Butler & Stevens

Standardized Assessment of Content Knowledge of ELL K-12, Butler & Stevens

The article states that the number of ESL students is increasing each year for grades k through 12. The students continue to take tests that are normed for English first language speakers, which makes it difficult for ELL students. If ELL students are excluded from tests they would not be represented, meaning needs will not be met for ELL students.

The article covered three ways ELL learners can be included in standardized tests. The first is testing in the first language. The tests are translated, and the translations have to compare to that of English academic language. The problem with that is that not all ELL students are literate in their first language, and if a test were translated in one language, other languages would be excluded. The second is that accommodations are made for ELL students (given extra time, a quiet place provided, use of dictionaries). The problem with accommodations is that results show no significant improvement in content area assessments, and also that accommodations made for one level may not be appropriate for other levels of ESL students. The third is one that seems to make more sense, and that is measuring growth in English. Students are assessed in ELD tests to measure growth in English as an additional or supplemental assessment. This measurement provides accountability for ELL students and gives students practice in taking standardized tests. If I’m not mistaken researches are continuing to be conducted that will benefit the ESL students.