WSAS: Selected Data Elements

The following data elements are collected as part of the Individual Student Enrollment System (ISES) and are used along with other data elements in ISES to generate WSAS Pre-ID files (grades 3-8 and 10) and for other purposes as noted below. Click on a term to see its description and reporting categories/codes.

Long-Term US Student Indicator

This data element was replaced by Years in US Schools in 2007-08.

N=No. Beginning with grade 1, student has attended school in the US for less than five consecutive full academic years. (e.g. Most fourth graders have attended grades 1, 2, and 3 = 3 consecutive years = 'N')
Y=Yes. Beginning with grade 1, student has attended school in the US for at least five consecutive full academic years. (e.g. Most eighth graders have attended grades 1 thru 7 = 7 consecutive years = 'Y')

USES: These data will only have significant accountability implications for ELL students with English language profiency (ELP) status codes 1 and 2. Accuracy of this data element is crucial for ELP 1-2 students. Students who have attended school in the US for 3 consecutive years, beginning with grade 1, must be assessed in Reading and Language Arts (using tests written in English), except that districts may determine that a student's knowledge and ability can be more accurately and reliably measured by assessing such student in the appropriate language other than English for a period that does not exceed two additional consecutive years. For a more complete definition see: No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Title I sec. 1111(b)(3)(C)(x)

NOTE: If this field is null in ISES, then ISES inserts an 'N' for selected records based on the student's English language proficiency code and grade level placement.

Section 504 Status

N=No.
Y=Yes.
X=Data Not Required. X is valid only for students in WI Department of Corrections and WI Department of Health Services and for parentally-placed private school students covered by a service plan. These students are not covered by WSAS testing requirements in s. 118.30 and s. 121.02(1).

A "student with Section 504 status" is any student who has a physical or mental impairment covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Some Section 504 students will also meet the definition of "student with a disability," and some will not.

USES: This data element is used to validate Testing Status codes.

Testing Status

P = Excused by parent from WSAS testing (WKCE and Alternate Assessments)

F = Not Tested on WSAS because the student is a Section 504 student whose IAP states that he/she should not participate in regular statewide testing even with accommodations. The "F" code should be used rarely, and is valid only for certain Section 504 students who are not SwD. SwD are required to participate in WSAS either by taking regular standardized assessments (with or without accommodations) or WSAS alternate assessments. This code is valid for 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 records. This code is not valid beginning with 2009-10 records.

T = Expected to take either regular WSAS assessments (WKCE, with or without appropriate accommodations) or WSAS alternate assessments in each of the content areas covered by WSAS. Use code "T" for all students not coded "P" or "F."

X=Data Not Required. X is valid only for students in WI Department of Corrections and WI Department of Health Services and for parentally-placed private school students covered by a service plan. These students are not covered by WSAS testing requirements in s. 118.30 and s. 121.02(1).

NOTE for 2006-07 collection only: The Wisconsin alternate Assessment for English Language Learners was not included in the Wisconsin Student Assessment System reporting or accountability in 2006-07. Wisconsin is working with the U.S. Department of Education and a multi-state consortium on assessment of English Language Learners.

There are two types of WSAS alternate assessments: Pre-Requisite English Alternate Assessments for students with English language proficiency (ELP) status codes of 1-2 (WAA-ELL) and Pre-Requisite Skill Alternate Assessments for certain students with disabilities (WAA-SwD). Students' English proficiency level is established by assessing students for English proficiency using a department-approved English language proficiency assessment. Students at levels 1-2 (codes 1-2) may participate in WKCE with appropriate accommodations as needed, if such participation is deemed valid and reliable at the local level. Students with ELP codes 1-2 MUST participate in WSAS alternate assessments in all tested subject areas regardless of whether they take WKCE. Note that students with ELP codes 3-7 and most students with disabilities are expected to take the WKCE (SwD and ELP codes 3-5 may be given appropriate testing accommodations as allowable). In addition, students with ELP codes 1-2 who are also "Long-Term US Student" indicator "Y" are required to take WKCE in Reading and Language Arts (in English). Students with limited English proficiency, and students with disabilities who participate in WKCE will have their WKCE score included in summary reports and used for accountability. For more information, see "DPI Guidelines to Facilitate the Participation of Students with Special Needs in State Assessments."

USES: This data element is used to determine the reason a student is not tested. It also affects WSAS scoring and reporting.

CHANGES: Beginning with 2006-07, if Testing Status is null in any ISES Count Date record for a WSAS Testing Grade, then ISES inserts 'T'. 'F' is a valid code for ISES 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 Count Date records only.

See also:
WSLS, ISES, and WSAS
WSLS/ISES Data Element Descriptions

Last updated on 6/22/2011 10:42:59 AM