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NSTA 2009

Abstract

Title: “Meeting the Needs of the Digital Student”

The ONPAR assessment is a computer-based, low-language, highly-visual mathematics and science assessment for ELLs designed to be comparable to NCLB compliant exams while increasing the validity and reliability of these assessments. Animations, detailed graphics, innovative item types, animated icons, rollovers, and purposeful user interface designs are used to accurately assess a range of cognitive abilities used in science while minimizing language demands.

We will present research findings on the comparability of ONPAR to the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) math and science assessments. These studies also examined the effectiveness of ONPAR on native English speakers, and on students with varying levels of English proficiency. An analysis of the efficacy of our customized user interface, innovative item types, and multiple methods of language support will be presented. Low language versions of ONPAR with Korean, Spanish, or English text to audio features will be compared with very low language versions which had no text to audio. In addition, strategies used to analyze and create ONPAR items such as item deconstructions and the development process will be presented.