Provide comments on DDOE amendment to EL target

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is planning to submit an amendment to adjust the attainment target for English learners (ELs). This revision comes following a review of EL student performance data as measured by the WIDA ACCESS 2.0 assessment, which was rescaled in 2016. DDOE plans to adjust the attainment target from a current overall composite score of PL 5.0 to an overall composite score of PL 4.7. (See background below.) This adjustment will have an impact on how the Progress toward English Language Proficiency measure in the Delaware accountability system is calculated.

Comments on this proposed amendment are due Friday, Feb. 14 to continuous.improvement@doe.k12.de.us. Once DDOE has reviewed all comments received and has made any appropriate modifications to the proposed plan amendment, the comments will be made available to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) as part of the state’s amendment request.

Background: DDOE has historically used a 5.0 composite scale score on the ACCESS assessment as the point in which English learners demonstrate English language proficiency and no longer retain the English learner identification. DDOE made the decision in 2017 to retain the same attainment target criteria of a 5.0 composite performance level despite the rescaling of the assessment in that same year.  This decision was made to allow the DDOE to review students’ performance for several years on the newly scaled assessment.  Two years of student data now demonstrate that the composite performance level of 5.0 is currently requiring English learners in Delaware to perform at higher levels than their non-English learner peers.  After careful analysis of content assessment proficiency scores, it has been determined that English learners demonstrate a similar ability to succeed as their non-English learner peers (as measured by the statewide English language arts content assessment) when they achieve a proficiency level of 4.7 on the ACCESS for ELs assessment.  This change is required so English learners are appropriately measured and reclassified (exited) from English learner status. 

Provide feedback on Delaware Ed-Flex application

DDOE is applying to the U.S. Department of Education for waivers of certain federal grant requirements. This application process is called Ed-Flex and is made available to states through the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999, as evidenced by the more-recent Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Ed-Flex provides states, districts and charter schools with increased flexibility in implementing federal education programs.

Learn more about Delaware’s Ed-Flex application and provide comments online at https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/1143.

Learn more about Delaware's ESSA Plan.

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