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Board approves Praxis/ETS cut scores for Latin, Chinese and Russian practice exams
Summary
ABTL approved recommended cut scores for three world-language practice exams and authorized the Department to use the Praxis/ETS practice assessments for educator endorsement purposes in those languages.
The ABTL voted to accept Praxis/ETS practice assessments for Latin, Chinese (Mandarin) and Russian with recommended cut scores for endorsement use. During a presentation, staff and the assessment vendor explained each exam’s design, how multi‑state standard‑setting panels set recommended passing marks, and comparative state cut-score practice across the nation.
For Latin, staff noted a recommended scaled score commonly used by states and shown in multi‑state analyses; for Chinese Mandarin and Russian, staff presented standard-setting results, participation counts and recommended scaled scores. The board accepted the recommended cut scores presented during the session and approved use of those practice exams for endorsement pathways in Virginia.
A board member asked whether adopting the practice assessments would create new endorsements or simply provide an assessment pathway for existing world-language endorsements; staff clarified that these assessments are being added as accepted instruments for existing endorsement routes in languages where the state previously lacked a vendor test.
Vote: The motion to accept the three practice assessments with the recommended cut scores passed by voice vote.
Provenance: topicintro: "I amended this motion... add Latin, Chinese Mandarin and Russian at the recommended cut score" (SEG 4339). topfinish: "All those in favor signify by saying I... Motion passes." (SEG 4390–4392).
