Skip to main content

ACCESS Testing (WIDA) wrapping up. It went well! Burlington Public Schools (MA); January 2013


This week, January 14 - 18, 2013, we had the ACCESS Testing, which is the new mandatory state testing for ELLs in Massachusetts, as well as for many other states, who have joined the WIDA Consortium.  I like this testing system for a few big reasons:

 1)  It goes beyond "BICS" (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) and standard English by putting the focus on academic language and content;

 2) It doesn't just cover some main content areas, but rather challenges students on complex subjects, concepts and vocabulary, while remaining within reasonable levels of difficulty;

 and...

 3) It isn't too long or too challenging for our ELLs, who often leave school each day tired, from just having to "survive" in a new and different language.
Even though I'm a fan of the new ACCESS Testing, I will say that it has its flaws and needs editing & revision.

 If you'd like to learn more about this new mandatory state testing for ELLs, check out this site...

 http://www.wida.us/


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Doesn't a blog only make sense when others will read it?

Hi, Is anyone reading this...? Really...? (crickets...) You see... I don't mean to sound so lame, but I'm torn. I feel like I'm supposed to contribute to the educational blogosphere, and yet I have three followers. Please... cue giggle (Yes, I want you to smile and giggle). I had these ideal thoughts about what it may be like to blog and learn from others online, and yet - I feel quite unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Yes, there must be 2 billion blogs out there, and everyone is pretty busy with life, so should I continue to blog? Please - somebody leave a comment...! And say, Yes, Mr. Chiocca, please contribute. Education and the future of public education depends on people like you, who care and want our kids to learn as much as they can in each grade level. Thanks for reading! Mr. Chiocca
8 comments
Read more

सुम्मेर अपडेट, फ्रॉम मर. छिओक्क

I'm happy to say that this year was my best yet. Combined with having more time to plan and prep for great units and lessons (now being post-Master's time), and with all the new knowledge and skills I learned from my M.A.T., it was a great year! You know... having those 4 years of teaching experience before doing my M.A.T., also, I think, really helped me to grow as an educator. We did some really exciting units this year. For example, building on some lessons I found in some Adult-ESL texts, I created a 3-week unit titled "Helping Your Family to Buy a Home!" Yes - so, we made "dream homes" out of cardboard boxes and materials. Students learned "Mr. Chiocca's 11 Steps to Buying a Home," and they made YouTube videos and Audio Recordings for the Final Project. The kids learned about mortgages, down payments, PITI - Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance; and how to work with real estate agents and brokers. In addition, students learned ...
3 comments
Read more

information, Open House & MCAS, March 2017

Burlington High School Open House & MCAS Information OPEN HOUSE :   Burlington High School will be hosting its annual Open House on Thursday, March 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event provides you with an opportunity to meet with teachers and view the Art Exhibit and Fashion Show.  Administrators will also be available throughout the evening to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you on the 16th. MCAS TESTING : This year’s 10 th Grade English Language Arts MCAS testing will take place from March 21-23.  Additional MCAS will be held on May 16 and 17 (Math, Grade 10 only) and on June 5 and 6 (Science, Grade 9 only). MCAS TESTING SCHEDULE :   Please note that there will not be a delayed opening for the MCAS Exam.  Buses will pick up students at their regularly scheduled time.  Homeroom will begin at 7:30 a.m., with dismissal 2:00 p.m..  Testing will begin after homeroom at 7:40 a.m. If you ...
Post a Comment
Read more