Question of the Week
Q: What training and materials are available for the Spring 2023 ACT state administration?
A: KDE and ACT have collaborated on new resources for the Spring 2023 Junior State ACT Administration. The ACT/OAA Spring 2023 State Administration Guidance Document is now available on the KDE ACT page. This guidance document covers KDE policy and frequently asked questions pertaining to the ACT State Administration. In addition to the guidance document, the ACT/OAA Spring 2023 State Administration Training has been recorded, and the training video and PowerPoint have been uploaded to the ACT-hosted website. For questions or concerns, please contact Shara Savage.
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Field Test 2022-2023 Reminders
World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) wanted to check in and share some reminders on the Alternate ACCESS Field Test, which opens on Feb. 14, 2023.
- The Alternate ACCESS Field Test webpage is the number one spot to find information on the field test. It tells district/school coordinators and test administrators what they need to know before, during, and after testing.
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Alternate ACCESS Field Test Q&A Webinar on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. CT. This is an opportunity to get your field test questions answered! Go to the Webinars page in the WIDA Secure Portal for more information.
- Field test training information and related quiz questions are included in the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs: Administration and Scoring training course in the WIDA Secure Portal. This training content should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.
- Check the WIDA Supporting Success for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities Facebook group page and @AdvALTELLA on Twitter for answers to popular field test questions as part of the Ask Candoo series. (ICYMI: Candoo is our field test dog.)
New WIDA Focus Bulletin on ‘Educational Justice Through Policy’
In this new WIDA Focus Bulletin, authors Mariana Castro, Samuel Aguirre, and Nelson Flores, examine the unintended consequences of policy decisions in the education of bi/multilingual learners. Read Educational Justice Through Policy in English or en español to get a historical overview of these policies, the issues uncovered through research and ideas from practitioners in the field who are facing similar challenges.
Reminder: ACCESS for ELLs Braille Material Updates for 2022-2023
As districts and schools begin receiving ACCESS for ELLs test materials, please remember the following updates for braille materials in 2022-23:
- Districts will receive sample items and a sample items user guide with each braille kit. Districts need to remove sample items from the material boxes as soon as the kits arrive, so test administrators and students have time to use them to become familiar with the braille assessment. Sample items and the sample items user guide are not considered secure test materials and should not be returned to DRC; these materials may be kept by the district.
- Sample items and sample items user guides have been added to the ACCESS Test Practice and Sample Items page on the WIDA website in four grade clusters: 1-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
Reminder: Participate in an ACCESS for ELLs Event
Every year, we ask the WIDA community to participate in events and activities that help us review and refresh our assessment tools.
The ACCESS for ELLs assessments is taken by a diverse population of students speaking many languages: students in big cities and in rural areas, students new to the United States, and students born here. WIDA and the test development partners work hard to create an assessment that:
- Reflects the diversity of multilingual learners
- Positively portrays students with a range of backgrounds
- Carefully avoids topics or situations that may evoke a negative reaction
While WIDA works to do these things throughout test development via events such as bias, sensitivity and content reviews, classroom observations, surveys, expert panels, and field testing, WIDA knows that our perspective is by nature incomplete. For this reason, WIDA invites educators to participate in review of test content in development. WIDA values the fresh eyes, unique perspectives, and range of experiences that educators bring to items, and WIDA revises test items based on this input from the field.
If educators would like to contribute to WIDA test development work, please visit the Building a WIDA Assessment page to learn more and apply.
Predict Performance on ACCESS for ELLs
ACCESS for ELLs is right around the corner – are your multilingual learners on track to progress?
Interim assessment data gathered from WIDA MODEL can be used to predict performance on ACCESS for ELLs, helping educators determine if students are on the right track prior to taking their annual summative English language proficiency assessment. Because WIDA MODEL provides real-time data (no waiting to get your scores back), educators can make immediate adjustments to instructional support for students who need additional assistance or have progressed and need a new level of support.
Watch the recorded webinar or visit the WIDA MODEL page on WIDA website to learn more about the value of interim ELP assessment data and how it can be used to support instructional planning decisions for multilingual learners.
Customer Service Hours for Week of Nov. 21
WIDA Client Services and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) Customer Service will observe the following hours of operation.
- Monday, Nov. 21 through Wednesday, Nov. 23: Open from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. CT
- Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25: Closed
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