Good morning –
I have been getting lots of calls about ACCESS. To save some time, I thought I would share what little I know with the group. You will need to keep this link handy. It takes you to the “Guide to ELP Assessments 2015-16.” We are currently on version 3, so make sure you have the most current data. It appears that is being updated monthly. There is a webinar that was recorded this summer about the upcoming changes. You can access it here.
Your students will need headsets with microphones. WIDA recommends testing no more than 5 students on the speaking portion at a time. The other sections will not require microphones, but will still need headphones.
I will be receiving training and more information from WIDA in mid to late October. I will continually update you when I get information. There will be no live state trainings this year. All test examiners will need to take the online quizzes prior to the beginning of testing. It is still too soon to take the quizzes. Plan for them to be completed in December and make sure your test administrators will have enough time to do what is required.
WIDA AMS logins are going out now and should be to all district test coordinators by September 30, 2015. If you do not have yours by October 1, the district test coordinator will need to call the DRC WIDA helpdesk (855-787-9615) and they will set you up.
I am getting a lot of questions about what test version to order. As you know there are no more tiers. The on-line test will adjust based upon the questions the student answers correctly. The paper version does not have that option. We have been told that the on-line test will be more accurate and quicker to administer. Since we did MAP on-line last year, all districts have the capability to do on-line testing. If you hear something in trainings about not being technologically prepared, this DOES NOT APPLY to Missouri.
I asked Drew for clarification on paper vs. online and this is what he said:
There really isn’t a tier A anymore… the question they should ask is “Will the level of exposure to technology have an impact student performance?” If yes, then do paper…
Reasons why a student may move from computer based testing to paper/pencil (page 17):
· It is an allowable accommodation for students with disabilities who have it in their IEP/504 plan.
· For students who are new to the country who may not have had access to computers, the district may choose to give the test to the student via paper/pencil.
On-line sample items can be seen here.
Districts should call WIDA (866-276-7735) with questions regarding:
And they should call the DRC WIDA Help Desk (855-787-9615) with questions regarding:
I will be sending more information as I receive it. Drew Linkon at DESE is still the person in the know, but he’s wearing several hats these days and may not be able to get back to you immediately. We will know more as we get closer to the testing window. Patience, grasshoppers.
Enjoy the week!
I have been getting lots of calls about ACCESS. To save some time, I thought I would share what little I know with the group. You will need to keep this link handy. It takes you to the “Guide to ELP Assessments 2015-16.” We are currently on version 3, so make sure you have the most current data. It appears that is being updated monthly. There is a webinar that was recorded this summer about the upcoming changes. You can access it here.
Your students will need headsets with microphones. WIDA recommends testing no more than 5 students on the speaking portion at a time. The other sections will not require microphones, but will still need headphones.
I will be receiving training and more information from WIDA in mid to late October. I will continually update you when I get information. There will be no live state trainings this year. All test examiners will need to take the online quizzes prior to the beginning of testing. It is still too soon to take the quizzes. Plan for them to be completed in December and make sure your test administrators will have enough time to do what is required.
WIDA AMS logins are going out now and should be to all district test coordinators by September 30, 2015. If you do not have yours by October 1, the district test coordinator will need to call the DRC WIDA helpdesk (855-787-9615) and they will set you up.
I am getting a lot of questions about what test version to order. As you know there are no more tiers. The on-line test will adjust based upon the questions the student answers correctly. The paper version does not have that option. We have been told that the on-line test will be more accurate and quicker to administer. Since we did MAP on-line last year, all districts have the capability to do on-line testing. If you hear something in trainings about not being technologically prepared, this DOES NOT APPLY to Missouri.
- The kindergarten test is completely paper and pencil. It has not changed.
- In grades 1-3, the writing portion is only available as paper and pencil. The other portions of the test will be on- line.
- In grades 4-12, all domains default to computer based testing.
- The only students who should take the alternate ACCESS should be students who qualify for MAP-A. If students would not qualify for MAP-A, they should not take the alternate ACCESS, but should take the regular assessment.
I asked Drew for clarification on paper vs. online and this is what he said:
There really isn’t a tier A anymore… the question they should ask is “Will the level of exposure to technology have an impact student performance?” If yes, then do paper…
Reasons why a student may move from computer based testing to paper/pencil (page 17):
· It is an allowable accommodation for students with disabilities who have it in their IEP/504 plan.
· For students who are new to the country who may not have had access to computers, the district may choose to give the test to the student via paper/pencil.
On-line sample items can be seen here.
Districts should call WIDA (866-276-7735) with questions regarding:
- ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Suite Training
- Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 (Paper-based)
- ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Grades 1-12 (Paper-based)
- ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Grades 1-12 (Online Administration)
- Alternate ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Grades 1-12 (Paper-based)
- ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Test Administration Procedures (Online and Paper-based)
- WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT) Screener
- WIDA Standards and Can Do Descriptors
- WIDA Professional Learning
- WIDA Research
- WIDA Website User Accounts
And they should call the DRC WIDA Help Desk (855-787-9615) with questions regarding:
- WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS)
- ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Online and Paper-based Materials Ordering
- ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Online Administration Technology
- DRC Testing Site Manager (TSM)
- DRC INSIGHT (online test software)
- WIDA AMS/ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Online Technical Issues
- ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Data and Reporting
I will be sending more information as I receive it. Drew Linkon at DESE is still the person in the know, but he’s wearing several hats these days and may not be able to get back to you immediately. We will know more as we get closer to the testing window. Patience, grasshoppers.
Enjoy the week!