STEP Continua

Initial Assessment

develop a student profile

determine placement

provide a starting point for instruction

initial assessment should be updated with ongoing assessment

support programming

Ongoing Assessment

support planning and programming decisions

select appropriate resources

not only ESL/ELD instruction but also regular curriculum should be designed based on the STEP assessment

implement responsive differentiated instruction and assessment

identify program accommodation and/or modifications

classroom environment, technology support and human support

make decisions regarding participation in and support for large-scale assessment

whether ESL/ELD student will participate

do they get the report from the test if they participate

what kinds of accommodation should be provided

determine discontinuation of ESL/ELD support

whether student has enough BICS and CALP skills

do they need accommodation after discontinuation of ESL/ELD program

collect and analyse data to assist in decision making

use STEP descriptors to find the evidence

communication

professional dialogue

describe language acqusition to facilitate collaboration and communication

collaborate with colleagues in developing linguistically appropriate teaching strategies

provide students and parents with accurate indication of the child's level of English language

teacher-parent conference

report card

assessment

track language proficiency and literacy development

monitor students' language acquisition and literacy development

Is the program supporting student appropriate

Is the student trying?

How is the student's emotional status?

Is there any barrier in learning?

understand their level of language acquisition and literacy development

interpret the students output

what is the next step?

identify possible special learning needs

engage students in self-assessment and goal setting

monitor their learning and use feedback to guide their learning

help them set a clear understandable achievable goal

have them understand the whereabouts of their progress

guide them in compiling evidence of their learning to share with teachers and parents

design tarted, focussed assessment for and as learning in all areas of the curriculum

assessment for learning

anecdotal records of observation

demonstrations or experiments

interactive journals

interview

problem solving

assessment as learning

portfolio assessment

direct and timely feedback from the teacher

self-assessment checklist

reflective journal entries

Reference: STEP
Steps to English Proficiency
A Guide for Users