Writing Educational Learning Plans with WIDA's Can Do Descriptors

Dr. Christina Nava Idaho State Department of Education

State LEP & Title III Coordinator September 11, 2013

Overview of Presentation

• Review Idaho Law for ELPs • Briefly describe the building blocks of WIDA framework • Discuss how educators can use the Can Do Descriptors

to interpret and analyze IELA scores • Discuss how educators can use the Can Do Descriptors

to develop and Educational Learning Plan (ELP)

Idaho Educational Learning Plans (ELPs) Idaho Law: IDAPA 08.02.03 - 111.04

Limited English Proficient (LEP) students, as defined in Subsection 112.04.d.iv., who receive a score below the fluent level on the Idaho English Language Assessment and have an Education Learning Plan (ELP), shall be given the ISAT with accommodations or adaptations as outlined in the ELP. Students can be categorized as LEP students for two (2) years after testing proficient on the language proficiency test and exiting the LEP program. Sample ELPs forms available on Title III Website: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/lep/state_federal.htm

District/School Team • Principal/Administrator • ELD Teacher/Staff • General Ed/Content Teacher • Other Educational Staff Knowledgeable about the

Student • Parents

Overall Organization of WIDA ELD Standards Framework

Grade Level Clusters (5)

5 ELD Standards

Organized by Grade Level Clusters

Inclusive of 4 Language Domains

English Language Development Levels

Model Performance Indicator (MPI)

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WIDA’s 5 ELD Standards ELLs communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in five key areas:

Social & Instructional

Language

the Language

of Language

Arts

the Language of Mathematics

the Language of Science

The Language of Social Studies

Academic Language Development

WIDA ELD Framework …within sociocultural contexts for language use.

WIDA’s 5

ELD Standards

Language & Content

MPIs Academic Language

Can Do Descriptors (Grade Clusters)

Receptive/ Expressive

English Language Development

Levels

Performance Definitions (K-12)

Receptive/Expressive

Linguistic Complexity Language Forms &

Conventions Vocabulary Usage

What are the building blocks of the WIDA Framework?

• CAN DO Descriptors: Highlight language tasks students can be expected to perform at each English language development level

• Academic Language Performance Definitions: Highlight Academic Language Features (word, sentence & discourse levels) expected for students at each proficiency level

• Model Performance Indicators (MPIs): Provide examples of differentiated language expectations for students at different language proficiency levels in a specific context for language use

CAN DO Descriptors Provide teachers with information on the language students are able to understand and produce in the classroom within all five ELD standards. Available in both English and Spanish for the following grade-level clusters:

PreK-K Grades 6-8 Grade 1-2 Grades 9-12 Grades 3-5

Can Do Philosophy

• Additive language approach, not deficit thinking • Focus on what students can do • A standards-based resource tool—an extension of,

not a substitute for, the 5 ELD standards.

How might teachers use the CAN DO Descriptors?

As an instructional assessment tool language teachers may use the Can Do Descriptors to:

– share with classroom/content teachers as a way to describe or explain the stages of English language development using concrete examples;

– work with content teachers to show language may be integrated within a given discipline or content area;

– use to plan with tutors or mentors who work with English language learners;

– develop or co-develop lessons with differentiated language objectives;

– set language goals with their English language learners;

How might teachers use the CAN DO Descriptors?

– explain students’ progress in listening, speaking, reading and writing to parents/ family members;

– suggest language goals to be incorporated into Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for English language learners with diagnosed disabilities;

– translate English language proficiency test scores (i.e., ACCESS for ELLs®, the W-APT™, WIDA MODEL™) into instructional practice;

– observe and note levels of student performance as a precursor to using WIDA Speaking and Writing rubrics for formative assessment;

– advocate on behalf of English language learners to show what they CAN DO.

How do we determine student’s language development levels?

• Idaho is scheduled to use WIDA Assessments in 2015-2016

• Educators will use IELA as a starting Point. Combined with “knowing” your students to determine student’s language development levels.

• Consider using other WIDA tools. (Performance Definitions, Speaking/Writing Rubrics)

• Not an exact science, but it’s a start to identifying the strengths and needs of our students.

What CAN They Do?

Interpreting IELA Scores

IELA Scale Scores Corresponding to Proficiency Levels (revised 2009)

Total IELA Proficiency Levels

Form Grade Beginning Advanced Beginning Intermediate Early

Fluent Fluent

A K Below 370 370-380 381- 406 407- 430 431 and over

B1/B2 1 Below 351 351-371 372- 407 408- 427 428 and over

2 Below 363 363-391 392- 429 430- 462 463 and over

C1/C2

3 Below 359 359-378 379- 399 400- 417 418 and over

4 Below 361 361-382 383- 410 411- 429 430 and over

5 Below 367 367-387 388- 417 418- 437 438 and over

Analyzing IELA Scores for Can Do Descriptors

4th Grade Students

Overall Score

Listening Level

Speaking Level

Reading Level

Writing Level

Comp Level

Scaled Scores

Alejandro 3 EF+ AB+ AB+ AB+ AB+ 386 Cristina 3 AB+ AB+ EF+ AB+ EF+ 401 Carlos 3 AB+ AB+ EF+ EF+ AB+ 409

Total IELA Proficiency Levels

Form Grade Beginning Advanced Beginning Intermediate Early

Fluent Fluent

C1/C2 4 Below 361 361-382 383- 410 411- 429 430 and over

Charting the CAN-DO Descriptors Alejandro Cristina Carlos

Overall: 3 Overall: 3 Overall: 3

Performance Definitions

Varying proficiency levels by context

CAN-DO Speaking Domain Alejandro Cristina Carlos

Who will need support? What are some possible goals?

Can Do Student Charts

Links to IELA & WIDA Tools

• http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/lep/(Can Do Name Charts & Educational Learning Plans)

• http://wida.us/standards/eld.aspx • http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/assessment/IELA/scoreRe

ports.htm (Scale Scores & Score Interpretation Guide)

Questions/Contact Information

Dr. Christina Nava Title III/State LEP Program Coordinator cnava@sde.idaho.gov 208.332.6905 (w) Edmodo Group Code: rfyok5