CCSSO 2009

Abstract

Title: “Assessing English Language Learners”

This presentation reports on the challenges and successes in developing computer-based science test items for 4th and 8th grade English language learners (ELLs). The items promote ELLs’ access to them by incorporating animations, videos, illustrations, roll-overs, model-building capabilities, and various graphic and text organizers, while simultaneously de-emphasizing the use of English. The operational goal of the effort is to structure and present the items’ task demands in a way that maintains the range of content and cognitive complexity of parallel items in traditional, large-scale, multiple-choice and constructed-response tests. Presenters will discuss the results of controlled trials testing ELLs and native speakers in several states on the computer-based items and a set of parallel traditional items. The session will conclude with an interactive discussion on next steps in developing operational forms of core items intended to assess common content standards across states.