In September we began the Year of Sofia. We talked about how Sofia tested in all four domains—listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Even though Sofia isn't an actual student, her story mirrors the many students for whom TELL is used to help progress monitor literacy skills. Her story is told through the eyes of her 2nd grade teacher, Susan Harris.
In February we discussed Targeting Specific Areas for Improvement for Sofia. Now that she has improved so much, we can take her off the interventions we scheduled for her. Based on her progress Tina was invited to workshops at the district to discuss how we can use TELL exports to build data protocols.
Feel free to tell your story in the comments below.
– Sue Ann Towle, Pearson
Using TELL to Build Data Protocols
Tina has done some fantastic work with Sofia and it helps that they like each other and can speak Spanish. Tina is observing Sofia using the iPad to take the next progress monitoring test. Some of the test items include Write the Word, where Sofia selects the word for the object, and Write About the Picture where she uses the iPad keyboard to type the word describing what is being displayed. Like all the ELLs in my class she loves working with the iPad.
Taking TELL on the iPad feels more like a game than a test. While it may feel like a game, TELL is accurately testing and reporting on her language proficiency skills helping her become proficient in her adopted language. It's easy to use or navigate, and without the usual pressure she might feel when being tested.
Tina tells me that the school district has a new idea that she thinks will help. They are holding workshops to discuss and implement “data protocols” around TELL. The plan is to review the TELL reports, and ask what we see in the data. Are there any patterns? Based on the answers and validated research, the district is putting protocols to support the advancement of English proficiency across students with varying abilities. Because of the success we have had with Sofia, indeed all of the ELLs Tina works with, Tina has been asked to participate in the workshops.
It’s hard to avoid picking a student as your favorite, but sometimes it happens. Perhaps it is because Sofia started off so nervous and hesitant, and is catching up to where she can listen as well as most of the other students in her class. Whatever the case, Sofia has won our hearts and she is racing to the finish line, when she has caught up to the other students and can read at her grade level, at the end of the school year.
Sofia is a great example of something I learn every year. With proper goal setting and support, students will meet the challenge. It proves that if you have high hopes and ask a lot from your ELLs they will live up to your expectations. And if you have the right tools like TELL that helps as well.
– Susan Harris, 2nd Grade Teacher