Avant Partners with the New Mexico Public Education Department
In 2018, the Bilingual Multicultural Education Program (BMEP) Assessment taskforce was selected to research, review and identify assessments for Spanish language proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking that are rigorous and meet the states’ Regulations and Standards.
The BMEP Assessment taskforce members worked in coordination with the state, via direct advisement to the Language and Culture Bureau. After careful and thorough review of the various assessments, the taskforce recommended Avant STAMP as the best available assessment for the students of New Mexico. Avant STAMP assessment scores are based on the ACTFL proficiency standards, which the state has adopted. Avant STAMP scores are delivered electronically within seven business days, allowing for the data to be utilized for driving instruction and making program decisions. Individual student Speaking and Writing responses are available for viewing to teachers and administrators, along with class summary charts. The Avant STAMP assessments are administered in a group setting and take an average of two hours to complete. STAMP assessments feature a unique adaptive design, so students never see the same test. Avant also offers language proficiency assessments in a variety of languages to accommodate testing for the State of New Mexico Diploma of Excellence Bilingual and Biliteracy Seal. Avant is honored to support the students of New Mexico with achieving their language proficiency goals.
Avant Assessment for Bilingual Multicultural Education Programs (BMEPs)
Avant Assessment for BMEPs
The NMPED has contracted with Avant Assessment to deliver Spanish Language Proficiency testing in all participating state-funded Bilingual Multicultural Education Programs (BMEPs). The Avant STAMP test is the statewide Spanish language proficiency assessment for state-funded Bilingual Multicultural Education Programs (BMEPs) for school year 2021-2022.
Approved Spanish Language Proficiency Assessments for BMEPs:
STAMP 2Se
2-Skills
Listening and Speaking Grades K-1
STAMP 4Se
4 Skill
Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Grades 2-6
STAMP 4S
4-Skill
Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Grades 7-12
Avant SHL
Placement Test:
Vocabulary, Reading, Contextualized Grammar, Writing and Speaking
Grades 7-12
For state-funded BMEP students to be identified as proficient, they must earn a minimum composite score of 6 (Intermediate-High) on the STAMP 4S assessment.
NMPED is covering the cost of once-a-year assessment of students enrolled in a state-funded BMEP who have not yet been identified as proficient (Level 6, Intermediate-High) in the Spanish Language through the annual assessment. All other testing conducted through Avant must be paid for by the district or charter school.
State-funded BMEPs must conduct the annual Spanish Language Proficiency Testing during the
2021-2022 School Year. Students must take the assessment in person.
- Bilingual Multicultural Education Programs must deliver the Avant STAMP assessment for Spanish Language Proficiency to qualifying students annually.
- During the 2021-2022 school year, the STAMP assessment is to be administered in person.
- The deadline for the Avant STAMP assessment administration for state-funded BMEPs is Friday, April 29, 2022. Please ensure all students in a state-funded BMEP, who have not yet scored at the proficient level in Spanish, take the statewide Avant STAMP assessment by this date.
Testing Window & Test Quantity
Testing Window
When setting up testing, you will be able to select a large testing window timeframe so that you can schedule testing when you have access to students. You can initiate the setup process even though you may be unsure of if/when students will be in person. The deadline for the Avant STAMP assessment administration for state-funded BMEPs is Friday, April 29, 2022. Please ensure all students in a state-funded BMEP, who have not yet scored at the proficient level in Spanish, take the statewide Avant STAMP assessment by this date.
Test Quantity
Please determine your total test quantity estimate based upon current enrollment in the state funded BMEP. NMPED will approve each district and charter for a specific quantity as determined by the 40-day enrollment counts, but we recognize that enrollment may change throughout the year and that some students in the BMEP may have already achieved the desired proficiency score on previous annual assessments.
For districts and charters who have tested with STAMP in the past, the process to determine which BMEP students are eligible for testing and which students have already reached proficiency will look like this:
Review list of historical STAMP test data, sorting by the “Composite Score”.
Highlight or sort out all students who have a composite score of “6” or higher on the STAMP 4S test.
From your list of students that scored a “6” or higher on a previous STAMP 4S test, remove those who have left the district, including:
Seniors who have graduated out of the district/charter.
Students who have transferred out of the BMEP or district/charter.
The remaining count should be the number of students, still currently enrolled in the BMEP, who have already reached proficiency.
Deduct the number of students who have already reached proficiency from the 40-day data count to determine the number of eligible students for annual Spanish Proficiency testing.
There are two methods for setting up testing. If you have not yet initiated testing setup for the 2021-2022 School Year, please refer to the setup instructions for Clever or Manual Rostering.”
Setup Method 1: Clever
Setup Method 1: Steps for requesting access to the Avant STAMP test within Clever:
When setting up testing, you will be able to select a large testing window timeframe so that you can schedule testing when you have access to students. You can initiate the setup process even though you may be unsure of it/when students will be in person.
Select this setup method if the students in your BMEP are currently using or planning to implement the Clever Platform. Clever allows us to offer:
Smooth test data integration with Student Information System (SIS)
Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities
Automatic Rostering
Secure, user-friendly testing
To request access to Avant’s tests through Clever, please click here to complete this survey.
Please Note: This process can take up to two weeks.
For more information on STAMP testing through Clever, click here.
Setup Method 2: Manual Rostering
Setup Method 2: Steps for requesting access to the Avant STAMP test using manual rostering:
For districts and charters that do not use Clever, we have a manual rostering method that utilizes a secure Google folder where we have placed the Avant roster template file. We will grant folder permissions to the testing coordinator and IT/network coordinator based on the information you provide us.
