English Language Development Assessment ELDA Grades K12

1
English Language Development Assessment
(ELDA)Grades K-12
2
What Distinguishes ELDA?

• Test items focus on linguistic issues that are
  problematic for ELL students.
• Test items are designed not to contaminate
  measurement of target construct (English language
  development).
• Test items do not assume prior content knowledge.
• Performance is scored on constructed response
  items with assumption that errors will be
  present.
• Linking across grade clusters
• At each grade cluster, provides measure of skills
  from beginning to fully proficient

3
How was ELDA developed?

• USDOE grant 6112 (Title VI Enhanced Assessment
  Grant)
• Collaboration
• Council of Chief State School Officers
• American Institutes of Research
• Center for the Study of Assessment Validity and
  Evaluation University of Maryland
• National Center for Research on Evaluation,
  Standards and Student Testing, UCLA
• Other consultants (K-2, linguistics, etc.)
• LEP - SCASS states

4
What was the process?

• Determined common English language development
  standards
• Determined number of levels of performance
  discrimination
• Created descriptions of proficiency levels for
  each component
• Determined format of assessment components
• Determined types of academic language for each
  grade cluster

5
and the process continued.

• Wrote items
• Reviewed items
• State members
• Consultants
• Tryout of items -conducted student and teacher
  interviews
• Analyzed data and interview information
• Rewrote items
• Reviewed items
• Developed field test forms

6
and the process continued.

• Field tests Grades 3-12 field tests in spring
  2004 and K-2 field tests in spring 2005
• Validity studies
• Developed operational forms and item bank
• Standard setting with teachers from each state

7
Main Features of ELDA

• Aligned with state ELD and linked with content
  standards
• Assesses academic and school/social environment
  language
• Each assessed language domain measures 5
  performance levels
• Functions are
• Establish baseline data
• Provide measure of annual progress
• Indicate level of English proficiency in each
  domain and a composite

8
Main Features of ELDA

• Use of graphics as needed for all domains
• Original stimuli for reading
• Use of taped input for listening and speaking
• Speaking Test administrators score speaking or
  tapes may be submitted for vendor scoring

9
What is being measured on ELDA?
10
Four Grade Clusters x Four Language Domains
11
Focus on Academic Language
12
Five Performance Levels for each Domain and
Composite

• Entry into level 5
• Entry into level 4
• Entry into level 3
• Entry into level 2
• Level 1

13
Grades 3-12 Test Design
14
K-2 Test Design
15
K-2 Score Points

• Descriptions provided of skill at levels 1, 2 3
• Levels
• No Evidence of Mastery (0)
• Minimal Evidence With Much Support (1)
• Moderate Evidence With/Without Support (2)
• Clear Evidence Independence (3)

16
Outcomes..

• Consistent measurement of English language
  development across participating states
• An interpretive guide to help states consider and
  use the scores appropriately.
• Individual student reports of performance in each
  domain and a composite score to help determine
  strengths and needs of our students.
• District/state level reports to help states see
  how they are doing and how different programs are
  doing in teaching English.

17
Other Outcomes..

• Data to meet the requirements of NCLB
• Type of specialized language program
• Length of time in program
• of students who are making progress toward
  English proficiency (Title III)
• of students who attain English proficiency
  (Title III)