Standards-Based Test Item Writing and
WIDA Teacher Collaboration
Online Graduate-Level Professional Development Course
January 4 - March 19, 2010
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Fill out the online application
ESL and general education teachers are invited to enroll as partners in the online WIDA Item Writing Course and learn to prepare standards-based language proficiency assessment tasks for ACCESS for ELLsŪ.
- Learn about the theory and practice of language testing
- Examine the broad notions of test validity and reliability
- Gain practice using the WIDA ELP Standards for assessment purposes
- Create standards-based test items targeting specific proficiency levels
- Discuss ELL instruction and assessment issues with peers across the WIDA states through online discussion boards and chats
- Help ensure that ACCESS for ELLsŪ test items are linked to classroom practice and curriculum across WIDA states
Course Information:
| Institutional Host |
Hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Delivered by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
|
| Credit |
3 UW credits (transferable) and/or 40 CEUs
|
| Duration |
January 4- March 19, 2010
|
| Time Commitment |
10-12 hours per week (for both individually enrolled and pairs)
|
| Course Tuition |
Paid by the WIDA Consortium
|
| Enrollment Options |
Individual enrollment: complete assignments individually
"ESL-Gen. Ed. Teacher Pair" enrollment: join the course with a teacher at your school and complete all assignments together |
| When to Apply |
Applications will be available October 1 - October 30, 2009
|
| How to Apply |
Complete the online application
Note: Each member of a teacher pair must complete a separate application.
|
| Acceptance |
CAL submits nominees' applications to SEAs for approval.
All applicants will be notified by December 8, 2009 of whether or not their application has been accepted.
Space is limited and a waitlist will be available if needed.
|
Teachers from past courses have this to say:
"I would recommend this course because I think it taught all of us about the specific needs for ELL students. But also, how to keep the content standards in mind- FOR ALL STUDENTS!"
"It is a must for all ELL and Bilingual teachers as well as any teacher that receives mainstreamed students from ELL classes."
"I would recommend this course. I think it gives teachers great insight into ACCESS and a new view and understanding of the assessment. It also provides reminders of how to assess ESL students in the classroom and how to differentiate language and vocabulary for the students depending on the level."
"It increases awareness of the WIDA standards and how important academic language is to developing English language proficiency."
- After completing the course, participants may be contacted to consult for CAL as paid item writers.
- The ESL/Bilingual and general education "teacher pair" model was introduced in 2008 and continues to be a success!
- Nearly half the class consisted of pairs.
- Collaborating was seen as a positive experience.
- Past participants came from all of these WIDA states:
Alabama |
North Carolina |
Delaware |
North Dakota |
| District of Columbia |
Pennsylvania |
Georgia |
Rhode Island |
Illinois |
South Dakota |
Kentucky |
Vermont |
Maine |
Virginia |
| New Hampshire |
Wisconsin |
New Jersey |
|
Questions? Interested in participating? Contact:
Jennifer Christenson
Associate Manager for WIDA Test Development
jchristenson@cal.org 202-362-0700
or
Michele Kawood
Language Testing Specialist
mkawood@cal.org 202-362-0700
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