To request the secure Google folder link, email the Avant Rostering Team.
Include the names and emails of your testing coordinator and IT/network coordinator, along with your test quantity needs.
Once the secure folder has been shared and your team has added the roster to the shared folder, we will begin the process of compiling the roster. Once this has been completed, we will upload the completed roster file back to the shared folder. Please note: this process can take up to two weeks.
Avant Spanish for Heritage Learners Assessment (SHL)
Avant Spanish for Heritage Learners (SHL) Assessment
The Avant SHL test can be used as a screener at the secondary grades to measure Spanish language proficiency for students who are newcomers and who have Spanish as their dominant language. The SHL test will provide a suggested level of course placement for these students entering your program. The cost of such a screening at the secondary level is covered once per newcomer student by the NMPED. Elementary students who are newcomers and who have Spanish as the dominant language should use the STAMP 4Se assessment.
Testing for New Arrival Students (from Spanish speaking countries) in 7th – 12th grade who take the Avant STAMP as part of the state-funded BMEP:
- In the Avant STAMP 4S assessment for grades 7 and above, the Reading and Listening section questions are in Novice to Intermediate level English.
- Students in 7th grade and above taking STAMP 4S who are not yet at a 7th grade equivalency for their English proficiency, will require accommodations from a Spanish-speaking aide to complete the Reading and Listening sections of the test.
- In the Avant STAMP 4S assessment for grades 7 and above, the Speaking and Writing section prompts are in written English with Spanish audio support.
- STAMP 4S Accommodations Guide – for assisting students who are not yet at a 7th grade equivalency for their English proficiency in the Reading and Listening sections of the test.
Avant SHL test as an alternate assessment option for New Arrival Students (from Spanish speaking countries) in 7th – 12th grade who are a part of the state-funded BMEP:
- Using the Spanish Heritage Language (SHL) Test as a screener when they arrive at the district/charter to place them into an appropriate level course.
Any New Arrival Students (from Spanish speaking countries) in grade 6 and below who take the Avant STAMP as part of the state-funded BMEP, will take the Avant STAMP 4Se assessment.
Resources
Avant Assessment for the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy (SSBB)
Avant Assessment for the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy
The assessment cost for juniors and seniors who take the assessment for the purpose of earning the State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy on the Diploma of Excellence will be covered by the NMPED. NMPED is covering the cost of up to two assessments for juniors or seniors assessing for the SSBB for approved Districts and Charter Schools that have an approved SSBB adoption. Testing should be conducted during the 2021-2022 school year. The deadline for the Avant STAMP and Avant STAMP WS assessment administration to earn the SSBB is Friday, April 29, 2022. Please ensure all students who are taking the Avant STAMP or Avant STAMP WS assessment for the SSBB take the assessment by this date.
Approved assessments for the NM SSBB:
STAMP 4S
4-Skills
Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Grades 7-12
STAMP WS
2-Skill
Writing and Speaking
Grades 7-12
STAMP 3S
3-Skill
Reading, Writing, Speaking
Grades 7-12
As of School Year 2021-2022, students need to score a minimum of 5 (Intermediate-Mid) in all four sections of the STAMP 4S test to qualify for the second language piece of the SSBB. Students need to score a minimum of 5 (Intermediate-Mid) in both sections of the STAMP WS test to qualify for the second language piece of the SSBB.
Test coordinators will have access to all score reports online with their own results account login and oversee relaying the scores to NMPED and to the students. More information on score reports can be found in our STAMP 4S Reporting Guide.
The ProctorTrack Remote Proctoring option through Avant is only available for seniors who are unable to test in-person. NMPED is covering the cost of remote proctoring for seniors in this situation. More information on the Proctortrack Remote Proctoring option can be found here.
Testing Resources
We encourage test takers and test coordinators to review Avant’s online resources to help students understand what the expectations will be on the test, with a special focus on the productive skills of Writing and Speaking. Avant has user guides available for each of our assessments. Find the name of the assessment you are taking and click the drop down to review the guides available for that assessment.
They can review our Writing Response Examples and Power Up Guide to see what is expected at the Intermediate-Mid level. If you are testing juniors, they will have the chance to focus on improving their low score areas before testing again their senior year.
There are also sample tests available for test takers to have an idea of what it’s like to take an Avant assessment, and to test that their technology works. Sample tests are not given scores.
STAMP 3S
End of Grade 8 to 12th grade
STAMP 4S
End of Grade 8 to 12th grade
STAMP WS
End of Grade 8 to 12th grade
Testing Setup
Contact Bonnie Buck with your estimated count of students and the languages you need to test students in.
Available Testing Languages
Available SSBB Assessment Languages for the 2021/22 School Year:
End of grade 8th – 12th grade assessments taken for SSBB
STAMP 4S
Languages
Arabic
English
French
German
Hebrew
Hindi
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Mandarin (Simplified & Traditional)
Polish
Portuguese (Brazilian)
Russian
Spanish
STAMP WS
Languages
Amharic
Armenian
Chin (Hakha)
Chuukese
Czech
Filipino (Tagalog)
Haitian-Creole
Hawaiian
Hmong
Ilocano
Kannada
Marshallese
Marathi
Samoan
Somali Maay Maay
Somali Maxaa
Tamil
Telugu
Turkish
Urdu
Vietnamese
Yup’ik
Zomi
We look forward to supporting you with your testing!
Questions? Contact Account Manager Bonnie Buck to help!
