ELP Assessment Update October 5, 2021
Many districts are winding up their screening and settling into the rhythm of school and fall testing. It has been a difficult start to the year and we are all getting through it. Soon we will be rewarded with the autumn colors and crisp mornings. Below we have added some information around new Zoom sessions, TK students, and training.
OSPI is revising guidance around Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students who may potentially be English learners for the 2021-22 school year. Keeping in mind that the WIDA Kindergarten Screener was not validated for children under 5, we are offering two options for students in Transitional Kindergarten.
Option 1: Testing & Funding
Students in TK can be tested on the WIDA Kindergarten Screener following the guidance and eligibility criteria for kindergarten. If TK students are identified as eligible for English Language Development (ELD) services, the district can include these students in their P223 count for TBIP funding as they would for a kindergarten student who is eligible for ELD services. These students, as eligible English learners, will need to take the Kindergarten ACCESS assessment in spring 2022. These students do not need to screen again when they enter kindergarten.
Option 2: Wait until Kindergarten
Students in TK can complete their TK year without being tested for ELD services. However, they must still be provided with appropriate services to meet their English language development needs and ensure meaningful access to content instruction. In this case, these students would not generate any TBIP funding, and they would also not be required to take the Kindergarten ACCESS assessment in the spring. These students must screen when they enter kindergarten.
If a district has already screened TK students this fall and prefers option 2, please withhold from entering TK students into CEDARS as eligible for ELD services and correct your P223 count accordingly.
We are currently experiencing a large volume of requests to reset tests or unlock scoring based on mistakes or uncertainty around process. Please check in with your test administrators and make sure they are confident and careful in the test administration and scoring processes. If you have any technical concerns, please contact DRC for guidance. If you do need to request that a test be reset or scoring be unlocked, please send an email to ELPAssessments@k12.wa.us with the SSID, and explanation of the scenario and the request.
As screening began in August, we developed a process for unlocking scoring and resetting tests. We have tried to respond to every request but suspect that some requests were missed as we established our processes. If you have made a request to reset a test or unlock scoring and that request was not resolved, please resend your email to ELPAssessments@k12.wa.us with the subject line ‘Repeat Request.” Thank you for your patience as we work through these new processes.
OSPI will continue hosting Zoom meetings on Mondays to answer questions and connect districts to one another for idea and experience sharing. These are informal meetings where you can bring your questions and enjoy the fun as we explore the new and exciting world that is WIDA assessments.
October 11 at 2:00 pm (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87449888394)
October 18 at 2:00 pm (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83404552551)
Please note both of the meetings above are at 2:00 instead of the regular noon meeting time. The noon time on these days conflicts with other schedule events.
October 25 at noon (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83544872012)
November 1 at noon (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87037220192)
November 8 at noon (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87278513823)
I've had the opportunity to connect with many of you over the last few years and months as we navigate through testing windows and new assessments. This fall has offered a particular challenge for a variety of reasons. I am grateful for the patience you have shown me, and I value the advice and requests you all have made as you share the difficulties and complications you are experiencing in your districts. The experiences you share help me understand more clearly what is needed in the district. That you for taking the time to help me learn and improve as we move forward.
|
