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Assessing the English Language Proficiency of English Learners With Disabilities Assessing the English Language Proficiency of English Learners With Disabilities

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Assessing the English Language Proficiency of English Learners With Disabilities - PPT Presentation

US Department of Education March 16 2015 Copyright 2015 American Institutes for Research All rights reserved Agenda 900 915am Welcome and Overview 915 1105am Panel ID: 904619

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Slide1

Assessing the English Language Proficiency of English Learners With Disabilities

U.S. Department of EducationMarch 16, 2015

Copyright © 2015 American Institutes for Research. All rights reserved.

Slide2

Agenda

9:00 – 9:15am Welcome and Overview

9:15

11:05am Panel Session 1: Background – Differentiating Language and Literacy Acquisition From Disability11:05 – 11:15am Break11:15 – 1:05pm Panel Session 2: Fostering Valid and Reliable Assessments for ELs With Disabilities1:05 – 2:00pm Lunch2:00 – 3:00pm Panel Session 3: Assessing ELs With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

2

Slide3

Panelists

Panel Session 1: Background – Differentiating Language and Literacy Acquisition From Disability

Presenters: Aquiles Iglesias; Esther Geva; Sylvia Linan-Thompson; Alba Ortiz

Moderator: Diane August

Panel Session 2: Fostering Valid and Reliable Assessments for ELs With DisabilitiesPresenters: Martha Thurlow; Jamal Abedi; Phoebe Winter; Gary CookModerator: Robert LinquantiPanel Session 3: Assessing ELs With Significant Cognitive Disabilities Alternate ELP Standards and Assessments, and Growth and Attainment CriteriaPresenters: Martha Thurlow; Gary CookModerator: Brian Gong

3

Slide4

Meeting Purpose

Build the knowledge base related to ELs with disabilities and inform future research and development in this area Inform the work of a panel constituted by the US Department of Education

Panel constituted to develop a peer review guide related to Title III assessment and accountability provisions.

Peer review guide will assist SEAs in preparing materials for the review and peer reviewers in conducting the review. Guide includes elements related to Title III assessment and accountability and evidence states must provide to show compliance with provisions of the law.

4

Slide5

Background: Title III

Title III of ESEA provides federal funding to state and local education agencies to develop language instruction programs that assist ELs in acquiring English and meeting the same academic content standards as their English-proficient peers.

It also inaugurated important changes in assessment and accountability for EL students.

5

Slide6

Background: Title III

Title III of the law requires states to establish state standards for English language proficiency (ELP) that correspond with state academic content standards required under Title I.

It requires an annually administered English language proficiency assessment based on those standards and measuring the four domains of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

6

Slide7

Background: Title III

Title III also instituted new accountability requirements for districts and states.

New EL accountability provisions require states to:

define criteria for progress in learning English

establish a performance standard for English language proficiency and academic content knowledgeset annually increasing performance targets for the number and percentage of ELs meeting these criteria

7

Slide8

Background: Title III

The Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives include:AMAO 1

: annual increases in the number or percentage of ELs making progress in learning English;

AMAO 2

: annual increases in the number or percentage of ELs attaining English language proficiency (ELP) by the end of each school year as determined by a valid and reliable assessment of ELP; and AMAO 3: annual increases in the number or percentage of ELs making adequate yearly progress (AYP) on content area assessments.

8

Slide9

Demographics

In 2012–13: ELs

comprised 9% of students enrolled in U.S. public

schools

There were 543,916 English learners with disabilities (this represents 8.5% of ELs and 13% of all students with disabilities)

9

Slide10

Identification of

Speech-Language Impairment in ELsAquiles Iglesias

University of Delaware

March 16, 2015

10

Slide11

Overview

What we know about language acquisition in ELsImplications for assessment

Identification of:

Students with True Language Impairment

Students with language learning difficulties not eligible for special servicesTypically developing students who are not making adequate progress

11

Slide12

Knowledge Base and Implications for Assessment

Language acquisition Innate capacity to learn

Linguistic environment

Must assess:

Process of learningProduct of learning (innate capacity + linguistic environment)

12

Slide13

Knowledge Base and Implications for Assessment

Growth trajectories of oral measures related to

literacy

for

TD K-3 ELs Must assess using language development norms, trajectories, and growth rates of similar studentsGenderBeginning L2 proficiency statusLanguage learning ability

13

Slide14

Knowledge Base and Implications for Assessment

Children acquiring 2 languages

Knowledge acquired is distributed across 2 languages

Distribution is not always equal

14

Slide15

Unequal Distributed Knowledge

VOCABULARY

15

Slide16

Knowledge Base and Implications for Assessment

Children acquiring two

languages

Knowledge

acquired is distributes across two languages (not always equal)Total score in one language only provides partial information.Best measure of language ability takes into consideration distributed knowledge. Early identification and intervention results in better and more cost effective outcomes.Assess early

16

Slide17

The Ideal Assessment Should:

Occur earlyAssess process and product

Account for distributed knowledge

Compare performance to similar students

StaticGrowth

17

Slide18

Language Assessments for Spanish-English Speaking Children*

Preschool Computerized Language Assessment

(PCLA)

Funding: Institute of Education Sciences Grant R305A110284

Bilingual English Spanish Assessment (BESA)Funding: NIDCD N01-DC-8-2100Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT)Partial Funding NIH and IES Grants HD59321 and R305U010001

*Disclosure: Aquiles Iglesias has financial interests in all three assessments

18

Slide19

Our Task

19

Slide20

Preschool Computerized Language Assessment (PCLA)

20

Slide21

Our Task – Screening With PCLA

English Total Scores and Component Scores

Spanish Total Score and Component Scores

Best Score Total

21

Slide22

Our Task – Screening With PCLA

English Total Scores and Component Scores

Spanish Total Score and Component Scores

Best Score Total

22

Slide23

Our Task – Identification of True Language Impaired

23

Slide24

Bilingual English Spanish Assessment (BESA)

Domains

Semantics

Morphosyntax

PhonologyLI Markers vary across languagesEnglish: Past tense, Plural NounsSpanish – Articles and Clitics

24

Slide25

Bilingual English Spanish Assessment (BESA)

25

Slide26

Our Task – Identification of True Language Impaired Older Students

Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT)

Normed on over 4,000 English and Spanish Language Samples

Grades K-3, Ages 5 – 9

26

Slide27

Elicitation Procedure

Model Retell Tell

27

Slide28

Decision Making Process

Assess Language X

Compare to Language X Norms

WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS

Assess Language

Y

Compare to Language Y Norms

WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS

28

Slide29

English

Spanish

29

Slide30

Monitoring

Progress-Language Samples

30

Slide31

Monitoring

Progress-Language Samples

31

Slide32

Identification of Students

Students with True Language Impairment

Students with language learning difficulties not eligible for special services

Typically developing students that are not making adequate progress

32

Slide33

References

Iglesias, A., & Rojas, R. (2012). Bilingual language development of ELLs: Modeling the growth of two languages. In B. Goldstein (Ed.),

Bilingual language development and disorders: Past, present, and future

(pp. 1-30). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Miller, J. F., Heilmann, J., Nockerts, A., Iglesias, A., Fabiano, & Francis, D. (2006). Oral language and reading in bilingual children. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 2(1), 30-43. Peña, E. (2007). Lost in Translation: Methodological considerations in cross-cultural research. Child Development, 78, 1255-1264.Rojas, R., & Iglesias, A. (2009, March 3). Making a case for language sampling. The ASHA Leader, 14(3), 10-13.

Rojas, R., & Iglesias, A. (2013). The language growth of English language learners: Change over time, individual differences, and the impact of initial status on growth.

Journal of Child Development

,

84

(2), 630-646.

33

Slide34

Assessments

Golinkoff, R., de Villiers, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Iglesias, A., & Wilson, M. (under development). Preschool Computerized Language Assessment.

Iglesias, A., & Miller, J. (2012). Systematic Assessment of Language Samples. SALT Software, LLC, Middletown, WI. (saltsoftware.com)

Peña, E., Gutierrez-Clellen, V., Iglesias, A. Goldsteim, B., & Bedore, L. (2014). Bilingual English Spanish Assessment. A-R Clinical Publications, San Rafael, CA.

