Spanish Heritage Language (SHL) Test Reporting Guide

View Test Instances

To view test instances, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Access Report using Test Code and Password provided by Avant

Step 2: Filter and Search Test Instances

Step 1: Access Report

1. Go to https://app.avantassessment.com/login
2. Enter the Test Code provided by Avant Assessment
3. Click LOG IN
4. Enter the Password provided by Avant Assessment
5. Click LOG IN

Step 2: Filter and Search Test Instances

The Report Page allows Testing Coordinators to do the following:

• Filter by Language
• Search by First Name, Last Name, Login Name
• Filter by Date

hotspot Search by First Name or Last Name hotspot Search by Login Name hotspot Filter by Date

Monitor Test Progress

Use the screen to track test takers’ progress through the test:

• Determine who has taken the test
• Determine who needs to finish the test
• Determine how a test taker’s Login Name was entered for those who need to resume the test

Test Status Explanations

The test taker has not started this section of the test. If all sections are marked NS the test taker has completed only the Profile.

The test taker has started, but not completed, this section of the test. For the Writing and Speaking sections, click the IP to see how many responses have been submitted.

This section of the test is complete, but rating is not complete for one or more responses. Click the SP to see how many responses have been rated.

Writing or Speaking sections will have status NR (Not Ratable) if a rater is not able to rate any of the responses in the section.

Not Ratable responses are generally due to technology challenges and are flagged as such in the report. Other situations, for example, if the testing environment is too noisy for the rater to hear the test taker response OR the test taker has whispered their response to the point it cannot be rated, an NR score will be given for that response.

Possible Reasons for Being “Not Ratable”

Technology Issues

SPEAKING: No audio, buzzing, static/noises or low audio volume that prevents an accurate score. These are clear cases of technology hindering the ability to complete the task.

WRITING: Test taker indicates that no keyboard was set up for character-based languages or had other typing/input issues.

Other​

SPEAKING: Test taker is speaking, however, there are loud background noises like disruptive test takers near the test taker, fire alarms, teachers giving instructions/directions in the background or test taker is whispering, preventing the raters from being able to adequately hear the complete response.

SPEAKING/WRITING: Test taker describes the picture or reads/translates the prompt or responds using dialect.

The NR status for Writing or Speaking sections does not count against the test taker in the composite score. Writing and Speaking sections with NR status can be reset at no charge. Resets must be requested and completed within 90 days of starting the test. Please refer to Avant’s Test Retake and Reset Policy.

As the STAMP test is increasingly used for higher stakes purposes like awarding either credit or the Seal of Biliteracy, Avant has also increased the rigor of our rating process. The purpose of the zero score is simply to act as a flag that a potential test taker agreement violation has been identified in the response.

Our raters are trained to identify responses that may include some of the following behaviors in test taker responses:

• Using ANY outside resources (translation support).
• Writing out your Speaking response and reading it (flagged for poor pronunciation of very common words and/or a reading cadence rather than fluent or natural flow).
• Any action or evidence that the test taker may have received assistance or support in completing any portion of the task.

All the above instances will be flagged with zero score. Once these flags are observed in the report by the teacher or administrator, they should review each instance to see what the test taker submitted and if there are further questions, then reach out to Avant to discuss these. If the teacher/proctor can share with us the conditions of the testing environment and verify that the test takers did not use outside resources, including paper to write out their spoken response, we can review those responses.

By doing this, we can better support the validity of the test as it is used for higher stakes purposes. Our intention is to better partner with teachers/proctors and administrators on providing a secure testing environment and accurate scores.

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Level zero (0) scores for Writing and Speaking responses will count toward the section score and will lower the overall composite score. Level zero (0) scores cannot be reset. Please refer to Avant’s Test Retake and Reset Policy.

Writing or Speaking responses will receive a zero (0) score for one of the following reasons which will be displayed on the report:

Possible Reasons for Zero Score

Test Agreement Violation

• Using ANY outside resources (translation support).
• Writing out your Speaking response and reading it (flagged for poor pronunciation of very common words and/or a reading cadence rather than fluent or natural flow).
• Any action or evidence that the test taker may have received assistance or support in completing any portion of the task.

Please refer to the test taker agreement items found here.

Non-Target Language

Response is given entirely in a language other than the target/test language.

No Attempt to Respond / Only ONE Target Language Word

WRITING: No response given.

SPEAKING/WRITING:  Speaking response submitted with only background noise (no response), or ONLY ONE target language word. Test taker responds with “I DON’T KNOW” or similar response in English or testing language.

Off Topic

Response fails to address ANY portion of the prompt or task.

