1.8: Language and Literacy Assessment
- Page ID
- 216637
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)It is important to know the assessment tools being used in your community. Each state has its own requirements and recommendations regarding language and literacy assessments.
Review the requirements for literacy assessment in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Act 20
Wisconsin Act 20, also known as the Right to Read Act, is a significant piece of legislation aimed at improving literacy outcomes for students in Wisconsin. Signed into law by Governor Tony Evers in 2023, the act introduces several key measures:
Most important to our learning about assessment with young children in this module will be:
Curriculum and Instructional Materials:
Grants are provided to cover 50% of the costs of purchasing approved literacy curriculum and instructional materials. The act also prohibits the use of instructional methods that include the "three-cueing" technique (GovDelivery) (WI CRIS).
Act 20 states that all Wisconsin schools are required to provide science-based early literacy instruction in both universal and intervention settings. Science-based early literacy instruction is defined as the following.
Instruction that is systematic and explicit and consists of all the following:
- Phonological awareness
- Phonemic awareness
- Phonics
- Building background knowledge
- Oral language development
- Vocabulary building
- Instruction in writing
- Instruction in comprehension
- Reading fluency
SEE: https://dpi.wi.gov/wi-reads for information on what types of curriculum are currently approved by the state as meeting the requirements for science-based early literacy instruction.
Student Assessments and Interventions:
The act increases the frequency of screening and diagnostic reading assessments. It requires specific interventions for students, including the creation of personal literacy plans that identify skill deficiencies and provide goals and benchmarks for progress (GovDelivery).
- A single reading readiness screener will be administered to Wisconsin students in 4K through grade 3 beginning in the school year 2024-2025. The assessment must be administered to 4K students twice per year. Once no more than 45 days into the school year and once no more than 45 days prior to the end of the school year.
- A single readiness screener must be administered to students in 5K through grade 3, three times per year. Once no more than 45 days into the school year, once in the middle of the school year, and once no more than 45 days prior to the end of the school year.
- The state has announced NCS Pearsonwas selected to supply the statewide reading readiness screener under the requirements of 2023 Wisconsin Act 20.
Other Key Measures of Act 20 include:
Literacy Coaching Program:
The act establishes a literacy coaching program where 64 literacy coaches will be contracted to support administrators, school-based literacy coaches, principals, and teachers in public, charter, and private choice schools. These coaches are expected to provide science-based early literacy instruction and are prohibited from using the "three-cueing" method (Wisconsin Legislative Documents) (GovDelivery).
Teacher Preparation Programs:
The state superintendent is prohibited from approving teacher preparatory programs unless they prepare teachers using science-based early literacy instruction and do not incorporate the "three-cueing" method. Certain educators are also required to undergo training in programs like LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) (GovDelivery).
Funding and Support:
The 2023-25 biennial budget includes $50 million in funding to support these literacy initiatives, along with other significant investments in K-12 education. This funding aims to increase the level of state support for school districts and provide resources to help improve reading and literacy outcomes statewide (GovDelivery) (WI CRIS).
Overall, Wisconsin Act 20 represents a comprehensive effort to enhance early literacy education through improved instructional methods, increased support for educators, and targeted interventions for students.
Wisconsin Reading Readiness Assessment
Wis. Stats. 118.016 requires each pupil enrolled in 4-year-old kindergarten to 2nd grade in a school district or in a charter school to be annually assessed for reading readiness.
Read more about the reading readiness assessment in Wisconsin by using this link, Reading Readiness Assessment in Wisconsin
Assessment of English Language Learners
Federal and state laws require students identified as English Learners (ELs) to be assessed annually to determine their English Language Proficiency (ELP) level. This is done to ensure they are progressing in achieving full English Proficiency. English Learners who are also receiving special education services are also included in this mandate.
ACCESS
Learn about the ACCESS test for ELLS using this link, Overview of ACCESS for ELLs.
You may learn about the ACCESS test for Kindergarten students through this link, ACCESS for Kindergarten ELLs
- You may wish to contact your local school district to find out what assessment they have selected as their Readiness Screener and what other literacy assessments they may use.
- If you are not from Wisconsin, you may contact your Department of Public Instruction or its equivalency to find out what assessment are required in your state particularly for young learners and ELLs.