Attention Teachers and Administrators:

Ballard & Tighe, Publishers is offering a great opportunity this fall (mid August to September 2009) to earn educational materials for your school. Take advantage and sign up now!

We are looking for kindergarten students to take:

• an Oral test in English
• an Oral test in Spanish
• a Reading and Writing test in English

Ballard & Tighe is developing new forms of the IPT Oral English and Spanish tests for grades kindergarten through 12 that will be published in 2010. We are also revising the Early Literacy Reading and Writing test for grades K–1. We have been gathering data all spring from students across the country. The final stage in the field testing is the Fall Kindergarten Study. We are looking for qualified schools to participate with their kindergartners!

Please read the “Frequently Asked Questions” to determine if your school is qualified. Then fill out the attached IPT Kindergarten Test Confirmation Form and fax it to (714) 990-4308.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Field Test

Who is Ballard & Tighe?
Ballard & Tighe, a publishing company located in Southern California, specializes in materials for English language learners (ELLs). For more than 30 years, Ballard & Tighe has provided teachers and administrators with high quality assessment and instructional materials that help ensure academic success for the nation’s diverse student population.

What are the IPT I Oral tests?
The IPT I Oral tests in English and Spanish are accurate, grade appropriate and easy-to-administer test instruments that evaluate the Oral skills of students in English and Spanish, respectively. The English test is intended for students who are potentially Limited English Proficient (LEP), or who indicate another language as their home language. The Spanish test is intended for students who indicate Spanish as their home language or a language that they speak, and provides information about the participants’ oral proficiency in Spanish. The test is often used in bilingual or two-way immersion education. The IPT I Oral is designed to assist in the designation of students in kindergarten through 6th grade as Non-, Limited, or Fluent English or Spanish Speaking, but the Fall Kindergarten Study concentrates on kindergartners only. The tests provide teachers with information that assists in determining the appropriate curriculum and instruction for the student.

What do the IPT I Oral English and Spanish tests consist of?
The IPT I is designed for grades K-6. The tests assess four basic areas of oral language proficiency: Vocabulary, Comprehension, Syntax, and Verbal Expression. All parts of the tests are designed to be individually administered. The average testing time is 30-40 minutes per student during the Fall Kindergarten Study. Time will vary depending on the promptness of the child’s responses. The English test must be administered by a proficient English speaker while the Spanish test must be administered by a proficient Spanish speaker and reader, ideally a credentialed teacher.

What is the IPT Early Literacy Test?
The IPT Early Literacy Test is a quick and efficient test instrument that evaluates the English reading and writing readiness skills of students who are potentially Limited English Proficient (LEP) or who indicate another language as their home language. Designed for kindergartners and first graders (K–1), this test will provide teachers with information that will assist in determining the appropriate curriculum and instruction for the student.

What does the IPT Early Literacy Test consist of?
This test is comprised of a reading assessment (with six parts for kindergarten students) and a writing assessment (with three parts for kindergarten students). All parts of both the reading and the writing assessments are designed to be group administered. The administration time for each test depends upon the abilities of the students taking them; however, in general, a test administrator should allow around 30-50 minutes for the reading and 20-30 minutes for the writing. The test can be administered in a small group setting of 4–5 students. The test must be administered by a proficient English speaker and reader, ideally a credentialed teacher.

What is the purpose of the field study?
The purpose of the field study is to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the test items and to establish norms for score interpretation. The field study also provides an opportunity to analyze the quality and functionality of the testing materials, examiner materials, and the training procedures. We are looking for students at all levels of English proficiency, from Non-English proficient through native English speakers. The same is true for the Spanish test – all levels of Spanish proficiency.

Can my school participate in the field study?
Any school, public or private, can participate.

Does my school need a minimum number of students to participate?
Yes. Ballard & Tighe requires a minimum of 10 students per school. Students may take both the Oral and Reading and Writing test in English, and they may also take the Spanish Oral I if they have any Spanish skills, but participation in more than one test is not required.

What will my school be required to do for the field study?

1. Make sure an appropriate English or Spanish speaker/reader, preferably a credentialed teacher, is available to administer the field test.
   
2. Read carefully, and then follow exactly, the instructions in the Administration Guide.
   
3. a) Conduct the Oral test individually with your students, AND/OR
   b) Conduct the group administered reading and writing test with your students.
   
4. Provide complete background information for each student on a separate Demographic Sheet, including “Teacher Opinion” and “District Designation” boxes.
   
5. Return all testing materials by the date requested.

When must the test be administered?
The Fall Kindergarten Study testing needs to be administered by October 3, 2009. Schools should expect to receive materials and schedule training during August to September. All testing, examiner, and training materials will be returned to Ballard & Tighe.

What type of compensation will be provided?
For each completed field test, Ballard & Tighe will provide $10 in credit towards any Ballard & Tighe materials. Our catalog is available online at www.ballard-tighe.com. The credit will be issued to the school; Ballard & Tighe will not issue compensation directly to individual teachers. Credit will be issued to the school within six weeks of receipt of all testing, examiner, and training materials.

How can my school sign up?
Please fill out the Fall Kindergarten Study Confirmation Form and fax it to (714) 990-4308 as soon as possible to ensure that arrangements can be made for you to start testing as soon as feasible in the fall. Please note that space is limited for these tests and qualified schools will be accepted on a “first come, first served” basis.

For more information, please contact:
Nancie Lafferty
Supervising Operations Manager, Assessment
Email: nlafferty@ballard-tighe.com
Phone: (800) 321-4332 Ext. 402