In 2007, Arkansas began to use the English Language Development Assessment (ELDA) to assess the English language acquisition process of K-12 English language learners (ELLs). Up to that time, Arkansas had used the Maculaitis Edition II (Mac II).
In order to assess growth of individual students over time, it is, therefore, necessary to be able to express scores on the two tests on a common scale so that scores on the Mac II can be expressed as ELDA scores or ELDA scores can be expressed as Mac II scores.
Measurement Incorporated conducted an equating study that yielded equating scales for grades K-12. An explanation of the conversion analysis and K-12 ELDA/Mac II equating scales for composite scores and scores in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and comprehension are located on the Arkansas Department of Education Web site at http://arkansased.org/lep/scale.html.
For questions about English Language Learner's assessment, including the ELDA/Mac II equating study and K-12 ELDA equating scales, contact Dr. Ellen Treadway in Curriculum, Assessment, and Research at 501-682-4252 or ellen.treadway@arkansas.gov.