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2010 Campus Test Coordinator Training

LAT (Linguistically Adapted Testing)

April 20, 2010Trainer – John Thornell

Executive Director of AssessmentHays Consolidated Independent School District

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What is LAT?

• LAT means “Linguistically Accommodated Testing” and involves providing linguistic accommodations during TAKS testing to assist students in overcoming language barriers which provides a more meaningful assessment of academic knowledge and skills.

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Why Do We Do LAT Testing?• To meet NCLB requirements for testing all students

including English language learners (ELL) who have very limited English language skills that are exempt from state TAKS testing under state law.

• Therefore the only grades and subjects where LAT testing exists are those grades and subjects required by NCLB. (Grades 3-8 & 10, reading and math. Grades 5, 8, & 10 in science.)

• There is no LAT testing for grades 9, 11, or 12 for any subject.

• There is no LAT testing for social studies or writing at any grade.

• Even though NCLB requires science testing, it is not currently used in determining AYP ratings.

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• The English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) require school districts to linguistically accommodate the instruction of English Language Learners (ELLs) in all subjects

• Only allowable linguistic accommodations that have been used routinely in instruction and assessment may be afforded to students during their LAT administration

• Linguistic accommodations used on LAT must be documented in the student’s LPAC paperwork.

LAT Accommodations Must Parallel Classroom Instruction

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AYP Inclusion Subject Test School Yr.

in U.S.AYP

ParticipationAYP

Performance

Math LAT 1st *

2nd and 3rd

Reading andELA

TELPAS Reading 1st *

LAT 2nd and 3rd

* = not evaluated for AYPScience results are not used in AYP Ratings even though NCLB requires science testing.

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Who is Eligible to Take LAT Tests?• In Mathematics and Science grades 3-8 & 10

– students who are eligible to receive a LEP exemption from state TAKS testing according to Texas policy.

• In Reading 3-8 and ELA at grade 10 – students who are eligible to receive a LEP exemption from state TAKS testing according to Texas policy AND are in their second or third school year of enrollment in U.S. schools

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Testing Materials Used for LAT• TAKS LAT test booklets. All TAKS LAT test booklets say

LAT on the booklet. – TAKS and TAKS-Accommodated test takers use the

same test booklet for LAT. LAT test booklets do not have field test items included and they are formatted like TAKS-Accommodated test booklets.

• For TAKS–M the regular booklet is used. “LAT” does not appear on the cover.

• Secure Linguistic Simplification Guides (used for math and science only) – They also say LAT on them.

• Answer documents – use the regular TAKS/TAKS-Accommodated and TAKS-M answer documents. (Except for grade 10 ELA LAT answer document says LAT).

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LAT Tests are Shorter than TAKS• LAT tests are shorter than TAKS tests because

there are no embedded field-test items• Because regular TAKS answer documents are

used for LAT administrations in grades 4–8 and 10 (math), students will not use all spaces on the answer document

• To address this situation, administration directions instruct test administrators to say, for example:“Stop when you get to the last page of your booklet. Your last test question is NUMBER #. This is where your test ends. You will not use all the circles on your answer document.”

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• There is one LAT test administrator manual for grades 3-8 & 10 that encompasses all LAT administrations.

• Exception: For LAT administrations of TAKS–M, test administrators will use the TAKS–M test administrator manual, which contains LAT information in Appendix A.

LAT Test Administrator Manuals

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• These are produced for LAT administrations of TAKS math and science. The guides are printed by grade and subject. The guides are not available for TAKS–M.

• There are no LSG guides for reading/ELA.

• The guides are secure and may be viewed only during the test administration.

Secure Linguistic Simplification Guides (LSGs)

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LAT Testing Schedule / Calendar

LAT Testing

LAT Math Grades 3,4,6,7,10 April 26, 2010

LAT Reading/ELA (2 Days) Grades 3,4,6,7,10 April 27-28, 2010

LAT Science Grades 5, 8, 10 April 30, 2010

LAT Math Grades 5, 8 May 17, 2010

LAT Reading (2 Days) Grade 5, 8 May 18-19, 2010

• All tests must be administered on the scheduled day.

• All tests must be administered in strict accordance with the instructions contained in the test administration manuals.

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Big Testing Week by the day

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Make Up Testing• LAT Make-up testing is permitted and will

follow the general TAKS make-up schedule. (see page 180 in the DCCM)

• That will be two make up days (Thur & Fri) for grades 3,4,6,7,& 10 reading & math but no make-up opportunity for grades 5,8, & 10 science. In May, there will be a single make-up day for LAT (May 20th).

• The two days of LAT Reading must be given in order; day 1 then day 2.

