Projects
Enhanced Assessment Instruments for English Language Learners (WIDA Consortium Project)
Funders: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction; University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Center for Educational Research
May 2003 – December 2007
CAL developed and maintains assessments used annually to measure the English language proficiency of English language learners in Grades K-12 as mandated by the No Child Left Behind legislation. CAL plays the lead role for the WIDA Consortium in developing items and analyzing item performance for the ACCESS for ELLs® test. This test of English language proficiency for students in Grades K-12 is currently administered annually to about 450,000 English language learners in the 15 states in the WIDA Consortium. CAL also supports test development and administration through innovative computer-based training classes for item writers and test administrators. In addition, CAL has developed a computer-based professional development course under the acronym CLIMBS, which focuses on helping teachers of English language learners interweave the WIDA English language development standards with sheltered instruction methods. CAL is also developing a computer-based test of science and math for students with low levels of English proficiency. This alternative test, ONPAR, will allow students to demonstrate their content knowledge with a test instrument sensitive to their lower proficiency in English.
Learn more about the WIDA Consortium.