34

Slide35

Aquiles IglesiasCommunication Sciences and Disorders

University of DelawareAquiles @UDEL.edu

35

Slide36

Assessing Disabilities in ELs Struggling With Phonological Awareness, Word Recognition, and Decoding Skills

Esther GevaUniversity of Toronto

March 16, 2015

36

Slide37

Research Agenda

Clinical, assessment, and instructional issues related to:Over-identification (Cummins, 1991)

Under-identification (Limbos & Geva, 2001)

The challenge:

How do we tease apart L2 status from a possible learning disability?37

Slide38

Strategies Guiding My Research on Language and Literacy in ELs

38

Slide39

What Do the Data Show About Typical Development of Reading in ELs?

Longitudinal Design

Cross-sequential

(4

cohorts)A large task battery administered annuallyEach cohort tracked from Grade 1 to Grade 6 13 schools across 4 boards of education in a large metropolis mixed catchment area

first

generation

immigrants

communities

average poverty incidence =

23%

income below median for the metropolis

39

Slide40

Test Battery

40

Slide41

The Sample

Home languages spoken in the

EL group:

Punjabi

, Tamil, Urdu, Cantonese, Portuguese, SpanishGroupsNFemale

Male

Mean Age in Grade 4

EL

427

213

206

116.12

EL1

158

93

64

118.97

41

Slide42

Receptive Vocabulary (PPVT): Average Growth Trajectories in EL and EL1

Grade1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

37.40

57.68

77.96

98.25

118.53

Growth From Grade 1 to Grade 6

Vocabulary

EL1

ESL

(Farnia & Geva, 2011)

Persistent EL1-EL Difference

EL1 Slope/Rate of Growth

EL Slope (steeper in early years)

42

Slide43

Basic Reading Skills: Average Growth Trajectories in EL and EL1

Development of Word Recognition Skills

Word Recognition

Development of

Decoding Skills

Decoding

Source: Geva & Farnia, LARCIC, 2009

43

Slide44

Rapid Letter Naming (RAN): Average Growth Trajectories in EL1 and EL

Growth From Grade 1 to Grade 6

Rapid Naming

Source: Geva & Farnia, LARCIC, 2009

44

Slide45

Phonological Awareness: Average Growth Trajectories in EL1 and EL

Growth From Grade 1 to Grade 6

Phonological Awareness

No EL-EL1 difference

Source: Geva & Farnia, LARCIC, 2009

45

Slide46

Relationship between Phonological Awareness and Word Reading Skills

Grade 1

Grade 6

X = EL1

X = ESL

No EL-EL1 differences

46

Slide47

Vocabulary - Strong Predictor of Reading Comprehension in Monolinguals and ELs

X = EL1

X = ESL

Source: Geva & Farnia, LARCIC, 2009

47

Slide48

Reading Comprehension*- Average

Growth Trajectories in EL and EL1

Source: Farnia & Geva, J of Res in Reading, 2013

48

*Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test-ESS

Persistent EL-EL1 difference

Slide49

Summary of Developmental Trends: EL1 vs. EL

Skills

EL vs. EL1

Rapid naming

= Phonological awareness=Word reading=Vocabulary<Reading comprehension

<

Farnia & Geva, 2013

49

Slide50

Ways of examining “transfer” of skills between L1 and L2

Correlation between L1 and L2 skills (universal perspective

)

Effects of specific L1 features on L2 features (

positive/negative)

Geva, E. Written Language & Literacy, 2014

50

Slide51

Correlations

Among English (L1) Predictors (Fall SK) and French Reading

a

Year Later

(Grade 1)

(Endler, M., Ph.D., 2007)

51

Slide52

Spelling: EL1 Versus EL (Cantonese)

Spelling “th” in the word

thick

Gr. 1-Fall (T1) & Spring (T2)

Spelling “th” in the word

thick

Gr. 2 Fall (T3) & Spring (T4)

(Wang & Geva, 2003)

52

Slide53

Research on ELs Who Might Have Learning Disabilities in the Following Areas:

Word Reading and Spelling (

focus for today

)

Reading FluencyReading Comprehension Written Expression Mathematics Calculations

53

Slide54

Auditory Discrimination: Developing Sensitivity to New Phonemes

Pseudoword Auditory Discrimination Task

17 Pseudoword pairs

keathe-keev

thop-zopbish-bissshen-sen

“Did I say the same thing?”

54

Slide55

Development of

Auditory Discrimination: At-

Risk

for

Dyslexia vs. No-Risk

Over time L1-EL differences disappear but

reading group differences persist

55

Slide56

Profiles of At-Risk and Not-at-Risk EL1 and EL (End of Grade 2)

Geva, Yaghoub-Zadeh, & Schuster,

Annals of Dyslexia

, 2000

56

Slide57

Spelling Growth by Language Group

In Grade 1, Punjabi and Portuguese groups had lower scores, however, their growth was steeper over time.

From Grades 4 to 6, home language was

not

a predictor

of initial status or growth.

Geva & Lafrance, 2011

57

Slide58

Phonological Processing

Sub-GroupsPhonological Processing (PP) Risk Status:

Below 25%ile on either PA,

RAN,

or both in Grade 1 (PA-risk, RAN-risk, Double Deficit-DD, Typically Developing)

58

Slide59

Spelling Growth by PP Risk Group

Risk Groups: Grades 1–3

Risk Groups: Grades 4–6

Initially, all risk groups had lower scores than the No Risk

group.

L2 status not a good predictor but Phonological Processing (PP) risk status

is.

59

Slide60

What Predicts Longitudinally

Gr. 6 Spelling?

60

Slide61

Conclusions

61

Slide62

What Have We Learned?

The overall profiles of ELs and EL1s who have a learning disability are similar (despite differences in language proficiency)

Like monolinguals, ELs with persistent difficulties in word level skills have difficulties with:

processing factors (e.g., phonological awareness, RAN, memory, auditory discrimination)

accurate and fluent word reading and spellingthese difficulties impact reading comprehension and writing62

Slide63

Food for Thought

Be mindful of current normsCompare relevant performance to reference group

What IS the relevant reference group?

Consider developmental patterns

Consider transfer from the L1(correlational; positive & negative) Assess evidence based known predictorsExpect same % of EL1 and EL with LD (systemic over- and under-identification are problematic)

63

Slide64

Acknowledgments

Funding Support

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Transfer Grants - Ontario Ministry of Education

Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network (CLLRNet) University of TorontoFormer/Current StudentsMahshid AzimiTodd CunninghamDana Shafman (David)Fataneh FarniaMaureen JeanEmiko KoyamaAdele LafranceKate Ndlovu (Herbert)Gloria RamirezBarbara SchusterZohreh Yaghoub-ZadehLesly Wade-WoolleyMin Wang

64

Slide65

References

Farnia, F. & Geva, E., (2013). Growth and predictors of change in English language learners' reading comprehension. Journal of Research in reading

,

36

(4), 389–421. ISSN 0141–0423 DOI:10.1111/jrir.12003, Farnia, F., & Geva, E. (2011). Cognitive correlates of vocabulary growth in English language learners. Applied Psycholinguistics, 32(4), 711–738Geva, E. (2006). Second–language oral proficiency and second–language literacy. In D. August & T. Shanahan (Eds.), Developing literacy in second–language learners: A report of the National literacy Panel on language–Minority Children and Youth (123–140). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

65

Slide66

References

Geva, E. (2014). The cross–language transfer journey – A guide to the perplexed. In E. Zaretsky & M. Schwartz (Eds.), Cross–linguistic transfer in reading in multilingual contexts – Recent research trends, (1–15). Boston, MA: University of Massachusetts.

Geva, E., & Farnia, F. (2012). Developmental changes in the nature of language proficiency and reading fluency paint a more complex view of reading comprehension in ELL and EL1. Reading and Writing: an Interdisciplinary Journal, 25(8), 1819–1845.

Geva, E., & Herbert, K. (2012). Assessment and interventions for English language learners with learning disabilities. In B. Wong & D. Butler (Eds.),

Learning about learning disabilities (4th ed.), (271–298). San Diego, CA: Elsevier Science.

66

Slide67

References

Geva, E., & Massey–Garrison, A. (2013). A comparison of the language skills of ELLs and monolinguals who are poor decoders, poor comprehenders or normal readers. Journal of Learning Disabilities

,

46

(5), 387–401. Geva, E., & Yaghoub-Zadeh, Z. (2006). Reading efficiency in native English–speaking and English–as–a–second–language children: The role of oral proficiency and underlying cognitive–linguistic processes. Scientific Studies of Reading, 10(1), 31–57.Geva, E., Yaghoub–Zadeh, Z., & Schuster, B. (2000). Understanding individual differences in word recognition skills of ESL children. Annals of Dyslexia, 50(1), 121–154.Jean, M., & Geva, E. (2009). The development of vocabulary in English as a second language children and its role in predicting word recognition ability. Applied Psycholinguistics, 30(1), 153–185.