• Just like TAKS, the student must be absent on the scheduled testing day in order to be eligible for make up testing.

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Types of LAT Accommodations• There are two types of LAT Accommodations.

– Indirect Support Accommodations– Direct Support Accommodations

• Indirect support accommodations do not have to be specified in the LPAC minutes and are provide as needed to all LAT test administrations.

• Direct support accommodations differ by subject tested and must be specified by the LPAC for use in regular instruction and assessment.

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LAT Indirect Support Accommodations

Math/Science Reading/ELA

Clarification of test directions

Breaks at request of

student

Testing over 2 days *

Note: These are to be provided for all LAT administrations.

* Testing over two days for TAKS–M reading/ELA is optional. The LPAC and ARD committee should decide in advance whether the student should complete the test in 1 or 2 days.

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1) Linguistic simplification*2) Oral translation3) Reading assistance4) Bilingual dictionary5) Bilingual glossary6) English and Spanish tests side by side (grades 3-5)*

The first three are provided only at the request of the student while the last three are things the student uses as needed during testing.

LAT Math and Science Direct Support Accommodations

* TAKS–M exceptions - next slide

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• Linguistic simplification is allowed, but linguistic simplification guides are not available. Test administrators will follow the guidelines in the Test Administrator manual to make appropriate linguistic simplifications.

• Spanish versions of TAKS–M are not available and therefore Spanish TAKS-M LAT versions are not available.

• The accommodation of using English and Spanish tests side by side is not available for TAKS-M administrations since there is no Spanish version of TAKS-M available.

TAKS–M Exceptions Math/Science Direct Support

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Linguistic Simplification• A student may ask the test administrator to say in simpler

language what a test question is asking. Test administrators may provide this assistance using simpler words, pictures, and/or gestures, as long as they do not define or explain mathematical or scientific terminology or a concept that the test question is assessing.

• Secure LAT linguistic simplification guides are provided to test administrators for use with this accommodation in LAT administrations of TAKS mathematics and science. The guides for English-version LAT tests provide suggested linguistic simplifications. For the test versions in both English and Spanish, the guides delineate which subject-area terms may not be simplified.

• When necessary, test administrators may provide additional allowable linguistic simplifications to meet individual students’ needs.

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Test Administrators…• are not permitted to provide any assistance

(reading assistance, translation, linguistic simplification, glossary/dictionary assistance, etc.) with symbols (+, -, $, %, decimal point, °C, etc.), numerical representations (0, 735, -4, 12, 103, etc.), or abbreviations (oz, ft2, etc.)

• are not permitted to point to answer choices• may not write or draw in the student’s test

booklet, but may do so on a separate sheet of paper as long as the paper is destroyed immediately after the test session

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Oral Translation• At the request of a student, the test

administrator may orally translate words, phrases, and sentences that the student does not understand.

• Again, the test administrator is NOT permitted to define or explain mathematical or scientific terms, concepts, or skills.

• The test administrator is permitted only to give the equivalent word or words in the other language.

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Reading Assistance• At the request of the student, the test

administrator may read aloud words, phrases, or sentences in the test question, prompt, or answer choices that the student is having difficulty reading.

• Reading assistance is allowable regardless of whether the student is using the English version or the Spanish version of the LAT test form.

• Note that all grade 3 students are permitted to request reading (decoding) assistance on the mathematics test. For grade 3 mathematics, it is not necessary to predetermine and document this as a LAT accommodation.

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Bilingual Dictionary• Students may use a bilingual dictionary (paper or

electronic) to find the translation of words they do not understand.

• Bilingual dictionaries that contain explanations, definitions, pictures, or examples of mathematical or scientific terminology may NOT be used.

• The following kinds of dictionaries are NOT permitted:– English dictionaries– monolingual dictionaries in the student’s native

language (e.g., a Spanish dictionary, a Korean dictionary, etc.)

– ESL dictionaries that use simplified English words and pictures

• In other words the dictionary is a word for word translation dictionary only.

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Bilingual Glossary• Students may use locally developed bilingual

glossaries to find the translation of words they do not understand.

• The glossary must NOT include definitions, explanations, examples, or pictures that will aid students in understanding the mathematical or scientific terms or concepts assessed.

Note: The difference between a bilingual dictionary and a bilingual glossary is one is purchased and one is locally made.

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English and Spanish Test Side-by-Side (grades 3-5)

• For grades 3–5 mathematics and grade 5 science• A Spanish-speaking student may refer to both the

English version and Spanish-version LAT tests to enhance comprehension. If a student does not understand something in one language, the student may refer to it in the other language.