Gibberish

Language provided makes no sense to even sympathetic reader/listener.

Violent Language

Any language that is threatening, menacing or violent towards ANY participant in the narrative or to the reader.

Profane Language

Any language that is vulgar, offensive, profane, or disrespectful towards ANY participant in the narrative or to the reader.

Monitor Scoring

• Lexical recognition, dictation, partial translation, sentence completion, and verb conjugation scores are available when the test taker completes each section.
• Writing and speaking scores are typically available from 3 to 5 business days after test completion.

Read more about SHL Test design and SHL Test Section Descriptions.

Self-Evaluation Section

Upon logging in, the test taker answers a series of questions indicating what they believe they can do in the language across five modes of communication:

• Interpretive Mode – LISTENING (Understanding Spoken Language)
• Interpretive Mode – READING (Understanding Written Language)
• Interpersonal Mode – SPEAKING (Speaking with another person)
• Presentational Mode – SPEAKING (Speaking to another person or audience)
• Presentational Mode – Writing (Writing to another person or audience)

The Self-Evaluation score is available when the test taker completes the section. The Self-Evaluation section score is not included in the Avant Score calculation.

Avant Score

The Avant Score shows an appropriate placement level for a test taker. The Avant Score is not a total average score. The Avant Score is determined by the calculation of scores from each section (lexical recognition, dictation, partial translation, sentence completion, verb conjugation, speaking, and writing).

Please refer to SHL Test Grades 7-12 Suggested Placement Level and SHL Test Higher Ed Suggested Placement Levels to see descriptions of levels.

IMPORTANT: An asterisk (*) displays to indicate that the test taker appears to be at the high end of the indicated Avant Score.

Accessing Writing and Speaking Responses

The Avant SHL test Writing and Speaking responses are evaluated by Avant Certified Raters using the Avant SHL Rubric.

To view or listen to the test taker’s Writing and/or Speaking response, click the score shown in that area of the detail report. The Writing response will be displayed. Click the Play button to listen to the Speaking response. 

Level Keys

Scoring is done using Benchmark Levels 1-7. The levels are associated with Benchmark Categories of Novice, Intermediate and Advanced as shown in the Level Keys below. The numbers 1-7 for Writing and Speaking relate to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in the following manner:

The Avant SHL test Writing and Speaking responses are evaluated by Avant Certified Raters using the Avant SHL Rubric.

Download Results

Access and download Individual Reports and Results Summary for test takers. For best results, wait until all testing and rating is complete.

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Individual Reports Download

See Larger

hotspot View Individual Report

Access and create Individual Reports for a specific or all test takers on the list:

Create Individual Report for a specific test taker.

1. Click on the report icon to access the Individual Report for a specific test taker.
2. Click on the Printer icon to print out the Individual Report (you can create a PDF version of the report if your printer selection includes a PDF writer).

Create Individual Reports for multiple or all test takers on the list.

1. Check the box to the left of the test takers you wish to generate reports for.
2. Click on the Printer icon, then click on Individual Reports and then click on either All or Selected. 
3.  Click on the Printer icon on the report.

Individual Reports include the following sections and information:

hotspot 1. Print Report hotspot 2. Avant Score hotspot 3. Self Evanuation

• Avant Score Section
  • Lexical recognition
  • Dictation
  • Translation
  • Sentence completion
  • Verb conjugation
  • Speaking
  • Writing
• Self-Evaluation Section
  • Interpretive Mode – Listening
  • Interpretive Mode – Reading
  • Interpersonal Mode – Speaking
  • Presentational Mode – Speaking
  • Presentational Mode – Writing
  • Proficiency Self-Evaluation Level
• Test Taker Profile Information
  • Test Taker Email Address
  • Years studied the testing language
  • Grades formerly studied the testing language
  • Tests taken in the testing language
  • Family speaks Non-English at home

If desired, the Individual Report can be distributed to test takers or parents, along with the Avant SHL Scoring Rubric.

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Results Summary Download

The Test Taker Data download feature creates an Excel (.csv) file that includes test taker test results along with the profile information and other test-taking data. From the spreadsheet you can create a customized report with just the fields you want, and sort it as needed.

hotspot 1. Download Spreadsheet

To create the download file:

1. Click the download button and allow a few moments for the download to load and click on Test Taker Data when the link appears.
2. Follow the instructions on your screen, which may vary depending on your computer setup.

See an example of CSV download here.

Retakes and Resets

Under certain circumstances, retesting and resetting portions of the test may be permitted. Please refer to our Request a Retake page for more information on our policy and how to make the request.