67

Slide68

References

Limbos, M. & Geva, E. (2001). Accuracy of teacher assessments of second-language students at risk for reading disability. Journal of Learning Disabilities

,

34

(2), 136–151.Ndlovu, K. and Geva, E. (2008). Writing abilities in first and second language learners with and without reading disabilities. In J. Kormos & E.H. Kontra (Eds.), Language learners with special needs: An international perspective. Toronto, Canada: Multilingual Matters. Saiegh–Haddad, E. & Geva, E. (2008). Morphological awareness, phonological awareness, and reading in English–Arabic bilingual children. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 21(5), 481–504.

68

Slide69

References

Wang, M., & Geva, E. (2003). Spelling performance of Chinese children: Lexical and visual–orthographic processes. Applied Psycholinguistics, 24,

1–25.

 

Wang, M., & Geva, E. (2003). Spelling acquisition of novel English phonemes in Chinese children. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 16(4), 325–348.

69

Slide70

Esther GevaUniversity of Toronto

egeva@oise.utoronto.ca

70

Slide71

A Comparison of Global and Discrete Measures When Assessing ELs’ Writing

Sylvia Linan-ThompsonUniversity of Texas at Austin

March 16, 2015

71

Slide72

Rationale

Recently, there has been increased interest in writing.72% of fourth graders are below proficient level on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (2003).

Measures of writing that measure student progress and identify students who are struggling are available but ELs have not been included in much of the research.

72

Slide73

Assessment

Curriculum Based Measures: Multiple probes of equivalent difficulty that are administered repeatedly (Deno, 1985; Jenkins, Deno, & Mirkin, 1979)

Progress monitoring: A nondiscriminatory RTI approach to track student progress

(Fuchs & Fuchs, 2006; Speece, Case, & Molloy, 2003)

73

Slide74

Research

Words written, words spelled correctly, and correct letter sequence were:Sensitive to growth within year and across grades

Discriminated between student with and without disabilities

(Deno et al., 1982; Marston

& Deno., 1981; Marston, Deno, & Tindal, 1983)Analytic scores added to those measures discriminated between general education students and students with LD, at-risk, and low performance (Tindal & Hasbrouck, 1991).Percent of words spelled correctly Best screening tool (Parker et al., 1991b).

74

Slide75

Research

CBMs in reading are not as reliable with ELs as they are for monolingual students.(Linan-Thompson, 2010; Linan-Thompson, Vaughn, Prater, &

Cirino, 2006).

75

Slide76

Exploratory Study

To better understand the writing development of ELs in

English and

Spanish, we are using global and discrete measures to identify measures that best discriminate among three groups of second-grade students in dual language classrooms.

Students received reading instruction in Spanish; writing instruction was in both languages.Students had multiple opportunities to write: creative bilingual journals, independent writing, reader response.Teachers used a writers’ workshop model for writing instruction.Project ESTRE2LLA, US Department of Education, Office of Special Education ProgramsGrant # H326M110010

76

Slide77

Data Sources

Journal samples Stanford English Language Proficiency

Stanford Spanish Language Proficiency

77

Slide78

Variables

Total number of wordsCorrect word sequence

Correct word sequence without spelling

Number of correctly spelled words

78

Slide79

Variables

Bilingual strategiesDiscourse level

Sentence/phrase level

Word level

(Adapted from Soltero-González, Escamilla, & Hopewell, 2011).Holistic rating1-5 scale Organization/contentCohesionComplexity

79

Slide80

Findings: Group Means

Student

SELP WW

Pre

SELP WW post

SSLP WW

pre

SSLP WW post

Dyslexia

33.5

38.2

48.25

58

Low language proficiency

27.2

59.4

50

56

Average language proficiency

52

48.3

63.3

64.5

80

Slide81

Findings: English Journal Samples

Student

WW

WW

WSC

WSC

Dyslexia

30

28

1

9

Low

83

30

23

13

Low

40

37

4

14

Average

46

54

42

45

81

Slide82

Findings: English Journal Samples

Student

CWS

CWS w/o spelling

CWS

CWS w/o spelling

Dyslexia

0

24

2

26

Low

2

52

5

23

Low

0

35

6

26

Average

34

38

40

48

82

Slide83

Findings: English Journal Samples

Student

Holistic

Holistic

Dyslexia

10

6

Low language proficiency

5

6

Low language proficiency

6

4

Average language proficiency

14

15

83

Slide84

Findings: Bilingual Strategies

Student

Syntax

Literal Translation

Dyslexia

Mai tio hies

Low language proficiency

Average language proficiency

…rolacoster of water

…another one of ginger

84

Slide85

Findings: Bilingual Strategies

Student

Language approximation

Phonetic Transfer

Dyslexia

Sow (so), abaut

Ple stesin, bak, flep

Pleis, ais cet

Resolors, febret

Low language proficiency

Flawr, gan (going), brouk

Aut sayd (outside), brader, lero, owis, jaga

Average language proficiency

Auncluse (uncles)

85

Slide86

Summary and Next Steps

Generally, average performing students write more words than students in other groups.Average proficiency students are better spellers than students in the other two groups as measured by both TWC and CWS.

Average proficiency students have higher holistic scores than students in the other two groups.

Most bilingual strategies are at the word level.

We will continue to code writing to determine whether there are differences between low performing students and students with dyslexia in student growth on any measures.

86

Slide87

Conclusion (With Limited Data)

Writing provides evidence of student development in the process of becoming bilingual/biliterate.Student writing may be an alternative to parallel monolingual assessments.

Writing may be easier to use and more sensitive than oral proficiency measures to monitor student language development.

87

Slide88

References

Deno, S. L. (1985). Curriculum-based measurement: The emerging alternative. Exceptional Children, 52

, 219-232.

Fuchs, D., & Fuchs, L. S. (2006). Instruction to responsiveness-to-intervention: What, why and how valid is it?

Reading Research Quarterly, 41, 92-99.Linan-Thompson, S. (2010). Response to instruction, English language learners and disproportionate representation: The role of assessment. Psicothema 2010, 22(4), pp. 970-974.Linan-Thompson, S., Vaughn, S., Prater, K., & Cirino, P. T. (2006). The response to intervention of English language learners at-risk for reading problems. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39, 390-398.

88

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References

Marston, D., & Deno, S. L. (1981). The reliability of simple, direct, measures of written expression

(Vol. IRLD-RR-50). University of Minnesota, Institute of Research on Learning Disabilities.

Martson, D., Deno, S. L., & Tindal, G. (1983).

A comparison of standardized achievement tests and direct measurement techniques in measuring student progress (Vol. IRLD-RR-126). University of Minnesota, Institute of Research on Learning Disabilities.McMaster, K., & Epsin, C. (2007). Technical features of curriculum-based measurement in writing: A literature review. The Journal of Special Education, 41, 68-84.

89

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References

Parker, R. I., Tindal, G., & Hasbrouck, J. (1991b). Progress monitoring with objective measures of writing performance for students with mild disabilities,

Exceptional Children, 58

, 61-73.

Soltero-Gonzalez, L., Escamilla, K., & Hopewell, S. (2011). Changing teachers’ perceptions about the writing abilities of emerging bilingual students: Toward a holistic bilingual perspective on writing assessment. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 15, 71-94.Speece, D. L., Case, L. P., & Molloy, D. E. (2003). Responsiveness to general education education instruction as the first gate to learning disabilities identification. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 18, 147-156.

90

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Sylvia Linan-ThompsonThe University of Texas at Austin

sylvialt@austin.utexas.edu

91

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Multitiered

Systems of Support for English LearnersAlba A. Ortiz

University of Texas at Austin

March 16, 2015

92

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Students Experience Learning Difficulties for a Variety of Reasons

Learning problems result from deficiencies in the teaching-learning environment.

Learning problems become more serious over time because instruction is not adapted to address identified needs or gaps (interplay of individual and environment).

Learning problems are associated with the presence of a disability (individual).

