Archived FedPro Message

For more information about the programs discussed below,

please contact the Federal Grants Management Section (573) 751-3468.

Missouri English Language Proficiency Assessment

November 13, 2008

TO:                 ELL Coordinator

                        Assessment Coordinator

FROM:            Craig Rector, Director  (573) 526-3232

                        Federal Discretionary Grants

                        Michael Muenks, Coordinator

                        Curriculum and Assessment

SUBJECT:     Missouri English Language Proficiency Assessment (LAS Links™)

This communication is to clarify what students take the Missouri English Language Proficiency Assessment (LAS Links™) to be administered from Monday, February 2, 2009 to Friday, March 6, 2009.

Each Missouri school district will administer the LAS Links™ to K-12 students who are receiving ELL services and who are enrolled (or dually enrolled) in a Missouri public school or charter school academy.  Students that exited the ELL program (no longer require services) but are within the 2-year monitoring period are not to take this assessment.  The NCLB Act of 2001 requires each state to assess English language proficiency for all students who are eligible for ELL services.  The Act does not require testing of former ELL students in the monitoring status. 

This information replaces directions in the MISSOURI ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT ORDER FORM and prior guidance by DESE and MELL staff to include ELL students in the monitoring status in the assessment. 

Just as districts use multiple measures to determine if an ELL student is ready to exit the ESOL program, a district should use multiple measures to determine if an ELL student that has exited the ESOL program is still maintaining English language proficiency.  The district purchased screening assessment would be an alternative to the state purchased LAS Links™.

Bette Morff

Coordinator, Federal Grants and Financial Management

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

PO Box 480

Jefferson City, MO  65102

573-751-8280

Bette.Morff@dese.mo.gov