For Immediate Release
Contact: Traci Barnett
Tel: (714) 990-4332
Email: tbarnett@ballard-tighe.com

Ballard & Tighe Announces New NCLB-Compliant Language Testing Systems:
IPT 2004 Set for Spring Availability, with Enhanced IPT 2005 to Follow

— New Offerings for Testing Limited English Proficient Students Will Provide Easy Transition Path for Thousands of Current Ballard & Tighe Users at State and School District Levels —

BREA, CA – September 15, 2003 – Ballard & Tighe, publisher of highly regarded tests and instructional materials for limited English proficient (LEP) students, has announced plans to release its new IPT 2004, assessment series in time for next Spring’s national testing period. This enhanced version of the company’s pioneering IPT product line retains all its popular testing and scoring features, and complies fully with requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

The company also launched a new web site at nclb.ballard-tighe.com to provide full information about the new testing system and its components.

Set for first availability in the Spring of 2005 is Ballard & Tighe’s follow-on product, the new IPT 2005 language proficiency testing system. This NCLB-compliant family of assessment instruments is designed to adjust easily to varied English language proficiency standards set by individual states. Each state could, in effect, have its own customized version of IPT 2005 tests.

With this staged development and rollout process, Ballard & Tighe will provide a seamless migration path and full support for thousands of current and new IPT users at the state and school district level, according to Dorothy Roberts, president.

“More than 25 years ago, Ballard & Tighe’s founders created the IPT tests, one of the education industry’s first widely-adopted tests that accurately assessed student English language proficiency levels. Our newest product offerings in this category – IPT 2004 and IPT 2005 – will lead the way in response to changing government requirements, meet the evolving needs of the educational community, and make the transition an easy one for our customers,” Roberts said.

Designed to provide school districts with baseline data they can use to develop Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO), the new IPT 2004 tests will be available for testing K-12 students and will provide student scores in five categories: English speaking, listening, reading, writing, and comprehension. Additions to the examiner and technical manuals will include special instructions on how to use the NCLB-compliant IPT 2004.

The time-honored content of the current IPT test forms will not change, and key features will remain. These nationally normed testing instruments are available for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 levels. The tests are critically acclaimed for their excellent results, ease of use, quick and easy scoring, and superb reporting capabilities.

The IPT tests evaluate, accurately and quickly, students’ oral, reading and writing proficiency in English. A separate series is available to assess students’ Spanish language proficiency. The IPT tests are used for identification, placement, re-designation, and program evaluation. They assess proficiency in developmental stages, and help teachers select instructional programs tailored to meet each student’s specific needs.

IPT 2005, slated for first availability for the Spring 2005 national student test period, is a first-class testing, scoring, and reporting system that will address all the requirements in No Child Left Behind that impact LEP students.

“Not a test but rather a testing system, IPT 2005 will be based on scientific research that analyzes the specific needs of language learners, and the skills they must have in order to function successfully at each grade level in mainstream classrooms,” said Gary Buck, Ph.D., Ballard & Tighe’s assessment director and leader of the IPT 2005 development effort.

Dr. Buck explained that IPT 2005 will: assess both social language and academic language capabilities; reflect state and national standards; provide separate scores and designations for speaking, listening, reading, writing and comprehension; report scores on one standardized scale, running from kindergarten through grade 12; and provide empirically derived annual measurable achievement objectives for all grades.

With built-in flexibility, IPT 2005 will conform easily to the requirements set by individual states, especially those that want their own customized assessment instrument. In addition to customized tests, the product offering will feature a companion scoring and reporting system for schools, school districts, and states.

About Ballard & Tighe
Dedicated to making a difference in education, Ballard & Tighe publishes a highly regarded set of products that extend from assessing, identifying, and instructing students with limited English proficiency to transitioning these students into mainstream classrooms. The company was founded in 1976 by Wanda Ballard and Phyllis Tighe, pioneers in the field of educational ESL (English as a Second Language). Currently, Ballard & Tighe provides testing, instructional, and training products and services to more than 2,200 state, regional, and local school systems throughout the United States and internationally. Ballard & Tighe’s staff of seasoned educators and technical product developers is exclusively focused on delivering language assessment, English language development, and social studies materials, as well as online professional training that will help ensure academic success for today’s increasingly diverse student population.

Information at: nclb.ballard-tighe.com