(Adapted from Adelman, 1992)

93

Slide94

Multitiered System of

Support (MTSS)This school improvement framework reflects an interactional view of student success and failure.

It focuses on all aspects of the educational process, and those involved in this process, to ensure student success:

Effective schools

Prevention of school failureData-driven, multitiered systems of instructionCollaboration across programs, services, personnelProfessional developmentContinuous evaluation of the effectiveness of system-level and student-level initiatives and supports

94

Slide95

MTSS Essential Components:

Positive School Environments

Well-implemented special language programs

Bilingual education and English as a Second Language

Shared knowledge base about ELs and about effective practices for their educationAppropriate screening, assessment, and progress monitoring systems for the native language (L1) and English (L2), depending on program modelLongitudinal record-keeping systems to track student progress within and across grades

95

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MTSS Essential Components: Response to Intervention (RtI)

An essential component of a Multitiered System of Support, Response to Intervention is a multitier approach to providing high-quality instruction and intervention, matched to student needs (Elliott, 2008).

Progress is closely monitored and changes in instruction are based on data collected from ongoing assessment (National Association of State Directors of Special Education, 2005).

96

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Elements of an Effective RtI Model for ELs

Universal screening in L1 and/or L2, depending on the program modelMeasures validated for ELs

Identification of students at risk of failure

97

Slide98

Elements of an Effective RtI Model

for ELsTiered instruction

Core instruction (Tier 1)

Universal design principles

Language of InstructionIn the native language and in English in bilingual education programsIn English as a Second Language programs, English instruction with scaffolding across skill/content areas and settingsCulturally responsive principles in delivery of instructionContinuous progress monitoring

98

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Elements of an Effective RtI Model

for ELsSupplemental instruction

(Tier 2 and Tier 3)

Increasingly intensive interventions for students experiencing learning difficulties

Research-based interventions validated for ELsIntervention consistent with the language of core instructionCulturally responsive principles in delivery of instructionProvided by educators with expertise specific to ELsContinuous progress monitoring in L1 and L2

99

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Elements of an Effective RtI Model

for ELsData-based decision making

I

nstructional planning for all students

Grade, skill/content area, and school-level trends and issuesEffectiveness of curriculum and instruction; fidelity of implementationIdentification of students who are not meeting expectationsIdentification of students who may benefit from special education referral

100

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Early Intervention for ELs

With Reading Difficulties (Tier 2)

Supplement

, do not replace, core

instructionAre based on screening, assessment, and progress monitoring data in L1 and/or L2Are differentiated to address identified language and literacy needsIncorporate strategies to build oral language skills in the native language and/or in English (with emphasis on vocabulary development).Provide systematic, explicit literacy instruction in identified areas of need, consistent with the language of core instruction.

(

Cavazos & Ortiz,

2014)

101

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Problem-solving Teams

If specialized interventions do not resolve learning problems, the student’s case should be presented to a campus-based problem-solving team (PST). PSTs for ELs must include members with expertise specific to this population.

Team members identify factors that contribute to learning difficulties (system- and/or student-level).

102

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Indicators That Support Referral

Multiple data sources corroborate student difficultiesParents concur with educators’ concerns

Significant life events have been ruled out as causal factors (e.g., medical history, accidents, family issues)

Native language skills are atypical of peers with similar backgrounds

ESL skills are atypical of peers with similar backgroundsCultural characteristics are atypical of peersNo evidence of interrupted education; no excessive absencesStudent has been enrolled in current placement long enough to benefit from interventionGeneral education interventions have not resulted in adequate progress

103

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Linguistically and Culturally Responsive Special Education Processes

Referral committees include parents and other members with EL expertise

Full and Individual Evaluations using instruments and procedures that are valid and reliable for ELs

Multidisciplinary teams with EL expertise

Determine eligibilityDevelop IEPs that simultaneously address disability and language-related needsAssess results of special education intervention

104

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Issues With EL/LD Identification

ELs with limited oral language proficiency in both the native language and in English have the highest special education placement rates ( Artiles, Rueda, Higareda, & Salazar, 2005).

ELs with specific learning disabilities (Ortiz, et al., 2011):

Were typically referred

in 2nd or 3rd grade; many had already been retained or socially promoted.Had limited oral language proficiency in the native language and in English at school entry and still had limited skills in both languages at the time of referral. Yet, oral language development was not targeted in early intervention efforts.

105

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Issues With EL/LD Identification

Most states allow (or require) identification of specific learning disabilities based on significant discrepancies between intelligence and achievement.

The instruments used to establish IQ-achievement discrepancies are of questionable validity for ELs

.

Assessment personnel lack training in assessment of ELs and in interpretation of assessment results.

106

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Issues With EL/LD Identification

Neither RtI nor special education processes provide appropriate data to determine the presence of a disability. Data are insufficient provide assurances that problems are not the result of:

Limited English language proficiency

Cultural differences

Economic disadvantageLack of appropriate instruction in reading and math107

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Identification of LD

As many as 75% of ELs identified as having learning disabilities may be misclassified (Ortiz et al., 2011):Some have learning problems that can be explained by factors other than the presence of a disability (e.g., lack of access to appropriate instruction, lack of timely intervention, inappropriate assessment practices).

Some have disabilities, but not the one they have been assigned.

In examining special education representation patterns (overrepresentation, underrepresentation, and proportionate representation), it is important to ask:

Are we serving the right students?

108

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Indicators of LD for ELs

In addition to the factors that supported referral:Full and individual evaluation corroborates reasons for referral.

Results of RtI data corroborate those of formal assessments.

The student’s performance is significantly different from that of EL peers.

The student exhibits behaviors typically associated with the suspected disability.Parents/family concur that problems manifest in home and community contexts (i.e., they exist 24 hours a day, not just in school).There are no competing hypotheses to explain student difficulties.

109

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Research Infrastructure

Preparation of researchers with expertise in the interaction of native language and English language proficiency/ development and disability

Routine inclusion of ELs in research on students with disabilities or specific explanation for their inclusion

Application of relevant theories and frameworks in studies involving ELs

110

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Research Needs

Documentation of special education representation patterns and factors contributing to disproportionate representation by language group

Criteria

to determine eligibility of ELs with disabilities for bilingual education and/or ESL/ELD programs and criteria for exit from these

programsDetermining who is a “true” peerProgress monitoring procedures for oral language development

111

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Research Needs

Effectiveness of RtI for ELs, including effect on special education and placement ratesBest practices in native language and English assessments to identify disabilities

Guidance for distinguishing differences from disabilities

Effective instructional practices for core instruction, supplemental intervention, and special education instruction

By age, grade, language proficiency, academic achievement, disability/exceptionality, category, severity level

112

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RtI Model Demonstration Projects

Model Demonstration Project for English Language Learners With or At-Risk of Having a Disability (84.326M)

3 Funded Projects

The University of Texas at Austin (2)

The University of Colorado at Boulder (1)Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education ProgramsFunding Period: 2012-2015

113

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References

Adelman, H. S. (1992). LD: The next 25 years. Journal of Learning Disabilities

, 25, 17-22.

Artiles, A. J., Rueda, R., Salazar, J. J., & Higareda, I. (2005). Within-group diversity in minority disproportionate representation: English Language Learners in urban school districts.

Exceptional Children, 71(3), 283-300.Elliot, J. (2008, September). Response to Intervention: What and Why? School Administrator, 10-18.Cavazos, L. & Ortiz, A. A. (2014, February). Response to Intervention for English Language Learners with Reading Difficulties. Presented at the meeting of the National Association for Bilingual Education, San Diego, California.García, S. B., & Ortiz, A. A. (2008). A framework for culturally and linguistically responsive design of Response-to-Intervention models. Multiple Voices for Ethnically Diverse Exceptional Learners, 11(1), 24-41.

114

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References

Linan-Thompson, S., & Ortiz, A. A. (2009). Response to intervention and English Language Learners: Instructional and assessment considerations. Seminars in Speech and Language

, 30(2), 105-120.

National Association of State Directors of Special Education. (2005).

Response to Intervention: Policy considerations and implementation. Alexandria, VA: Author.Ortiz, A. A., Robertson, P. M., Wilkinson, C. Y., Liu, Y., McGhee, B. D., & Kushner, M. I. (2011). The role of bilingual education teachers in preventing inappropriate referrals of ELLs to special education: Implications for Response to Intervention. Bilingual Research Journal, 34(3), 316-333.

