Assessment, Accountability, and Instructional Policies and Practices for Improving Outcomes for English Learner Peer-to-Peer Exchange Series Summary

P2P Description: States must ensure that English learners (ELs) participate meaningfully and equally in educational programs and services under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Education Opportunities Act. Additionally, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), includes multiple requirements related to assessment, accountability, and instructional support for ELs. As state educational agencies (SEAs) implement their ESEA consolidated state plans, many expressed interest in receiving technical assistance and engaging in peer-to-peer (P2P) learning on ESEA requirements related to EL assessment, accountability, and instructional support. Subsequent needs-sensing activities conducted by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the State Support Network (Network) affirmed SEA interest and identified specific needs in this area. The P2P exchange series included four virtual sessions focused on the following topics:

  • Session 1: Adjusting State English Language Proficiency (ELP) Goals, Measures of Interim Progress, and the ELP Indicator
  • Session 2: Refining Strategies for Monitoring and Reporting English Learner Progress in Meeting English Language Proficiency Goals That Align With Practices Across the State Educational Agency
  • Session 3: Practices for Supporting Groups of English Learners
  • Session 4: Assisting Local Educational Agencies With Identifying English Learners and Providing Services

P2P Objectives: The Network established four primary objectives for the P2P series to support states in strengthening policies and practices related to assessment, accountability, and instruction for improving outcomes for ELs:

  • Objective 1: Consult with peers and subject matter experts (SMEs) to understand obstacles to designing and implementing effective monitoring, assessment practices, and supports for ELs.
  • Objective 2: Build knowledge of how other SEAs are designing and implementing effective monitoring, assessment practices, and supports for ELs.
  • Objective 3: Identify resources or tools from SMEs or other states to support improvements in policies and practices related to EL monitoring, assessment, or support.
  • Objective 4: Based on best practices and resources shared in the P2P series, consider how to adjust or strengthen elements of EL monitoring, assessment, or support.

Participating SEAs: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

P2P Duration: January 2020 through March 2020

 

Resources

Assessment, Accountability, and Instructional Policies and Practices for Improving Outcomes for English Learner Peer-to-Peer Exchange Series Summary