Ballard & Tighe Begins Field Testing of New NCLB-Compliant IPT 2005 Testing System for LEP Students.

Business Editors

BREA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2004

Ballard & Tighe has announced that development of its IPT 2005 testing system for limited English proficient (LEP) students continues on schedule as thousands of test items created for the IPT 2005 item bank enter the field testing phase. Following NCLB guidelines, this extensive item base concentrates on Academic English and supports multiple states' standards.

"We are developing a wholly new testing system for use by states in 2005 with particular reference to NCLB requirements," said Dr. Sari Luoma, Director of Assessment at Ballard & Tighe. "The field testing will validate a substantive group of items for inclusion in the system."

To create the test items, Ballard & Tighe conducted a series of item writing workshops under the guidance of expert item writing specialists. Experienced teachers worked in grade-span-specific groups to write test items based on specifications developed by the Ballard & Tighe assessment team.

To ensure national representation and unbiased items, the newly created items underwent careful review by testing experts for technical appropriateness, by current classroom teachers across the United States for grade-level appropriateness, and by a select panel of educators who screened the items for bias and cultural/language sensitivity.

After passing these stringent reviews, the test items were refined further before final approval. Field testing will provide crucial information about how the test items perform with real students in an authentic test setting.

Currently, over 5,000 English language learners at elementary, middle and high schools in 15 states across the country are participating in field testing numerous items designed to evaluate Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing skills spanning grade levels 1 to 12.

Every stage of the IPT 2005 test development is structured to ensure that this new testing system measures up to NCLB requirements. The field testing phase will establish horizontal and vertical scaling for the tests. NCLB requires that English language proficiency assessment show incremental growth to determine whether students have met their Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs.) The IPT 2005 is designed to measure the developmental path of English language abilities, ranging from zero ability, through all the intermediate stages, and up to grade-level English language ability. The IPT 2005 tests will be both horizontally and vertically scaled, allowing schools to show annual progress for students from grades Pre-K to Grade 12 on one standardized scale.

Ballard & Tighe's assessment team will analyze the field test results in preparation for the development of the operational IPT 2005 test forms and support materials for pilot testing. With the completion of pilot testing, the IPT 2005 test forms will be available for use by states in the spring of 2005.

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 to mainstream classrooms. The company 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 and software, as well as online professional development training that will help ensure academic success for today's increasingly diverse student population.

Information at: nclb.ballard-tighe.com.