115

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Alba A. Ortiz, Professor EmeritusDepartment of Special Education

The University of Texas at Austinalba.ortiz@austin.utexas.edu

116

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Moderated Discussion

117

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Questions

118

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Break

11:05 – 11:15 am

119

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Assessing the English Language Proficiency of ELs With Disabilities:

Implications From Research and PracticeMartha L. Thurlow

National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

March 16, 2015

120

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Relevant Evidence

Analyses of participation of ELs with disabilities in states’ assessments of English language proficiency

Policies

Public Reporting (including participation and performance)

Analyses of accessibility approaches and accommodations in English language proficiency assessmentsFocus group study on perspectives from the field on challenges and successes in including ELs with disabilities in ELP assessments

121

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Framework

122

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State Assessment Policies: Participation

Criteria for ELs With

Disabilities

49 of 50 states provide criteria for the participation of ELs with disabilities in their ELP assessments

123

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Reporting on ELs With Disabilities ELP Participation and Performance

ELs With Disabilities Data in Public Reports for

2012-13 ELP Assessments

California

ColoradoLouisiana Minnesota New York

Texas

None of these states reported a participation

rate,

although 2 reported percent not tested

All of these states reported

percent proficient

(and all but 1 reported by performance level)

124

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State Policies: Reporting

States rarely address what happens to the students’ scores when the students are not able to participate in all domains of the ELP assessment.

When states do indicate what happens to scores, it is generally to indicate either that a student’s non-participation in some domains did not count against school participation rates or that, if an alternative means of assessing the student was used, the score was considered invalid.

125

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Performance Reported Publicly

6 states reported data publicly, but 1 only reported on its Alternate Assessment of ELP

126

 

GRADE

CA

ELSWD

CA

ELs

LA

ELSWD

LA

ELs

MN

ELSWD

MN

ELs

NY

ELSWD

NY

ELs

TX

ELSWD

TX

ELs

 

Grade 4

 

10%

 

40%

 

14%

 

35%

 

8%

 

31%

 

10%

 

21%

 

36%

 

78%

 

Grade 8

 

19%

 

56%

 

39% + **

 

48%

 

1%

 

8%

 

11%

 

16%

 

69%

 

86%

 

Grade 10

 

18%

 

48%

 

13% + **

 

41%

 

16%

 

30%

 

15%

 

16%

 

65%

 

82%

Slide127

Implications

Better national and state data are needed on ELs with disabilities, including information on their disabilities, language background, assessment participation, and proficiency.

No student should be denied a score of language proficiency because of his or her disability.

127

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State Policies: Accommodations

Decision-making criteria differ across states, with the most frequent criteria (cited by more than ½ of states) being:

IEP team decision – 46 states

Maintains validity – 41 states

Used in class – 39 statesMeets individual student needs – 39 statesAppropriate for domain – 28 statesWhether not recommended because of severity of disability – 27 statesSome criteria, mentioned by fewer than ½ of states, refer to specific disabilities:Student is proficient in braille or lip reading – 22 states

128

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State Policies: Accommodations

Reading

Writing

Listening

SpeakingLarge Print (46)Proctor/Scribe (42)Braille (40)Magnification (36)Amplification (36)Directions-Repeat, Re-read, Clarify (36)Sign Interpret Directions (36)

Student Read Aloud (30)

Large

Print (46)

Braille (40)

Proctor/Scribe (38)

Magnification (38)

Computer/Machine (38)

Amplification (35)

Directions-Repeat, Re-read, Clarify (36)

Student Read Aloud (29)

Large

Print (44)

Braille (38)

Magnification (38)

Sign Interpret Directions (38)

Directions – Repeat, Re-read, Clarify (36)

Amplification (35)

 

Large

Print (42)

Braille (38)

Magnification (38)

Sign Interpret Directions (37)

Directions-Repeat, Re-read, Clarify (36)

Amplification (35)

129

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More on Approaches for Deaf/HH

Selective participation for ELP assessment allowed for students who are deaf/hard of hearing in 26 statesLeast controversial accommodations – sign interpret directions and amplification equipment

Sign interpret questions

prohibited across domains in most states (30-32 states)

Sign response prohibited across domains in most states (26-27 states)Few state policies addressed visual cues (allowed in 4; prohibited in 1)

130

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More on Approaches for Blind/VI

Selective participation for ELP assessment allowed for students who are blind/visually impaired in 24 states

Least controversial accommodations – braille, large print, magnification equipment

Few state policies addressed

read aloud directions; more likely to allow for writing than for listening and speakingRead aloud questions allowed in 30 states for writing domain; rarely allowed for other domainsBrailler prohibited for writing domain in 25 states

131

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Implications

Accessibility and accommodations policies should be based on determinations about the construct being tested. More research and discussion may be needed on:

What does listening mean for a student who is deaf/hard of hearing?

What does reading mean for a student who is blind/visually impaired?

What does speaking mean for a student who has been deaf from birth or who has a speech impediment?What does writing mean for a student who has a significant motor disability?Based on decisions about constructs, plans need to be made for obtaining a total score for all students

132

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Perspectives From the Field:

Challenges and SuccessesParticipants stated that the IEP process served primarily to make decisions about accommodations on content assessments, but less so for state ELP assessments and accommodations.

Participants described needs specific to ELs with disabilities for support and guidance from school and state education leaders on assessment and accommodations. The needs were for additional qualified staff and training, clear and consistent written assessment policies, and appropriate uses of state accountability test scores.

133

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Implications

More training is needed on appropriate decision making for participation and accommodations for ELs with disabilities.

The IEP team must include professionals who know English language development.

The IEP team should make decisions about both language development and content development.

134

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Information Resources

Christensen, L. L., Albus, D. A., Liu, K

. K

., Thurlow, M., & Kincaid, A. (2013).

Accommodations for students with disabilities on state English language proficiency assessments: A review of 2011 state policies. Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, NCEO. Christensen, L. L., Albus, D. A., Kincaid, A., Liu, K. K., & Thurlow, M. L. (2014). Including students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in English language proficiency assessments: A review of state policies. Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, NCEOChristensen, L. L., Albus, D. A., Kincaid, A., Christian, E., Liu, K. K., & Thurlow, M. L. (2014). Including students who are are blind or visually impaired in English language proficiency assessments: A review of state policies. Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, NCEO

135

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Information Resources

Guzman-Orth, D., Laitusis, C., Thurlow, M., & Christensen, L. (2014).

Conceptualizing accessibility for English learners and English learners with disabilities taking English proficiency assessments: What do we know and where do we go from here?

Princeton, NJ: ETS.

Liu, K., Goldstone, L., Thurlow, M., Ward, J., Hatten, J., & Christensen, L. Voices from the field: Making state assessment decisions for English language learners with disabilities. Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, NCEONCEO. (May 2014). Participation of ELLs with disabilities in ELP assessments (NCEO Brief #8). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes.

136

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Training and Other Resources

Improving the Validity of Assessment Results for English Language Learners with Disabilities (IVARED) – Training Module:

http://www.ivared.info/training.html

.

Christensen, L., Shyyan, V., Rogers, C., & Kincaid, A. (2014). Audio support guidelines for accessible assessments: Insights from cognitive labs. Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, NCEO, GAAP Project.Shyyan, V., Christensen, L., Rogers, C., & Kincaid, A. (2014). Sign support guidelines for accessible assessments: Insights from cognitive labs. Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, NCEO, GAAP Project.

137

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Training and Other Resources

Shyyan, V., Christensen, L., Touchette, B., Lightborne, L., Gholson, M., & Burton, K. (2013).

Accommodations manual: How to select, administer, and evaluate use of accommodations for instruction and assessment of English language learners with disabilities.

Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes.

138

Slide139

Martha ThurlowNational Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

THURL001@umn.edu

139

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ELP Assessment Accommodations for ELs With Disabilities:

Relevance, Effectiveness, Feasibility, and ValidityJamal Abedi

University of California, Davis

March 16, 2015

140

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Why Is It Important to Pay Special Attention to Assessment of ELP for ELs With Disabilities?

They are faced with the highest level of challenges in their academic career (the most at risk)They are often at the lowest level of ELP

In content-area assessments, they are about 1 to 1 ½ standard deviations below mainstream students

They may have the content knowledge but not the language capabilities to express it

The rate of misclassification of these students is extremely high141

Slide142

What Types of Accommodations Are Used in the Assessment of ELs With Disabilities?

