Ballard & Tighe's New NCLB-Compliant IPT 2005 Testing System Set for Nationwide Use in Spring 2005.

BREA, Calif. -- Ballard & Tighe Publishers has announced that, following a two-year development period, its IPT 2005 testing system for limited English proficient (LEP) students is on schedule for nationwide use in Spring 2005. The IPT 2005 is a wholly new testing system specifically designed to help states meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

"We are entering the final phase of the IPT 2005 development process. This means that by the Spring 2005 testing period, states across the country can begin using the IPT 2005 to test the language proficiency of their LEP students," said Dr. Roberta Stathis, President of Ballard & Tighe.

For the past two years, Ballard & Tighe has been intensely focused on the research and development of its innovative new testing system for K-12 LEP students. The development process, which began in Spring 2003, has entailed several distinct phases including:

Research and Analysis --

Ballard & Tighe's team of world-class assessment specialists charted and followed a comprehensive scientifically based research plan aimed at identifying the language demands English language learners encounter in mainstream academic classrooms. The data resulting from the research provided the foundation for the IPT 2005 test blueprint and item specifications.

Development of Test Specifications --

In this phase of test development, the assessment team defined the test specifications (what the test will be assessing and how it will be accomplished) and clearly defined the language skills to be tested (proficiency in both academic and social language). Test specifications were reviewed and finalized for item writing.

Item Writing and Review --

To create a broad base of test items for the IPT 2005 testing system, Ballard & Tighe conducted a series of item writing workshops under the guidance of item writing specialists. Experienced teachers worked in grade-span-specific groups to write test items representing all language skills. The newly created test items underwent three careful reviews: by language acquisition and testing experts, by grade-level teachers across the United States, and by members of a Bias/Sensitivity Panel.

Field Testing --

Over 5,000 LEP students at elementary, middle and high schools in 15 states across the country participated in field testing numerous test items designed to evaluate Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing skills. Field testing provided crucial information about how the test items perform with real students in an authentic test setting.

These four phases of test development were instrumental in producing the basis of the IPT 2005 testing system -- a flexible, multi-relational item base comprising thousands of test items developed for specific grade levels and language domains. Following NCLB guidelines, this extensive item base concentrates on academic English and is aligned to most state English language proficiency standards.

"The IPT 2005 is on schedule for pilot testing in the Fall. During this next test development phase, our team will analyze the field test results, create operational test forms drawn from the item bank, and pilot test the entirely new test forms at schools across the United States. Pilot testing ensures that the test works as intended and guarantees the quality and user-friendliness of the final product," explained Dr. Stathis. "Following pilot testing, we will be able to offer states and school districts nationwide a fully comprehensive, NCLB-compliant language proficiency testing system ready for Spring 2005 testing."

The company has made a full test development progress report available on its website at www.nclb.ballard-tighe.com/progress.html.

About Ballard & Tighe

Dedicated to making a difference in education, Ballard & Tighe publishes a highly regarded set of products that extend from assessing, identifying, and instructing students with limited English proficiency to transitioning these students into mainstream classrooms. The company, headquartered in Brea, CA, was founded in 1976 by Wanda Ballard and Phyllis Tighe, pioneers in the field of educational ESL (English as a Second Language). Currently, Ballard & Tighe provides testing, instructional and training products and services to more than 2,200 state, regional, and local school systems throughout the United States and internationally. Ballard & Tighe's staff of seasoned educators and technical product developers is exclusively focused on delivering language assessment, English language development, and social studies materials, as well as online professional development training that will help ensure academic success for today's increasingly diverse student population.

For information, call 800-321-4332 or visit the Ballard & Tighe's special NCLB-related website at www.nclb.ballard-tighe.com