Hi Everyone,

There is an informal discussion on the Assessment list this week about the changes in ESOL Level Descriptors.

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See below for a description from Marie Cora.

All the best
Julie

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Good morning, afternoon, and evening to you all.  I hope this email finds you well.

I wanted to let everyone know that during this week, Larry Condelli from AIR (American Institutes of Research), who works with the NRS, and Sarah Young, from CAL (Center for Applied Linguistics) who works with BEST Plus will be available to answer any questions you might have regarding the changes in ESOL Level Descriptors, which go into effect this summer (this month I believe).  I also encourage anyone who has questions regarding other ESOL tests (CASAS or EFF for example) to join in this Q&A.  Because the Level Descriptors have been adjusted, the tests used to track learning gains also have undergone some shifting and it is important that we understand what these changes are.  

Larry and Sarah will be present on the List during this week, but perhaps intermittently *€“ replies may not come immediately.  I encourage you to post your question to the List, or to send your question to me for posting, if you prefer that.  

Larry, Sarah, and others working with any of the ESOL tests *€“ feel free to jump in and give us a thumbnail sketch of what the changes are and how they might affect our work in programs and with students.

The NRS homepage is located at:  http://www.nrsweb.org/

To view information on the NRS Level Descriptors, please go to:  http://www.nrsweb.org/reports/NewESLdescriptors.pdf

At the bottom of the NRS homepage, see also:  NRS Changes for Program Year 2006

Thanks so much *€“ I*€™m looking forward to understanding this information, and hearing what folks questions are regarding the changes.

Marie T. Cora
Assessment Discussion List Moderator
marie.cora at hotspurpartners.com

 



Julie McKinney
Discussion List Moderator
World Education/NCSALL
jmckinney at worlded.org