ELs with disabilities may receive two different types of accommodations:

1.

Accommodations due to their EL status2. Accommodations due to their disabilities (based on their IEP or 504 plans)States should provide evidence on the effectiveness and validity of these accommodations

142

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Can accommodations that are used in

content-area assessments for ELs be used in ELP assessments for ELs with disabilities?

The most useful accommodations

for ELs in content-area assessments where the focal construct is not language are language-based accommodations

Examples: English and bilingual dictionaryEnglish and bilingual glossaryNative language assessmentsHowever, the focal construct in ELP assessments is language; therefore, language-based accommodations may not be valid for ELP assessments

143

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Issues/Questions To Be Addressed

How can we make sure that accommodations and accessibility features used in ELP assessments are effective in making ELP assessments more accessible for ELs with disabilities (effectiveness)?

How can we make sure that accommodations used for ELs with disabilities do not alter the focal construct?

How can we judge the feasibility of accommodations used for ELs with disabilities?

144

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How Can Accommodations for ELs With Disabilities Be Examined for Validity*?

Only through experimentally-controlled research where:

ELs

with disabilities and

non-ELs without disabilities are randomly assigned to the accommodated conditionsBoth ELs with disabilities and non-EL students are observed under accommodated and non-accommodated assessmentsAn accommodation is valid if it does not impact performance of non-ELs without disabilities. If it does impact the performance of non-ELs without disabilities, then the accommodation provides an unfair advantage to the recipients* Not altering the focal construct

145

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How Can Accommodations for ELs With Disabilities Be Examined for Effectiveness?

Only through experimentally-controlled research where:

ELs

with disabilities are randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups

The experimental group receives an accommodationThe control group is tested under the standard condition with no accommodation providedA significant improvement in the performance of the experimental group indicates effectiveness

146

Slide147

Are Accommodated and Non-Accommodated Assessments for ELs With Disabilities Comparable?

The way to establish comparability between accommodated and non-accommodated assessments for ELs with disabilities is to make sure that:

The accommodations used are valid (i.e., do not alter the focal construct (ELP))

The accommodations used are effective in making assessments more accessible for these students by controlling the construct-irrelevant sources.

147

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Sample Accommodations Used for ELs With Disabilities

Accommodation

Examples

Presentation

Repeat directions, read aloud, large print, braille EquipmentCalculator, amplification equipment, manipulativesResponseMark answers in book, scribe records responseSettingStudy carrel, student's home, separate roomTiming/Scheduling

Extended time, frequent breaks

148

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Issues/Questions To Be Addressed

Can accommodations that are used in content-area assessments for ELs be used in ELP assessments?

Can we assume accommodations that help reducing sources of construct-irrelevant variance in content-area assessments do the same in ELP assessments (validity)?

How can we make sure that accommodations used in ELP assessments do not alter the focal construct (validity)?

149

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Sample Accommodations Used for ELs With Disabilities

Accommodation

Examples

Presentation

Repeat directions, read aloud, large print, braille EquipmentCalculator, amplification equipment, manipulativesResponseMark answers in book, scribe records responseSettingStudy carrel, student's home, separate roomTiming/Scheduling

Extended time, frequent breaks

However, not enough evidence on the effectiveness or validity of these accommodations for ELs with disabilities

Source:

NCEO

(

http://www.cehd.umn.edu/NCEO/TOPICAREAS/

Accommodations/Accomtopic.htm

150

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How Are We Doing in Practice Nationally?

Are states and districts across the nation cognizant of these important criteria for selecting and using accommodations that are effective and valid for ELs with disabilities?

Are there any objective national criteria to help states to select appropriate accommodations for EL students?

Or, is the assignment of accommodations to these students based on temporary and subjective decisions?

151

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An Evidence-based System

for Determining Appropriate Accommodations for ELs With Disabilities (Abedi & Ewers, 2013)

Use

:

Supported by existing research as being effective in making assessments more accessible and valid (i.e., does not alter the focal construct) for ELs with disabilities or supports the concept of differential boostUse/Low Evidence: No clear evidence that the validity assumption is violated; however, additional support would strengthen their acceptance in the fieldDo Not Use: There is enough consistent evidence suggesting an accommodation is not effective and alters the focal construct.

152

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An Evidence-based System for Determining Appropriate Accommodations for ELs With Disabilities

Unsure

/

Low Evidence Needed

: Existing research-based evidence is supportive of the accommodation but not sufficient to make a judgment about its effectiveness and validityUnsure/Moderate Evidence: Existing research-based evidence is not quite sufficient to make a judgment about effectiveness and validity; some additional research-based evidence is neededUnsure/High Evidence: Existing research-based evidence neither supports nor rejects the effectiveness and validity of the accommodation, substantial research-based evidence is needed

153

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Overall Decision on

Accommodation Use

If valid/any level of effectiveness, then

use

If valid or low evidence needed/any level of effectiveness, then use with minor riskIf validity is unsure with low evidence needed/any level of effectiveness, then use with minor riskIf validity is unsure with moderate evidence needed/any level of effectiveness, then use with moderate riskIf validity is unsure with high evidence needed/any level of effectiveness, then use with high risk

154

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An Example of the Decision Process: Overall Decision – Use

EL Accommodation

Extra time within the testing day

Research Findings

This study indicated that extra time is both effective and valid for students in Grade 4 (Abedi et al., 2003b).

 

Both EL and non-EL students in Grade 8 are helped by this accommodation on a mathematics assessment of 35 released NAEP items (Abedi, Hofstetter, Baker, & Lord, 2001a).

 

Highly rated by a team of experts as helpful for the lowest English language proficient students. (Acosta et al., 2008).

Recommendation/

Validity

Use

Recommendation/

Effectiveness

Unsure/

Moderate Evidence

Overall Decision

Use -

Access

155

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Conclusions and Recommendations

Accommodations

:

Must be relevant in addressing assessment issues for ELs with disabilities

Must be effective in reducing the performance gap between ELs with disabilities and those who are not ELs with disabilitiesShould not alter the construct being measured; under such condition, the accommodated results can be aggregated with the assessments under standard conditionsMust be feasible in national and state assessments

156

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References

Abedi, J. (2013). Testing of ELL Students

(Chapter 101).

In K. F. Geisinger

, APA handbook of testing and assessment in psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.Abedi, J. (2012). Validity issues in designing accommodations. In G. Fulcher & F. Davidson, The Routledge handbook of language testing. London, UK: Routledge, Taylor & Francis.Abedi, J. (2007). English language learners with disabilities. In C. Cahlan-Laitusis & L. Cook (Eds.), Accommodating student with disabilities on state assessments: What works? Arlington, VA: Council for Exceptional Children.

Abedi, J. (2014). The

use

of

computer

t

echnology

in

designing

a

ppropriate

t

est

a

ccommodations

for English

language

l

earners

.

Applied Measurement in Education

.

Abedi, J., & Ewers, N. (2013).

Accommodations for English

language

l

earners

and

students

with

disabilities

: A

research-based

d

ecision

a

lgorithm

. Smarter Balanced Assessment

Consortium. Retrieved from

http://

www.smarterbalanced.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Accomodations-for-under-represented-students.pdf

157

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Jamal AbediUniversity of California, Davis

jabedi@ucdavis.edu(530) 754-9150

158

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Accessibility and Accommodations on ELPA21

Phoebe WinterIndependent Consultant

March 16, 2015

159

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ELPA21

Developed by a multi-state consortium, USED EAGBased on the

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards

(CCSSO, 2013)

Correspondence to content area standards Computer-based assessmentUse of technology to improve measurement

160

Slide161

Designed for Accessibility

Coordination among professionals with expertise inEnglish language acquisitionStudents with disabilitiesMeasurement

Evidence centered design

Test design

Item developmentResearchTest delivery161

Slide162

Developing Accessible Items

Minimizing language-related barriers due to non-targeted domainsMinimizing barriers to measuring all students’ proficiency/performanceUniversal design

Designing with accessibility features and accommodation in mind

162

Slide163

Building in Accessibility – Strategies

Use of pictures and graphicsMultiple modes of presentationNon-verbal response modesAPIP

compatibility

Alt text

Reviews during and after item development163

Slide164

Sample Compare Pictures Set (Grade 4-5 Speaking)

Written directions and narrator audio: Look carefully at the two pictures. Describe what is the same and what is different. Use as many details as you can. Include at least three

things that are the same or different.

