Spreading the Word: The Use of Illustrations as a Testing Accommodation for Emerging Billigual Students

• In Event: Division H Vice-Presidential Invited Session: Fresh and Innovative Graduate Student Work in School-Based Research, Evaluation, and Assessment

Abstract

The Illustrations in Testing for English Language Learners (ITELL) project developed procedures for designing illustrations as a form of testing accommodation for emerging bilingual students (ELLs) with the intent to support these students to understand the content of test items without modifying their text. The following step in this project was to develop a manual to promote a sound, standardized design and use of illustrations in testing among various professionals. We discuss how identifying appropriate audiences, determining which information is relevant to these audiences, and finding ideal pathways through which to disseminate information are critical to successful manual development.

Authors

• Ashley M. Chrzanowski, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Guillermo Solano-Flores, University of Colorado - Boulder