MEPA Results Highlight Progress in English Acquisition Among LEP Students

BOSTON - The more time that non-native speakers spend in Massachusetts public schools, the better they are learning to read, write, speak and listen in English, according to results of the first-ever Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA).

The assessment was administered for the first time in the fall and spring of the 2004-2005 school year, to evaluate the English proficiency of all limited English proficient (LEP) students in the four areas.

"In many ways, our ability as educators to significantly improve the academic achievement of LEP students is the real test of the nation's public schools," said Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll. "Next to Chapter 766, the implementation of Question 2 was the most significant change in the history of public education in this state. As a result, we are building a much needed system of standards and assessments for our LEP students, who have for far too long been an overlooked part of our student population."

The English proficiency of LEP students in grades K-12 is required to be tested annually by state and federal law. Students in grades 3-12 are tested in reading and writing, and students in grades K-12 are tested in speaking and listening.

Overall performance is reported in four categories - Beginning, Early Intermediate, Intermediate and Transitioning - and scaled scores, ranging from 300 to 400.

Unlike the MCAS exam, students do not pass or fail the MEPA. Results will be used by educators to help determine a student's English proficiency level, and to determine if he or she is fluent enough to be transitioned out of LEP status. Parent/Guardian reports, available in 10 languages including English, are also sent home to help parents better understand their child's skill level in English.

According to the results, the percentage of students who performed at Transitioning level was significantly higher in spring of 2005 than in fall of 2004 in all grades. Teachers may determine that students who perform at the Transitioning level no longer need to be classified as LEP.

Among the results:

District results

While results differed district to district, many large urban communities saw dramatic improvement in the percentage of students scoring in Transitioning by the spring administration. Among them:

• In Boston, the percent of students in Transitioning rose to 47 from 22 in grades 3 and 4; to 16 from 10 in grades 5 and 6; to 11 from 9 in grades 7 and 8; and to 21 from 15 in grades 9-12.
• In Brockton, the percent of students in Transitioning rose to 49 from 26 in grades 3 and 4; to 49 from 33 in grades 5 and 6; to 18 from 8 in grades 7 and 8; and to 24 from 14 in grades 9-12.
• In New Bedford, the percent of students in Transitioning rose to 35 from 10 in grades 3 and 4; to 26 from 1 in grades 5 and 6; to 13 from 7 in grades 7 and 8; and to 24 from 16 in grades 9-12.
• In Worcester, the percent of students in Transitioning rose to 36 from 17 in grades 3 and 4; to 31 from 18 in grades 5 and 6; to 22 from 13 in grades 7 and 8; and to 25 from 15 in grades 9-12.

Overall: Grades 3 and 4

• Nearly 9,000 students were tested in these grades, including about 7,000 of whom have been in the U.S. for three years or more.
• This grade span had the largest change in students performing at the Transitioning level: 50 percent of all students in these grades scored in Transitioning in Spring 2005, up from 26 percent in Fall 2004.
• 59 percent of first year LEP students scored in Beginning in Spring 2005, down from 79 percent in Fall 2004.

Overall: Grades 5 and 6

• 6,100 students were tested in these grades in the Fall and 6,700 were tested in these grades in the Spring. The majority of the test-takers have been in the U.S. for three years or more.
• First year students showed significant progress over the course of the year: in Spring 2005 9 percent scored in Transitioning, up from 2 percent; 14 percent scored in Intermediate, up from 10 percent; 14 percent scored in Early Intermediate, up from 9 percent; and 63 percent scored in Beginning, down from 79 percent.

Overall: Grades 7 and 8

• Nearly 5,400 students were tested in these grades in the Fall and nearly 6,000 were tested in these grades in the Spring. About 4,000 of the test-takers have been in the U.S. for three years or more.
• Second year students showed the most progress over the course of the year, among students in these two grades: in Spring 2005, 20 percent scored in Transitioning, up from 12 percent; 28 percent scored in Intermediate, up from 22 percent; 21 percent scored in Early Intermediate, up from 18 percent, and 31 percent scored in Beginning, down from 48 percent.

Overall: Grades 9-12

• About 9,200 students were tested in these grades in the Fall and more than 9,500 were tested in these grades in the Spring. Nearly 6,000 of the test-takers have been in the U.S. for three years or more.
• First year students showed some progress over the course of the year: 18 percent scored in Transitioning in spring 2005, up from 12 percent; 19 percent scored in Intermediate, up from 14 percent, 14 percent scored in Early Intermediate, up from 12 percent and 49 percent scored in Beginning, down from 62 percent.

In all, participation rates ranged from 96 percent in grades 3-4 to 92 percent for students in grades 9-12.

All students were tested over a three-week period in October 2004 and March 2005. Each test took about 90 minutes. From now on, only students who have not previously taken the MEPA will be assessed twice each year, all others will only be tested annually each spring, as long as they are classified as LEP.

This test was developed to comply with both state and federal laws that require the assessment of all LEP students. Title III of No Child Left Behind requires states to report annually on the English proficiency and progress of all LEP students. Additionally, Chapter 386 of the Massachusetts Acts of 2002 (known as "Question 2") requires all the annual assessment of all English language learners in the state.

For more information on MEPA, and to view all school and district results, look online at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/mepa/.

	Statewide Results: Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA)
	2004-05 MEPA School, District, and State Results for Grades 3 and 4
	2004-05 MEPA School, District, and State Results for Grades 5 and 6
	2004-05 MEPA School, District, and State Results for Grades 7 and 8
	2004-05 MEPA School, District, and State Results for Grades 9 through 12