164

Slide165

Sample Follow Instructions Set (

G1 Listening) Written directions and narrator audio: Look at this classroom. Listen to the teacher. Follow the teacher’s directions

.

(

Teacher audio): Put the ruler on the bookshelf.(Teacher audio): Choose the book about animals. Put it on the table by the window.

165

Slide166

Sample Listen and Match

Word (G1 Listening)

Written directions and narrator audio: Listen to the word. Choose the picture that matches the word

.

(Narrator audio): balloon166

Slide167

Conceptual Model

167

Slide168

Blind and Visually Impaired Students

Assess the same standards as the general ELPA21Provide scores that are comparable in terms of acquisition of academic English

As parallel in structure as possible to the general

ELPA21

Minimize dependence on language skills other than those being assessedBe engaging and motivatingUse the computer as much as possible, while being amenable to paper-based administration168

Slide169

Items

Item “twins” developedGoal is to have 1.5 X items needed for each formItem review for accessibilityGaps filled by twins at the task type levelTwins designed to measure same standards

Braille for reading items above K

Braille and audio for other domains

Manipulatives (realia) for response options and as stimuli Cognitive labs169

Slide170

Sample Item Twins

Compare pictures Follow instructionsListen and matchRead and match

Word builder

Storyboard

170

Slide171

Sample Compare Pictures Set General Assessment (Grade 4-5 Speaking

)Written directions and narrator audio: Look carefully at the two pictures. Describe what is the same and what is different. Use as many details as you can. Include at least

three

things that are the same or different.

171

Slide172

Sample Compare Pictures Twin (Grade 4-5 Speaking)

Narrator audio and braille stimulusI’d like to hear about how playing at school and playing at home are the same and different.

Describe

some things that are the same about playing at school and playing at the home. Please give as many details as you can.

Now describe some things that are different about playing at school and playing at the home. Please give as many details as you can.172

Slide173

Sample Follow Instructions Set General Assessment (G1 Listening)

Written directions and narrator audio: Look at this classroom. Listen to the teacher. Follow the teacher’s directions.

(Teacher): Put the ruler on the bookshelf.

(

Teacher audio): Choose the book about animals. Put it on the table by the window.173

Slide174

Sample Listen and Match Word General Assessment (G1 Listening)

Written directions and narrator audio: Listen to the word. Choose the picture that matches the word.

(

Narrator audio):

balloon174

Slide175

Sample Follow Instructions Twin (Grade 4-5 Listening)

Script: Listen to the instructions. Follow my directions.

Script: Put the plant in the box

.

Manipulatives: A small plant and a book; box, paper bag, backpack, vase Sample Listen and Match Twin (Grade 1 Listening)Script: Listen to the word. Choose the object that matches the word.Script: BalloonManipulatives: Ball, basket, balloon  175

Slide176

Sample Read and Match Item General Assessment (G1 Reading)

Written directions [and narrator at lower grades]: Look at the picture. Choose the word that matches the picture.

dot

d

ogbug176

Slide177

Sample Read and Match Twin (Grade 4-5 Reading)

Script: Touch the object. Read the words. Choose the word that matches the object.Braille book:

pail

paper

panparentManipulative: paper  177

Slide178

Sample World Builder Item General Assessment (G1 Writing)

Written directions and narrator audio: Move the letter to complete the word.

(

Narrator audio):

bearb p w_ear178

Slide179

Sample World Builder Twin(G1

Writing)Script: Listen to the word. Complete the word.

Script

: bear

Materials: Braille cards or tiles_earb p w  179

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Sample Storyboard General Assessment (Grades 6-8 Writing)

Written directions and narrator audio: The four pictures below show a story about something that happened. What story do the pictures tell? Look at the pictures and prepare to write a paragraph. You may use the words in the Word Bank to help you. Type your story in the text box and click submit when you are finished.

Be sure to check your work. Make sure you…

tell a complete story from beginning to end

organize ideas in a logical wayuse the right style for the task and the audience

Word Bank

empty

litter

garden

clean

plants

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Sample Storyboard Twin (

G4-5 Writing)Narrator audio and braille stimulus: Write a story about a time when you did something fun with your friends. You may use the words in the Word Bank to help you.

Be sure to check your work. Make sure you…

tell

a complete story from beginning to endorganize ideas in a logical wayuse clear language and complete sentencesWord Bank:friendsfun excitingplay  181

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Considerations for Accessibility

Understanding clearly the constructs being assessedIncorporating an understanding of the students in test design and item developmentProviding general access to a suite of tools Carefully selecting/designing and considering the impact of other accessibility features – designated features and accommodations

Incorporating empirical research into development

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Resources

English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century, ELPA21, is a consortium of states committed to supporting educators, member states, and members of the public as they adopt and implement the English language proficiency standards and and college- and career-ready standards. 

The consortium

is developing an assessment system based on the ELP Standards

For more information see: http://www.elpa21.org/183

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Phoebe Winter

phoebe.winter@outlook.comFor more information about ELPA21 in general: http://www.elpa21.orgFor information specific to accessibility and accommodations:

http://www.elpa21.org/assessment-system/features-benefits

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WIDA Consortium, ACCESS 2.0Accommodations for ELs with disabilities

H Gary Cook, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist

Research

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Overview

The WIDA Consortium & ASSETS GrantACCESS 2.0 Accessibility Features and AccommodationsCreating Alternate Composites Scores for ELs with Disabilities

Research

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ASSETS Grant Members (WIDA 2.0)

Research

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ASSETS Grant

Next Generation ELD Standards & Assessments to support Carrier & College Ready Language Expectations

Research

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ACCESS 2.0 Features

ACCESS 2.0 will be provided both in a paper & pencil & online formatSpeaking test computer delivered and scored remotely (online)Writing above grade 3 is provided online

Research

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Categorization of Accommodations is Different: ACCESS for ELLs & ACCESS 2.0

What’s Different

Reframed the 40+ Access for ELLs accommodations into 3 categories:

More streamlined approach to accommodation

Added additional supports within online test

Expanded accessibility for

all ELLs

Research

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Introduction of New “Middle” Category: Accessibility Features

Include tools and supports that are available to all

ELLs taking the tests, based on need or preference.

M

ay either be embedded in the computer-based test or provided to ELLs by test administrators on online or paper-based tests.

Research

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UDL Principles Applied Throughout Test Items:

Balance Accessibility and UsabilityIncreased multimodality

Add supporting prompts with appropriate animations and graphics

Uncomplicated and predictable as possible, low extraneous processing demands

The test will look uncluttered and function intuitively for the test taker.

Sample Reading Item Online Layout

Research

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Creating Alternate

Composite ScoresProblem

Some EL/SWD do not get composite scores (e.g., deaf or blind students)

Lack of composite scores effects AMAOs

SolutionsCreate conjunctive expectations based on administered testsCreate alternate composite scores

Research

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A Proficient Performance Criterion

U.S. Dept. of Education

(2012). Prepared by Cook, Linquanti, Chinen, Jung.

Conversations

about proficiency

can start here.

Research

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Conjunctive Expectations

Research

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Alternate Composites

Research

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Creating Alternate

Composite ScoresIt is possible to create composite score analogs which can be used to exit ELs who are SWD who cannot participate on all domain tests.

These methods show a predictive relationships to content assessments.

Research

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Gary Cook

Wisconsin Center for Education ResearchUniversity of Wisconsinhcook@wisc.edu

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Moderated Discussion

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Questions

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Lunch

1 – 2 pm

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Alternate Assessments

of ELP for ELLs With Significant Cognitive Disabilities:Considerations From the Field

Martha Thurlow

National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

March 16, 2015202

Slide203

Overview

What Have We Learned From Alternate Assessment Consortia?Who Are ELs With Significant Cognitive Disabilities?

What Else Do We Know From the Field?

What Might an Alternate Assessment of ELP Look Like?

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Delphi Study Results

“Schools must address the language development needs of ELs with significant cognitive disabilities. This is a fundamental civil rights issues….they must have high-quality information about these students’ language skills and needs.”

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DLM and NCSC Findings

Most students in the AA-AAS use oral speech, read sight words, and do math with a calculator, and can learn more than “rote academic skills.” Still there is a small group who do not.