• For grade 3 it is recommended that students who are being allowed the side-by-side accommodation not be issued both test booklets. It is preferred that they request to see specific items in the other language. The reason is that only one test booklet is scored.Note: The English and Spanish versions of the LAT TAKS tests are translations of one another (content is identical).

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1) Bilingual dictionary2) English dictionary3) Reading aloud – word or phrase4) Reading aloud – entire test item5) Oral translation – word or phrase6) Clarification – word or phrase

The last four are provided only at the request of the student. The first two are things provided to the student that they may use as needed during testing.

LAT Reading Direct Support Accommodations

Not all of these are allowable for LAT administrations of the writing sections of grade 10 ELA. See the administration manuals for details.

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Bilingual Dictionary• Students may use a bilingual dictionary

to find the translation of words they do not understand.

• Paper and electronic bilingual dictionaries are permitted.

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Standard English Dictionary

• Throughout the reading test, a student may use an English dictionary, ESL dictionary, or picture dictionary. (Note that if the student is taking a grades 3–5 Spanish-version test, the student may use a Spanish dictionary.)

• Paper and electronic dictionaries are permitted.

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Reading Aloud – Word or Phrase

• At the request of the student, the test administrator may read aloud words or phrases in reading selections or test items.

• Sentences and longer portions of text may NOT be read aloud.

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Reading Aloud – Entire Test Item

• At the request of the student, the test administrator may read aloud an entire test item (i.e., test question and answer choices).

• Voice inflection must be kept neutral during the reading of test questions and answer choices.

(In other words you cannot help students identify the correct answer to the question.)

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Oral Translation – Word or Phrase

• At the request of the student, the test administrator may orally translate words or phrases in reading selections and test items that the student does not understand.

• The test administrator is NOT permitted to translate entire sentences, longer portions of text, or tested vocabulary words.

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Clarification – Word or Phrase• At the request of the student, the test

administrator may clarify the meaning of a word or phrase in either a reading selection or test item that the student does not understand.

• Synonyms, definitions, explanations, pictures, and gestures may be used to provide clarification.

• The test administrator is NOT permitted to clarify the meaning of entire sentences, longer portions of text, or tested vocabulary words.

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Test Administration Procedures

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Testing Procedures• Exactly the same as they are for TAKS. (See pages

73-79 in the LAT Test Administrator Manual.• Follow the directions in the Test Administrator

Manual.• Read the testing directions script to students

verbatim but unlike a regular TAKS administration you can clarify the directions by translating them, rewording them, or repeating them as needed.

• Prior to the beginning of your LAT session, talk to the students about the testing process, make them feel comfortable, and review the linguistic assistance they will be able to request. (See pages 80-81 in LAT Test Administration Manual)

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• The “S” score code must NEVER be filled in for students taking a LAT test!

• The “L” score code must ALWAYS be filled in for LAT administrations ― no exceptions!

Marking Score Codes on the Answer Document

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LAT INFOMark the “L” score code on ALL

LAT student answer documents

regardless of whether or not

they take the test.

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Bubble LAT Info and Accommodations• LAT Info area of the answer document has two

columns.– Column A – Mark all that apply – Linguistic

accommodates used. Do not bubble in if the accommodation is available but not used.

– Column B – Alternate score codes for LAT administrations – I (incomplete) A (absent)

• Accommodations – document any accommodations used except for the linguistic accommodations coded in the LAT info area.

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LAT INFO Column A CodesFor LAT Math and Science administrations1) Linguistic Simplification2) Oral Translation3) Reading Assistance4) Bilingual Dictionary5) Bilingual Glossary6) English and Spanish Tests Side-by-side (grades 3-5)7) Accommodations available but none used.For LAT Reading / ELA administrations8) Bilingual Dictionary9) English Dictionary10) Reading Aloud – Word or Phrase11) Reading Aloud – Entire test item12) Oral Translation – Word or Phrase13) Clarification – Word or Phrase14) Accommodations available but none used.

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“Accommodations Not Used” Bubble

• Addresses rare situation in which student is provided with but does not use LAT accommodations

• Bubble is needed to appropriately report student as having participated in LAT administration

• Bubble should not be marked if student uses at least one approved LAT accommodation

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Coding Area from the April Grade 5

Answer Document

If the student is absent then mark the absence here.

If student gets ill during testing then mark the “I”

which is the same as the “O” score code on regular TAKS

administrations.

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Returning Scorable LAT Answer Documents

• TAKS LAT answer documents are returned with your regular TAKS and TAKS Accommodated scorable answer documents.

• TAKS-M LAT answer documents are returned with your regular TAKS-M answer documents.

• No separate headers (Campus and Group or Class ID)

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You have completed the TAKS LAT Training.