WIDA Teacher Collaboration and Standards-Based Test Item Writing Course
Online Graduate-Level Professional Development Course
January 2 - March 16, 2012
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ESL and general education teachers are invited to enroll as partners in the intensive online WIDA Item Writing Course and learn to prepare standards-based language proficiency assessment tasks for ACCESS for ELLs.
In the course, participants will:
- Practice using the WIDA ELP Standards for assessment purposes
- Examine the broad principles of language testing
- Discuss ELL assessment issues with peers across the WIDA states through online discussion boards and chats
- Help ensure that ACCESS for ELLs test items are linked to classroom practice and curriculum across WIDA states
- Create standards-based test items targeting specific proficiency levels. Please note that any work that you prepare during your work as a specially commissioned test item writer shall be work made for hire. Ownership of this work shall reside solely with WIDA.
| Course Details: |
| Institutional Host |
Hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Delivered by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
|
| Credit |
Upon successful completion of all assignments, you may earn 3 graduate credits from the University of Wisconsin (transferable) or 40 CEUs
|
| Duration |
January 2- March 16, 2012
|
| Cost |
Paid by the WIDA Consortium
|
| Enrollment Options |
Solo enrollment: complete assignments individually
ESL-Gen. Ed. Teacher Pair enrollment: participate collaboratively with another teacher at your school and complete all assignments together |
| When to Apply |
Applications will be available October 1 - November 4, 2011 (The deadline has been extended to November!)
|
| How to Apply |
Complete the online application.
Each member of a teacher pair must complete a separate application.
CAL submits nominees' applications to SEAs for approval.
All applicants will be notified the week of December 5, 2011 as to whether or not their application has been accepted.
Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to accept all applicants. Waitlisted applicants will be e-mailed the first week in January if space becomes available. |
| Syllabus |
Download
|
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 think the course 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."
Quick Facts
- Participants may be contacted following the course 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!
- Over half the class consisted of pairs last year.
- Collaborating was seen as a positive experience.
- Past participants came from all of these WIDA states:
| Alabama |
New Mexico |
| Delaware |
North Carolina |
| District of Columbia |
North Dakota |
| Georgia |
Oklahoma |
| Illinois |
Pennsylvania |
| Kentucky |
Rhode Island |
| Maine |
South Dakota |
| Mississippi |
Vermont |
| Missouri |
Virginia |
| New Hampshire |
Wisconsin |
| New Jersey |
Wyoming |
Questions? Contact:
Michele Kawood
Item Writing Course Coordinator
mkawood@cal.org 202-362-0700
or
Jennifer Christenson
Associate Manager for WIDA Test Development
jchristenson@cal.org 202-362-0700