Missouri Sixth State To Join Leading Testing and Instruction Best Practices Consortium for English as a Second Language

CTB/McGraw-Hill announced today that Missouri is the sixth state to join the independent English Language Proficiency Collaboration and Research Consortium (ELPCRC). Founded in October 2007, the ELPCRC's mission is to collaborate, provide unified representation, and undertake studies and research for the improvement of ELL testing and instruction. Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, and now Missouri, have implemented CTB/McGraw-Hill's LAS Links English language proficiency assessment for their statewide English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. All six states are uniting based on this common platform to ensure a greater level of consistency, uniformity and quality in their programs.

"Missouri is pleased to work with CTB/McGraw-Hill to implement LAS Links as the Missouri English language proficiency assessment," said Michael Muenks, Coordinator of Curriculum and Assessment for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has adopted LAS Links as the English language proficiency assessment in the State's Migrant Education/English Language Learning (MELL) program. LAS Links is an integrated suite of English language proficiency assessments designed to help educators measure and report students' English language skills, and provide information to monitor their progress. By utilizing LAS Links and other resources to better serve ESL and migrant students throughout the state, MELL allows resources to swiftly reach all Missouri school districts with children of need. Through MELL, DESE tested 17,390 K-12 ESL students from approximately 350 school districts during Spring 2009.

"CTB/McGraw-Hill considers it an honor that Missouri has joined the ELPCRC think tank," said Ellen Haley, president of CTB/McGraw-Hill. "It is our privilege to support the Consortium, which continues to provide benefits to members as they pool resources to optimize their use of LAS Links."

About LAS Links Assessment and Instructional Tools

LAS Links is an integrated system of reliable, research-based assessments and instructional guidance for all English language learners. The system also provides compliance with NCLB Title III requirements. Features include:

  --  K-12 proficiency assessments for accurate placement/evaluation
  --  Benchmark assessments for ongoing progress monitoring

  --  Instructional guidance and staff development tools to help teachers
      use test results to inform learning and address students' needs

The K-12 assessment uses a common vertical scale to measure the four NCLB domains of listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and incorporates realistic illustrations, contextualized reading passages, photographs, and culturally relevant test content to encourage students to do their best. Test formats include multiple-choice and performance-based questions that address a wide range of language skills. Test items include language from subjects such as math, science, technology, and social studies. The LAS Links system is compatible with any English language proficiency test a state or district chooses to administer. For more information, visit www.CTB.com/LASLinks.

About CTB/McGraw-Hill

As the nation's leading publisher of standardized and standards-based achievement tests for pre-school, elementary, middle, high school, and adult education, CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC offers a broad range of assessments, software and services. CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC is part of McGraw-Hill Education (MHE), a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP). MHE is a leading global provider of print and digital instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 65 languages. Additional information is available at www.CTB.com.

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SOURCE: CTB/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Brandon Engle, Manager, Communications of CTB/McGraw-Hill,
+1-916-933-1291, Brandon_Engle@ctb.com

Web Site: http://www.ctb.com/