Assessment

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT

Annual State English Language Proficiency Assessment: PDE is a member of the multi-state World Class Instruction Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium. The WIDA Consortium developed an assessment entitled Assessing Communication and Comprehension in English State to State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs). The Pennsylvania Department of Education uses the ACCESS for ELLs as the required instrument for the annual assessment of English language proficiency. Access for ELLs is a standards-based, criterion referenced English language proficiency test designed to measure English language learners' proficiency in English. It assesses social and instructional English as well as the language associated with Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies within the school context across the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing. For more information on ordering and administering the ACCESS for ELLs assessment, please see the resource documents in the yellow box. 

ACCESS for ELs Test Security Procedures: The security of state administered assessments is of the utmost importance in regard to the PDE assessment and accountability system. The Bureau of Assessment and Accountability has outlined the state's expectations and procedures on test booklet security, test administration security, and the identification and reporting of test security violations.  Breaches in test security must be quickly identified and reported to PDE.  

Alternate ACCESS for ELLs: The Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is an assessment of English language proficiency (ELP) for students in grades 1-12 who are classified as English Learners (ELs) and have significant cognitive disabilities that prevent their meaningful participation in the ACCESS for ELLs® assessment.

ACADEMIC ASSESSMENTS

ELs also participate in academic assessments with allowed accommodations. For current guidance on testing requirements and allowed accommodations for ELs, please reference the current PSSA and Keystone Accommodation Guidelines at the PSSA Resources section of PDE's website.

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) includes assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics which are taken by students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Students in grades 4 and 8 are administered the Science PSSA. 

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in various subjects. The Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania's proposed system of high school graduation requirements. 

Proficiency Project are alternative sents for students who are unable to pass the Keystone Exam.

PA Act 158, signed into law on October 24, 2018, expands upon the options that students have for meeting Pennsylvania’s graduation requirements.  In the Fox Chapel Area School District, students must still show proficiency in Algebra, Literature, and Biology in order to meet local graduation requirements in addition to the provisions indicated in the Act 158 law.

Multiple Criteria to Consider Prior to Assessing

It is important at this time to ask additional questions and to examine multiple criteria to determine if formal assessment of the student’s level of English language proficiency is warranted. The goal is to establish a true picture of the student’s educational background, literacy skills and prior school experiences.

Information can be gathered from additional questionnaires, meetings with parents/caregivers, meetings with students, and examination of documents pertaining to the student’s prior education. Questionnaires should be presented in the preferred language of the parents/caregivers to the extent possible and meetings should include a qualified interpreter and ESL staff member.

Additional questions for parents/caregivers might include the following:

• How many years did your child attend school in your native country? In the United States?

• What grade was your child in at the last school he/she attended?

• What language does your child most frequently speak at home?

• What language do you use most frequently to speak to your child?

• What is the language spoken most often by the adults in the home?

• Can your child read in your native language? How well?

• Can your child write in your native language? How well?

Examples of relevant documents from the child’s prior education include the following:

• Standardized test scores

• Oral interviews

• Kindergarten screening

• Report card grades

• Pre-school performance reports

Any school records and experiences that the parent(s)/caregiver(s) can provide serve as an asset in development of the student’s culturally responsive academic plan.

Exemption Criteria for Placement in an Instructional Program for ELs

According to the Basic Education Circular, Educating Students With Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and English Learners (Els), there are certain scenarios that may preclude assessment if a student can demonstrate English language proficiency (ELP).

Students should meet two of the following three criteria to be exempted from a formal ELP assessment. Student records for children from other states or school systems can be considered as part of the criteria.

• Final grades of B or better in core subject areas (mathematics, language arts, science and social studies)

• Scores on district-wide assessments that are comparable to the Basic performance level on the PSSA

• Scores of basic in reading, writing and math on the PSSA or an equivalent assessment from another state