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ACCESS for ELLs

ELL Assessment Update: ACCESS for ELLs Concordance Tables and Webinar Announcements

To:Principals, District ELL Program Directors, and ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinators
From:Dan Wiener, Administrator of Inclusive Assessment
Alexis Glick, ELL Assessment Coordinator
Bridgette Kelly, Educational Specialist
Date:February 27, 2017

ACCESS for ELLs Concordance Tables for 2016 Results

WIDA has recently made available Concordance Tables in Excel spreadsheet format to allow schools and districts to compare the 2016 ACCESS for ELLs reported domain scores with the scores that would have been reported if the new score scale adjustments had been applied, based on the standard setting research conducted in summer and fall 2016. In addition to the tables, the Department has posted a memo with Guidance for Using the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Concordance Tables. Information contained in the tables is for diagnostic purposes only. No scores will be changed and no action by schools or districts is required regarding the score scale adjustments. The updated score scales will be applied to the 2017 results. The concordance tables for 2016 ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 show both the reported scores and the scores after three changes were applied: 1) the results of the standard setting study that reflect the increased level of test difficulty for all domains of ACCESS 2.0; 2) the score scale adjustments for online versus paper-based administrations; and 3) the introduction of a new Speaking test which requires a new score scale.

Related Webinars Planned:
ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Anticipated Score Changes in 2017 / Re-Interpreting ACCESS Proficiency Levels

WIDA will be offering two webinars for school and district staff who work with ELL students to:
  • explain the reasons for anticipated changes in students' proficiency level scores in 2017 due to applying new score scale adjustments; and
  • provide suggestions for communicating this information to students, families, administrators, and other educators. Webinars will be held on:
March 10, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Event link March 14, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Event link These webinars are included in the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 webinar schedule. Please contact Student Assessment Services with any questions about ACCESS for ELLs testing at ACCESS@doe.mass.edu or by phone at 781-338-3625. Thank you for your attention to this information.



Last Updated: February 27, 2017



 
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