This paper reports the results of a study designed to explore the relationships between speaking test task variables and linguistic features of spoken responses on a speaking assessment for Grade 7 multilingual English learners (age 12-13) in U.S. public schools. Speaking task responses from 30 high-proficiency test takers were transcribed and…

A longstanding criticism of traditional high-stakes writing assessments is their use of static prompts in which test takers compose a single text in response to a prompt. These static prompts do not allow measurement of the writing process. This paper describes the development and validation of an innovative interactive writing task. After the…

Large language models, such as OpenAI's GPT-4, have the potential to revolutionize automated writing evaluation (AWE). The present study examines the performance of the GPT-4 model in evaluating the writing of young English as a foreign language learners. Responses to three constructed response tasks (n = 1908) on Educational Testing Service's…

This article provides a detailed review of the Computer-based English Listening Speaking Test (CELST) used in Guangdong, China, as part of the National Matriculation English Test (NMET) to assess students' English proficiency. The CELST measures listening and speaking skills as outlined in the "English Curriculum for Senior Middle…