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Board approves revised exit criteria for certain English learners on WIDA Access Alternate
Summary
The State Board approved a change to the WIDA Access Alternate exit threshold for English learners with significant cognitive challenges, moving from 'a3' to 'p3' as presented by the Department of Education's assessment director.
The Delaware State Board of Education on June 12 approved a departmental request to revise exit criteria for English learners with the most significant cognitive challenges under the WIDA Access Alternate assessment.
April McRae, director of assessment and accountability at the Department of Education, told the board the change would adjust the exit achievement level from the previous designation of 'a 3' to the revised 'p 3' for eligible students as measured by the WIDA Access Alternate. McRae described the proposal as a formal request for approval; a board member moved, a second was provided and the motion passed by voice vote.
Board members asked no substantive follow-up questions at the time of the vote. McRae and the board characterized the change as an alignment of exit criteria for a small group of test-takers with significant cognitive disabilities; there was no roll-call vote recorded in the transcript, and the motion was approved by voice vote.
What was proposed: According to McRae, the revised exit threshold is measured by the WIDA Access Alternate and is intended for English learners with the most significant cognitive challenges; the change was presented as an update to the board's exit criteria for that specific assessment pathway.
Next steps: The board approved the change during the meeting and the department will enact the revised criterion for reporting and exits consistent with assessment and accountability timelines.
