NCEO Improving the Validity of Assessment Results for English Language Learners with Disabilities
Project Description:
As part of the Improving the Validity of Assessment Results for English Language Learners with Disabilities (IVARED) project, the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) will collaborate with a consortium of states to address the validity of assessment results of English language learners (ELLs) with disabilities in statewide accountability assessments. The consortium, led by the Minnesota Department of Education and NCEO, will include staff from the Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona and Washington state departments of education.
The IVARED team will examine state data, policies, and practices for ELLs with disabilities to achieve the following objectives: (1) Identify and describe each state's population of ELLs with disabilities and relate those descriptions to students' assessment performance; (2) Describe students' inclusion in state assessment participation and performance policies; (3) Identify, via expert panel, promising practices for participation, accommodations, and test score interpretation decisions; (4) Strengthen the knowledge base of assessment decision makers to improve assessment decisions; and (5) Disseminate project results within states and nationally. Through these activities, the five consortia states will be able to develop validity arguments for their assessments and assessment practices for ELLs with disabilities and by doing so will enhance the quality of assessment systems for measuring the achievement of these students.
The materials developed through these objectives will become the basis for an online training module on large-scale assessment of ELLs with disabilities that can be customized to each state's specific requirements. The online training module and other project materials will be shared with other state departments of education through publications and presentations at professional meetings.
Keyword(s):
Assessment, Accountability, English Language Learners with Disabilities
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Target Audience:
Legislators/Policy Makers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Other
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
