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LEP Student Assessment

LEP students are included in all district and state-wide assessments, in accordance with current PA Department of Education guidelines, and accommodations are provided when appropriate. Additionally, students are assessed yearly for language proficiency growth using the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs. Assessment scores are recorded yearly on the student’s ELD assessment tracking form and ACCESS score reports are kept in the student’s permanent record file.

The ACCESS for ELLs is administered by a teacher trained in its administration. The test is based on the WIDA English Language Development Standards (ELDS) and is administered in grade clusters: Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grades 2-3, Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12. The ACCESS for ELLs assesses the domains of Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing and Comprehension skills of English learners in Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Social and Instructional Language. It identifies six levels of English language proficiency:

  • Level 1 – Entering

  • Level 2 – Emerging

  • Level 3 – Developing

  • Level 4 – Expanding

  • Level 5 – Bridging

  • Level 6 – Reaching

Student data is evaluated yearly to determine if adequate yearly progress is being made. Results on ACCESS for ELLs are used by PDE and Manheim Central for monitoring the progress of students, for making decisions about reclassifying students from language instruction educational programs, and for accountability.

All EL students are also required to take the PSSA. ELs who have been in an American school less than one year are exempt from the PSSA for Reading, but still must participate in the PSSA for Math. PSSA accommodations, as identified by the PDE Accommodations Guidelines for English Learners, are provided to LEP students when appropriate. In addition, ELs participate in additional standardized testing, such as, DIBELS and STAR to provide additional measures of student growth.