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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Anne-Marie Snow
Ballard & Tighe
Tel: (310) 559-4955 x104
Email: amsnow@ballard-tighe.com
Ballard & Tighe Names Dr. Sari Luoma
as Vice President, Assessment
BREA, CA – (February 8, 2006) – Ballard & Tighe, publisher of tests and instructional materials for limited English proficient (LEP) students, has named Dr. Sari Luoma as Vice President, Assessment.
Dr. Luoma joined Ballard & Tighe in 2002, becoming Director of Assessment in 2003, to serve as project team leader for the design and development of the company’s new IPT testing system — a comprehensive K-12 language proficiency testing system, specifically designed to help states meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
“Dr. Luoma’s efforts in leading the IPT development team have been extraordinary. Her extensive experience in language testing, and special expertise in initial test development have been invaluable and, as a result of Dr. Luoma’s involvement, Ballard & Tighe now offers a world-class assessment solution equal to any other,” noted Dorothy Roberts, Ballard & Tighe’s CEO.
“This promotion serves as recognition of Sari’s important contributions to the company's IPT team. We look forward to her continued support through her leadership of Ballard & Tighe’s assessment program,” added Ms. Roberts.
A language testing specialist, Sari Luoma holds a Ph.D. in applied linguistics from the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, as well as a B.A. and M.A. in language arts and education from the same institution. Prior to joining Ballard & Tighe, Dr. Luoma served as an assessment specialist at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California. In Finland, she designed and developed tests for the Finnish National Certificate and the Finnish Foreign Language Certificate for Professional Purposes. She also participated in the development of DIALANG, a diagnostic language testing system on the Internet for 14 European languages. In 2004, Dr. Luoma published her pioneering book, Assessing Speaking, exploring the issues surrounding the assessment of second language learners’ speaking abilities. Her numerous other publications include articles written for professional journals such as Language Testing and for edited volumes on language testing.
About Ballard & Tighe
Dedicated to making a difference in education, Ballard & Tighe publishes a highly regarded set of products that extend from assessing, identifying, and instructing students with limited English proficiency to transitioning these students into mainstream classrooms. Ballard & Tighe has provided valid and reliable English language proficiency assessments for over 25 years. The company has provided testing, instructional and training products and services to more than 2,200 state, regional, and local school systems throughout the United States and internationally. For information, call 800-321-4332 or visit Ballard & Tighe’s special NCLB-related website at www.nclb.ballard-tighe.com
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