Spanish-English Demarcation Formats in Large-Scale Assessments: Insights From Educators

• In Event: Inclusion and Accessibility in Educational Assessment SIG (96) Paper Session

Abstract

This study investigates several formats of demarcating Spanish-English content in large-scale mathematics assessments. The project administered focus groups for educators who serve bilingual students to gather these educators’ feedback on alternatives for presenting mathematics test items in both Spanish and English. These alternative formats include the currently used stacked format, as well as five new formats: language indicators, dividing lines, toggle, a combination of frames and indicators, and a combination of frames and dividing lines. Study participants offered their insights on formats they currently use in the classroom; strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement for each proposed format; and related implementation considerations.

Authors

• Rachel R. Kachchaf, Smarter Balanced

• Vitaliy Shyyan, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, UCSC