New Praxis World Languages Series National World Language Teacher Certification Summit December 10, 2009

Goals of Session Development Process Highlights –Why and how we developed the series –ACFTL Collaboration Series Design State Use – Multi-state Standard Setting Study

Why change the current tests? To align with ACTFL Standards which emphasize –Performance-based assessment –Producing competent language users to interact in a global community To adhere to ETS standards for periodic review and if necessary, revision of our assessments To improve our delivery system for language tests

Praxis test development focused on: National Standards – ACTFL Practitioner Involvement – National Advisory Committee (NAC) 13 states represented ACTFL representative included Job Relevant Content – Job Analysis Survey 2,159 surveys were returned to ETS Only competencies judged as relevant to the job of the beginning teacher are selected for test Pilot test for new question prototypes

What are the new offerings? World Language: Spanish World Language: French World Language: German World Language: Pedagogy World Language: Mandarin (in development)

Praxis WL Language tests uniform design Language Tests cover 4 domains: –Listening with Cultural Knowledge 36 mc questions –Reading with Cultural Knowledge 39 mc questions –Writing 3 cr questions –Speaking 3 cr questions

Praxis WL: Pedagogy Test Design Language Acquisition Theories and Acquisition Instructional Practices 18 mc questions or 32 % Integration of Standards into Curriculum and Instruction 13 mc or 23% Assessment of Languages and Cultures 14 mc or 24% Integrated Skills Instructional Practices 2 cr or 21%

Licensure/Certification State regulated process Grants permission to practice Indicates that all requirements have been met –Course requirements –Supervised clinical experience –Testing High stakes Legally defensible Doesn’t predict performance Focused on core knowledge important for beginning

State Test Use and Standard Setting Each state agency sets its own passing score. How much is enough for beginning practitioner? As part of the process they consider: –practitioner recommendations collected in a Standard Setting Study –any available performance data –supply and demand in their state –access to the profession for sub-group populations

Standard Setting Study ETS recently initiated use of multi-state standard setting studies Previously all studies were state specific, and each state would need to convene a group of at least 10 practitioners to conduct the study Small volume tests presented sometimes insurmountable problems particularly in small states

Multi-state approach for Standard Setting Study Reduced state burden to recruit educators Greater educator input into the passing score recommendation – up to 50 educators More efficient process for moving states from old to new tests Allows for multiple rounds of panel judgments, feedback and discussion More support for states seeking greater interstate portability

Next Steps for World Language Series States are currently making score decisions based on the results of the multi-state study Tests will be administered in testing year

Questions? Contact: Florence Cucchi Client Relations Director