End of Course (EOC) Projects for English Language Learners (ELL)

To: Superintendents, District Test Coordinators, and Special Education Directors

From: Maridyth McBee, Assistant State Superintendent of Assessment and Accountability, Rene Axtell, Assistant State Superintendent of Special Education Services, Kerri White, Assistant State Superintendent of Educational Support, Ramona Coats, Assistant State Superintendent of Federal Programs

Date: February 28, 2013

RE: End of Course (EOC) Projects for English Language Learners (ELL)

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has been in a state of transition to the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) since the adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in the Spring of 2010.  World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) assessments for ELL students has been used to fulfill the English language proficiency (ELP) test requirement under both Titles I and III as well as to calculate Title III’s Annual Measureable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs). The purpose of this memo is to outline additional ACE End of Course project options for ELL students.

Some English Language Learners may be unable to demonstrate content specific proficiency through current assessments due to a language barrier. They need additional options for appropriately showing their knowledge and skills in order to meet ACE graduation requirements. The End of Course Project options developed for English II and III are intended to better meet these students’ needs and better ensure that they are able to successfully meet ACE graduation requirements.

End of Course projects have been developed into three separate categories. Students on IEPs (for all subjects) and LIEPs (for English II and III)* who may struggle to show their knowledge and skills through a standardized assessment will have more options to fulfill ACE graduation requirements.

• Category A: These projects will be available to all students, including students with disabilities and English Language Learners. 
• Category B: These projects will only be available to students on an IEP or an LIEP. The IEP or LIEP team must make a determination that this project is appropriate for a student based upon the student's individual needs. IEP students will be allowed this option for all subjects. Students on an LIEP are only allowed this option for English II and III.
• Category C: These projects will only be available to students on an IEP who participate in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP).

What do these changes mean for English Language Learners?

• Core Instruction should focus on the new Oklahoma C3 Standards.
• Instruction for English Language Learners should focus on the WIDA English Language Development standards and the new Oklahoma C3 Standards
• English Language Learner status should not be the determining factor in selecting Category B or C projects. Assessment selections should be based on the individual needs of a student.

*For all other EOI subject areas – US History, Biology, Algebra I and II, and Geometry, ELL students will still be offered the option of these assessments being read in their native language as well as the option of the Category A project.