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Pre-Test FAQs
What is the preLAS Online?
What is the preLAS Online?
The preLAS Online is language proficiency assessment consisting of an Oral Language component in English and Spanish for preK3-, preK4-, and Kindergarten students. Test results are used to:
•Identify and place English Language Learners (EL’s) in appropriate classroom settings
•Measure the developing language of first-language learners of Spanish
•Individually administered assessment
•Takes approximately 15 minutes to administer
Click HERE for more information.
What materials do I need to have to conduct preLAS Online testing?
What materials do I need to have to conduct preLAS Online testing?
Must have:
Student Test Licenses (in the portal)
Cue Picture Book
Optional:
Examiner's Guide
Audio CD/PDF of Audio Files
Game Board (if administering the pre-literacy component)
How do I gain access to preLAS Online?
How do I gain access to preLAS Online?
Once your LEA has submitted a purchase order to DRC, within 7-10 business days your POC will be notified that preLAS Online has been added to your INSIGHT account.
How do I give other Users access to preLAS Online?
How do I give other Users access to preLAS Online?
If they are current LAS Links Online users, you may quickly "associate" them to preLAS Online. Guidance may be found in the Professional Development section of www.LASLinks.com/Texas.
If they are new to INSIGHT, you will add them as Users to the portal. Guidance is found in the preLAS Online and LAS Links Online digital library found in the Professional Development section of www.LASLinks.com/Texas.
Is there anything our IT department needs to update our system to allow for preLAS Online testing?
Is there anything our IT department needs to update our system to allow for preLAS Online testing?
Yes, they need to update the current COS configuration to enable preLAS Online content. Guidance may be found found in the Professional Development section of www.LASLinks.com/Texas.
Test Administration FAQs
Is there "special" test administration guidance during COVID-19?
Is there "special" test administration guidance during COVID-19?
Yes. The TEA/DRC LAS Test Administration guidance during COVID-19 can be found in the Professional Development section of our website: www.laslinks.com/Texas
For preLAS, alternate prompts are provided for both the paper and online assessments.
How many times may we prompt the student?
How many times may we prompt the student?
For preLAS, you may prompt no more than two times for all items.
How long do we wait for the student to respond after they have been prompted?
How long do we wait for the student to respond after they have been prompted?
The test administrator should wait no more than 3-5 seconds for the student to respond.
What form(s) of the preLAS do we administer for the purpose of English learner identification?
What form(s) of the preLAS do we administer for the purpose of English learner identification?
preLAS English Form C (paper or online)
preLAS Español Form C (paper or online) - if you have a bilingual program (see Chapter 89 for more information)
When are we able to stop due to insufficient language?
When are we able to stop due to insufficient language?
If the student has failed or does not respond to, any five consecutive items, including the practice items, stop testing in that part and move on to the next part of the test.
If the student misses or does not respond to five consecutive items in two consecutive parts, stop the test.
For preLAS, any of the sections/parts of the test can be given at any point, correct?
For preLAS, any of the sections/parts of the test can be given at any point, correct?
Correct. If you start testing but need to stop for whatever reason, you may resume testing when ready.
Does the test administrator need to transcribe the students' exact answers in the Let's Tell Stories section?
Does the test administrator need to transcribe the students' exact answers in the Let's Tell Stories section?
Yes, except you may omit the home language words by indicating those words with "HL".
Are we allowed to record the student on a recording device for part 5: Let's Tell Stories?
Are we allowed to record the student on a recording device for part 5: Let's Tell Stories?
Yes, but make sure you transcribe/type in their answer into the test interface before submitting the test for scoring/reporting. You then must delete the recording in a reasonable amount of time.
Are there different rubrics based on grade/age levels?
Are there different rubrics based on grade/age levels?
The preLAS rubrics are the same across preK3 - K. The LAS Links rubrics are the same from 1 -12 for Speaking and 2-12 for Writing.
For preLAS, when may we stop the test due to insufficient language?
For preLAS, when may we stop the test due to insufficient language?
If the student has failed or does not respond to, any five consecutive items, including the practice items, stop testing in that part and move on to the next part of the test.
If the student misses or does not respond to five consecutive items in two consecutive parts, stop the test.
Please refer to page 14 of the Examiner's Manual for more information.
In LAS Links, "I don't know" is a score of 0 but in preLAS "I don't know" is a 1, correct?
In LAS Links, "I don't know" is a score of 0 but in preLAS "I don't know" is a 1, correct?
That is correct. Also, the "I don't know" has to be in the language of the test.
Do we literally stop the telling of the story if they are saying it in another language?
Do we literally stop the telling of the story if they are saying it in another language?
Yes, and you may remind them one additional time to tell you in English but then if they start again in their HL, you may stop the telling of the story and indicate this by writing (HL) at the end of their story indicating that the rest is in their HL.
A test administrator is only allowed to model the correct response for the practice items, correct?
A test administrator is only allowed to model the correct response for the practice items, correct?
A test administrator may model the response after each practice response if the student doesn't respond or responds incorrectly. Once you have moved to #1 in that part of the test, you no longer may model the response/give the student the correct answer.
In Say What You Hear, if the student says "Do not forget" as opposed to "Don't forget", is it correct?
In Say What You Hear, if the student says "Do not forget" as opposed to "Don't forget", is it correct?
Do not forget is correct as the answer provides the negative command which is the structure tested for that particular item.
For the English test, may directions be given in Spanish?
For the English test, may directions be given in Spanish?
No. Directions must be given in the language of the test.
When a student gives an isolated word in Let's Tell Stories that does not relate to the prompt but is an English word, do we mark it as a 1? Or 0?
When a student gives an isolated word in Let's Tell Stories that does not relate to the prompt but is an English word, do we mark it as a 1? Or 0?
A zero. It must relate to the prompt to receive a 1. A caveat for preLAS (not LAS Links) is that if the student provides a verbal expression such as "Good morning" , "How are you" and/or "I don't know", you may give this response a 1.
May we prompt students to continue to tell their story in Let's Tell Stories?
May we prompt students to continue to tell their story in Let's Tell Stories?
You may and this is considered their second prompt.
Is there a Spanish component to the preLAS?
Is there a Spanish component to the preLAS?
The preLAS Español is a separate stand alone assessment from the English form(s) of the tests.
Can the preLAS be utilized to assess 6 year olds?
Can the preLAS be utilized to assess 6 year olds?
Yes, if the 6 year old is a Kindergartener. If they are in First Grade (or going into First Grade) they must be given LAS Links.
Our new technology does not have CD drives anymore. What options do you have available to play the audio files?
Our new technology does not have CD drives anymore. What options do you have available to play the audio files?
DRC has posted audio files to our INSIGHT portal for download in the "General Information" section under the "Documents" tab. You will still receive the cd's in your kits as we are unable to remove them and repackage the kits.
Using the CD/Audio Files is up to each district to decide?
Using the CD/Audio Files is up to each district to decide?
Correct.
May we administer the preLAS during the spring semester for our PK students to use for EOY LPACs?
May we administer the preLAS during the spring semester for our PK students to use for EOY LPACs?
Yes! preLAS Form D is a perfect option for this use.
What is the turn around time to get results when taking the test online? Paper?
What is the turn around time to get results when taking the test online? Paper?
For online, 30-60 minutes from test completion to reporting
For paper, you will score locally immediately following the completion of the test.
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