Communication

systems are

essential for access to the general curriculum, including “language” development.It is important to develop a description of the student population and a theory of learning for these students – these should drive the nature of the assessment. 205

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DLM and NCSC Findings

Many students with significant cognitive disabilities have not had access to the curriculum or to language development efforts.

It is important to take a three-pronged approach for these students – curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

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Misperceptions About Students

Common Misperceptions

1

about who the students are who participate in the AA-AAS include:They function more like infants or toddlers than their actual age.They have life-threatening medical conditions or are not able to communicate.They can learn only rote academic

skills.

1

From Quenemoen, Kearns, Quenemoen, Flowers, & Kleinert (2010),

NCEO Synthesis Report 73.

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Primary Disability Categories of Students in the AA-AAS

From: National Alternate Assessment Center (NAAC)

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Research on Characteristics of Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Most students (about 72%) in AA-AAS had expressive communication (used verbal or written words, signs, braille, or language-based augmentative/alternative communication system) –

symbolic language users

About

18% of AA-AAS students were emerging symbolic language usersAnother 10% of AA-AAS students were pre-symbolic language users1 From Kearns, Towles-Reeves, Kleinert, Kleinert, & Thomas. (2011). The Journal of Special Education.209

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Meet Shelley

Shelley also has multiple disabilities and is using a switch to indicate that she wants “to go more.” It took about 8 trials in one session to get this consistent response.

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Meet Jordan

Jordan, who has autism, participates in the AA-AAS. He uses symbolic language and reads sign words. In this clip, he is learning about idiomatic expressions.

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Meet Bruce

Bruce is a student who was identified as having significant cognitive disabilities with no oral communication. After a communication system was identified for him, educators no longer believed he should be taking an AA-AAS.

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Meet Axel and Thasya

These two students are highlighted on the NCSC website. They are both ELLs with significant cognitive disabilities.

The videos show how complex the identification of these students is and how determining the communication that works for each student is critical.

Find the videos under Multimedia at

http://www.ncscpartners.org213

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Characteristics of ELLs With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Category of Disability

Category of Disability

C

ountPercentMental retardation355959.2%

Autism

1038

17.3%

Multiple disabilities

599

10.0%

Other

health impairment

154

2.3

%

Speech/language impairment

91

1.5%

Hearing impairment

91

1.5%

Orthopedic

62

1.0%

Emotional disability

45

0.7%

Traumatic brain injury

36

0.6%

Deaf-Blind

26

0.4%

Visual impairment

16

0.3%

Other

246

4.1%

No data

45

0.7%

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Characteristics of ELLs With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Expressive Communication

Expressive

Communication

CountPercentUses symbolic language3675

61.2%

Uses intentional communication

1388

23.1%

Communicates primarily through cries, etc.

850

14.1%

No data

95

1.6%

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Participation of ELLs With Significant Cognitive Disabilities in ELP Assessments

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Instruction of ELLs With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Language of instruction – almost exclusively English; special education teachers for the most part do not have backgrounds in language development; some have paraprofessionals who know other languages to provide needed scaffolding

Successful approaches – picture and photo cues, realia, identify objects and pictures in both English and student’s home language

More curricula and instructional strategies are needed

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What Might an Alternate ELP Look Like? Some Hints from AA-AAS History

Early AA-AAS:Primarily portfolios, with teachers collecting evidence

Current AA-AAS:

Technology-based assessments, with allowances for teacher administration

Item-based assessmentsAssessments based on grade-level achievement standards218

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Intercultural Considerations

Students and their families are characterized by diverse communication styles

Non-verbal communication misunderstandings are more likely to occur in intercultural settings

Disability is perceived differently across cultures

Students’ cultures of origin and prior intercultural experiences have implications for curriculum, instruction, and assessment decisionsEducators need intercultural competence skills219

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Concluding Thoughts

An alternate assessment of ELP needs to be: Based

on

strong college and career ready standards of ELP

Carefully planned in terms of how it addresses the assessment of reading, writing, speaking, and listening domains, so that those with disabilities in one or more areas can still earn a score and demonstrate proficiencyDesigned so that ELs with significant cognitive disabilities can demonstrate proficiency in English, with solid exit criteria based on alternate performance criteria.

220

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Resources

Kearns, J., Towles-Reeves, E., Kleinert, H., Kleinert, J., & Thomas, M. (2011). Characteristics of and implications for students participating in alternate assessments based on alternate academic achievement standards

.

Journal of Special Education, 45(1), 3-14. doi:10.1177/0022466909344223 Liu, K. K., Goldstone, L. S., Thurlow, M. L., Ward, J. M., Hatten, J., & Christensen, L. L. (2013). Voices from the field: Making state assessment decisions for English language learners with disabilities. Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, IVARED. NCEO. (2014). Exploring alternate ELP assessments for ELLs with significant cognitive disabilities (NCEO Brief 10). Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, NCEO.221

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Resources

Quenemoen, R., Kearns, J., Quenemoen, M., Flowers, C., & Kleinert, H. (2010).

Common misperceptions and research-based recommendations for alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards

(Synthesis Report 73). Minneapolis, MN:

U of MN, NCEO.Quenemoen, R. (2008). A brief history of alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (Synthesis Report 68). Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, NCEO.Thurlow, M. L., Liu, K. K., Ward, J. M., & Christensen, L. L. (2013). Assessment principles and guidelines for ELLs with disabilities. Minneapolis, MN: U of MN, IVARED.222

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Martha ThurlowNational

Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)THURL001@umn.edu

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What we’re learning about Alt ACCESS

H Gary Cook, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist

Research

224

Slide225

Overview

About Alt ACCESSWhat we’re learning about attainmentWhat we’re learning about growth

Research

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What Is Alt ACCESS?

Alternate ACCESS for ELLs (Alt ACCESS)Assessment based on WIDA’s Alternate Model Performance Indicators (AMPIs) www.wida.us/assessment/alternateaccess.aspx

Meant to assess ELs with significant cognitive disabilities

Adaption of an assessment created from a 2008-2011 USDE Enhanced Assessment Grant

Research

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What is Alt ACCESS?

Locally administered assessmentFour grade clusters: 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12Four domains: listening, speaking reading, writingMeasures social

instructional

language,

and the language of ELA, mathematics, and scienceMeasures five proficiency levels

Research

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Who participates in Alt ACCESS?

Eligible to participate on Alt ACCESS

Research

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Attainment on Alt ACCESS

What does it mean to be proficient on Alt ACCESS? What does language proficiency look like for ELs with significant cognitive disabilities?One idea…Conceptually, apply methods used to identify English language proficiency on general ELD assessments

Research

229

Slide230

A Proficient Performance Criterion

US Dept. of Education

(2012). Prepared by Cook, Linquanti, Chinen, Jung.

Conversations

about proficiencycan start here.

Research

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Slide231

Alt ACCESS to State Alternate Assessment Proficiency (in 4 states)

Logistic Probability Curves

Domain

A1/A2

A2/A3

A3/P1

P1/P2

Overall

Composite

924

931

938

944

Research

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What Do We

See About Attainment?This method seems to provide information consistent with a similar method used for ELD and content assessments.

This method defines the English proficient performance criterion with reference to the state’s alternate assessment.

Research

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Overall Composite Score Level Change on Alt ACCESS

262 154 279 180 96 Total = 971

Research

233

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Overall Composite Score Level Change on Alt ACCESS

337 227 448 550 292 Total = 1854

Research

234

Slide235

Overall Composite Score Level Change on Alt ACCESS

198 113 283 394 383 Total = 1371

Research

235

Slide236

Overall Composite Score Level Change on Alt ACCESS

160 119 322 338 319 Total = 1258

Research

236

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What Do We See

About Growth?Proportionally, most students did not move levels (except for level A2)

Largest level gain occurs at A2 level across all grade clusters

Students in level A1 grew the least across all grade clusters (discounting level P2)

Scale Score growth (not shown) very small

Research

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Some Questions

Given the large number of student not progressing in proficiency on Alt ACCESS….How long would it take to be proficient for these students?What should our growth expectations be vis-à-vis AMAO 1 for these students?Is there a point where a student’s lack of growth suggests that Title III services are no longer helpful?

Research

238

Slide239

Gary CookWisconsin Center for Education Research

University of Wisconsinhcook@wisc.edu

239

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Moderated Discussion

240

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Questions

241

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Diane AugustManaging Researcher

1000 Thomas Jefferson St. NWWashington, DC 20007daugust@air.org

242