for educators who have experience working with ELLs Recommendation forms available at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/develop/recform.pdf TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update

47. Contact Information • Go to www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessmentand click on ELL Assessment Information • Call the TEA Student Assessment Division at (512) 463-9536 • Email us at ELL.tests@tea.state.tx.us TEA Fall ELL Assessment Update