Description: This is a collection of questions and answers generated by the first implementation of the data collection instruments. The feedback received has helped us to generate not only this list of frequently asked questions, but also improvements to the instruments themselves. We thank everyone involved in this process and encourage future questions/comments to expand this list and improve our instruments.
Which Students Should Be Counted?
QUESTION : Should we report data for all students?
ANSWER : No. Only data from ELLs in your school, class(es), and comparison teachers' class(es) should be reported.
QUESTION : Our transient rates are very high. Should we only report those students who where both tested in the fall and the spring?
ANSWER : No. Though that would be good to know, it would also leave out a significant number of students in some schools.
Attendance
QUESTION : How should I report attendance numbers?
ANSWER : Attendance is reported as a percentage. This is the same kind of attendance measure that schools report to the IDoE.
Proficiency Scores
QUESTION : When reporting Proficiency scores, should that be an average for each semester?
ANSWER : No. Since we do not have a common proficiency test in Indiana, it would be best if you reported both the total number of students being tested (in the school and in your classes) and the number who are designated Limited English Proficient.
ISTAR
QUESTION : We do not have access to ISTAR data after reporting to the state. How should I report these scores?
ANSWER : The ISTAR is probably the most difficult test to report on at this point. Some folks are concerned that they cannot get aggregate data for the school. TACIT participants should have access to their students' scores and should report those.
ENL Coordinators, however, must rely on the ISTAR (state) interface to get school-wide data (by grade level of TACIT participants). The state website (ISTAR manual - http://istar.doe.state.in.us/docs/handbooks/2005%20ISTAR%20TM%207-11-05.pdf ) indicates that administrators should be able to get aggregated reports, by school, through the ISTAR interface ( http://istar.doe.state.in.us ). However, we all know that "should be" and "can" are two entirely different things. Let me know what information that you are able to retrieve and through which mechanism (i.e., ISTAR interface, state source, friend in the records office, etc.). We can then adjust our data collection aspirations to better reflect your capabilities.
Comparison Teachers
QUESTION : How should I choose a comparison teacher?
ANSWER : The comparison teacher should be chosen by the ENL coordinator. The comparison teacher should be similar to the TACIT participant in: grade level and student demographics (language(s), number of students, and socio-economic status). Please include these comparison indicators in your report.
Tandem Certification for Indiana Teachers (TACIT)
Indiana University, Bloomington
