Administration Guide
Embedded Files
A step-by-step guide to administering assessments using the MLS
🌱 New to the MLS? Check out About the MLS and our Quick Start Guide for a quick overview and to get started.
🐾 Ready to use MLS? View the Using the MLS Platform Guide to learn about the features.
Step 1: Preparing for Proctoring
Step 1: Preparing for Proctoring
📋 You can use our downloadable Preparation Packet to assist with the logistics process.
Page 1 is a worksheet for team organization.
Page 2 is a worksheet for filling out the "Student Registration" form.
Page 3 is a worksheet for filling out the "Assessment Login" form.
📺 Our MLS Preparation Packet video will guide you through the worksheet.
Setting Up & Student Registration
Setting Up & Student Registration
Create an MLS account if your school doesn't have one
1. Click "Apply for an Account"
2. Fill in the basic information: 12-digit BEDS Code, school name, your school email, and password
💡 Check the Apply for an Account section for detailed instructions.
Register student information
1. Click "Register a Student"
2. Fill in the student's demographic, grade level placement, and language background information to register a student.
💡 Check the Student Registration section for detailed instructions.
📋 Page 2 of the Preparation Packet is available to help you gather all the required student information efficiently.
Scheduling the Assessment
Scheduling the Assessment
There are 2 main assessment types: Reading Comprehension and Mathematics.
We recommend starting with the Reading Comprehension assessment.
The Reading Comprehension assessment will give you a baseline understanding of reading skills in the home language. A student's ability to use a home language dictionary and read about other subject areas independently depends on their reading comprehension level.
The Math assessment includes word problems as well as mathematical equations, so the reading comprehension level will play a role in the results of a math assessment.
💡 Check MLS Assessment Types for details.
Ensure you allocate at least 1 hour for the test.
All assessments are self-paced and the amount of time needed for administration depends on the student’s performance.
🕖 Average time taken: 50 minutes
🕖 Estimated time duration: 30min - 2hrs
Confirm your reason for testing in advance. The MLS assessments can be used to identify SIFE or for general literacy evaluation.
💡 If you want to use MLS to identify SIFE students, make sure your student meets the criteria. You can Check SIFE Identification to access the detailed process and resources.
Preparing the Physical Environment & Equipment
Preparing the Physical Environment & Equipment
Make sure:
A quiet room is available for testing
Computer/laptop/tablet setup is complete
The computer or tablet must be connected to the internet
Only one MLS test should be open on a given device at a time. Do not have multiple test tabs open.
The student will need:
Earphones to listen to the instructions and audio prompts
🔈 Ensure students can control the volume
For the math test: Blank paper (scrap paper) and a pencil. No calculator.
🔇 Please ensure that students are in a quiet room with no distractions to complete the test. It may be helpful to place a “Testing in Progress: Do Not Disturb” sign on the door of the testing room.
☕️ Students may need more than one hour to take the test. Make sure they have ample time to complete the assessment. If a student does need to stop for the day, their test progress will be saved.
⏱️Assessments are self paced. If there are multiple students in a single testing environment please note that some may finish before others.
Step 2: Proctoring an MLS Assessment
Step 2: Proctoring an MLS Assessment
Choose the Assessment Type: Reading Comprehension, Math, or Vocabulary
Choose the Assessment Type: Reading Comprehension, Math, or Vocabulary
You can directly access these assessments from the landing page; it will prompt you to log in if you haven't already.
After you have entered your BEDS code and password, fill out the assessment details in the [Assessment Login] form. It will ask for proctor name, language, and student.
💡 Check the Log In to the Assessment section for detailed instructions.
📋 Page 3 of our Preparation Packet is an Assessment Worksheet, created to help collect information you'll need to fill out the assessment log in form.
Results are most accurate if students can complete the test within 1 sitting. If the student cannot complete the test in a single school day you may close the test and resume it at a later time. Re-submit the assessment form and students can begin again from the passage they last saw. Partial results are not available for students who do not complete the test.
Proctor's Technology Check
Proctor's Technology Check
Before allowing the student to begin the assessment, proctors may want to ensure their device is working properly. When filling out an "Assessment Login" form (shown right), proctors may choose to "Check box to run a sound/display check and view a practice test". Doing so and clicking "Start Practice" will begin a three part example test:
1) An audio clip will play in the language selected. Use this feature to ensure that your sound and display are working appropriately.
2) An example of the student computer literacy check will run (this will only run if the language selected is an updated assessment - check here to view a list of updated languages).
3) A practice passage and series of questions will run. This is for proctors to get an idea of what an assessment experience will be like for the student (this will run for all tests).
Whenever you are satisfied with the technology check, close the tab. On the original tab you will still see the "Assessment Login" form, and you will still be logged in. Uncheck the "check box to run a sound/display check and view a practice test" box and resume filling out the form.
Proctor's Technology Check
Student's Computer Literacy Check
Student's Computer Literacy Check
It is important to determine whether the student has adequate digital skills to take the MLS (e.g. clicking and scrolling). Some newcomer students have had limited access to digital technologies (e.g. smartphones, computers, and internet access).
For this reason we have begun updating reading comprehension assessments to include a "computer literacy check". In our updated languages students will see and hear a question at the beginning of the test in the target language asking them to "select the pencil". They will be given three picture choices. If a student cannot complete this section, it will end automatically and display a message stating that the assessment is not appropriate for the student at this time.
💡 Check What's New with our Assessments? for detailed feature updates.
Student's Computer Literacy Check
❗️If you encounter any issues during the test, visit Troubleshooting Issues During the Test or contact support for assistance.
📌 If students are unable to proceed past this section, computerized testing is not a good option for that student at that time. Some students who struggle with a mouse or trackpad may be able to use a touch screen device if one is available.
Step 3: Follow Up After Administering MLS Assessments
Step 3: Follow Up After Administering MLS Assessments
View Student performance reports
View Student performance reports
Once an assessment is completed, administrators can download and view the report by logging in and clicking on the "Access Student Performance Reports" button. The page will display a table of registered students (organized by school if on a district account) and links to their performance reports.
For more information about navigating the table visit Using the MLS Platform - Reports.
To view a page breakdown of what you'll find in a report, visit the Student Performance Reports page.
Update Student Information
Update Student Information
Proctors will be contacted via email to update or input this information on the “Existing Students” table if it has not already been completed:
Student’s Final SIFE Determination
Student’s NYSSIS or OSIS number
Student's school placement (for district accounts)
Click [Existing Students] in the Student Information panel to update student information.
💡 Check Updating Existing Student Information for detailed instructions.
Student Performance Reports
Edit Student Information
Final SIFE Determination
Final SIFE Determination
Final SIFE determination is not based only on an MLS score. To identify student as SIFE or not you may need:
Home Language Questionnaire and the SIFE Oral Interview response
MLS results (Check Student Performance Reports for more detail instructions)
Transcript data
Writing screener results
🔍 Check SIFE Identification to access the detailed process and resources
💡 You may also reach out to your regional RBERN or OBEWL@nysed.gov for support on best practices for identifying SIFE students.
📌 Please note that the MLS system is entirely separate from ATS or any other district-specific reporting systems. SIFE status must be put into any district reporting system separately from this process.
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