The presenters will demonstrate, via video, the performance assessment in the language development of ESOL students at Lake Park Elementary School. The video will show the progression of student responses to a fixed set of questions posed at the beginning and end of the school year. Steps include designing and piloting student tests, conducting nationwide video-conferences on test design, establishing a network of key trainers, preparing training materials and launching nationwide training. This includes videotaping, critique from ITA trainers, self-evaluation, and feedback from students. Handouts and assessment forms will be provided which explain the procedures.
Presenters discuss procedures for ensuring valid and reliable assessments.
Participants receive the rubric, a packet of anchor essays, and a scoring key. The presenter discusses strategies and shares writing rubric samples of ESL and EFL learners who participated in rubric writing sessions on two continents. The presenter reports partial results of a study aimed at probing students' reactions to a computerized reading comprehension test. Data obtained from Venezuelan university students suggest very positive attitudes. It is concluded that computerized tests can be implemented with confidence, as far as student attitude in this context is concerned.