This article poses five questions to guide middle school content teachers in making adaptations and accommodations when using traditional classroom tests. Each state must assess students performance in reading or language arts in order to comply with the no child left behind act nclb. English language proficiency measures and accommodation uses1 mikyung kim wolf, joan l. Practical, effective strategies for assessing oral language proficiency, reading, writing, and the content areas. Other terms help to define the meaning of authentic assessment. Considerations for assessing english language learner students.
This practical resource book will familiarize teachers, staff developers, and administrators with the latest thinking on alternatives to traditional assessment. English language proficiency assessments for young learners. Having students write a childrens book, create an advertisement or make a collage can lower the linguistic demand while giving the. Michael omalley, lorraine valdez pierce and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
For a variety of reasons, including a language barrier, the assessments end up. Authentic assessment for english language learners youtube. Participants will analyze and discuss different types of assessments and their impact on els. Discover how to bridge the gap between equitably assessing linguistic and academic performance. Assessment of english language learners 5 instruction and assessment responsibilities native language l1 academic support. Practical approaches for using portfolios, selfassessment, and peer assessment, accompanied by guidelines for grading practices. This area of assessment is used for college entrance requirements and to measure college readiness. Christina coombe, keith folse, and nancy hubley s book a practical guide to assessing english language learners targets pre and inservice classroom teachers who have difficulties finding their way in the world of language assessment p. Practical approaches for using portfolios, self assessment, and peer assessment, accompanied by guidelines for grading practices. In an excerpt from their upcoming book, larry ferlazzo and katie hull sypnieski highlight student reflection as an important tool in assessing the progress of englishlanguage learners. The azella, published by pearson, is the current english language test adopted by the state of arizona. It will prepare them to implement authentic assessment in the eslbilingual classroom and. Englishlearners attend core academic classes in english, while being provided separate instructional support in the language either.
This 45minute webcast is a thorough introduction to assessment for teachers of english language learners. Provide meaningful and appropriate information about a childs language use ability, and avoid bias against any child because of that childs characteristics. Considerations for assessing english language learner. Unlike other assessment programs, assessment portfolios do not exclude certain student populations.
This book lays out a clear and compelling argument that assessment and equity are not mutually exclusive concepts in educational programs for the. It will prepare them to implement authentic assessment in the eslbilingual classroom and to incorporate it. Assessment of english language learners in the era of new. Many educators have come to recognize that alternative assessments are an important means of gaining a dynamic picture of students academic and linguistic development. This classic text by omalley and valdez pierce is an excellent resource for teachers who are interested in designing meaningful, instructionallyrelevant assessments for their english language learners. Specific issues in the assessment of english language learners. Standardsbased instruction and assessment for english. English language learners can process or produce the language associated with the stated language functions. English learners attend core academic classes in english, while being provided separate instructional support in the language either by an ell specialist during the class. This welldocumented text examines the unique needs of the growing population of english language learners ells and describes strategies for implementing instructional assessment of language and content.
For the growing population of english language learners, however, measuring their acquisition and learning is a multifaceted process. Considerations for assessing english language learner students student assessment inventory for school districts cc by achieve 2014. Authentic assessments for english language learners youtube. Lorraine valdez pierce will discuss performancebased standardized assessments. Worldclass instructional design and assessment the english language learner can do booklet grades 68 includes. In an excerpt from their upcoming book, larry ferlazzo and katie hull sypnieski highlight student reflection as an important tool in assessing the progress of english language learners. The arizona english language learner assessment azella is a standards based assessment that measures students english language proficiency based on the arizona english language proficiency standards. It measures a students english proficiency in 4 areas. By martha thurlow, kristin liu, jenna ward, and laurene christensen. Assessment of english language learners 1489 words 6 pages. He writes a monthly post for the new york times on teaching english language learners. The text, assessment and esl, is a comprehensive guide to assessment of english language learners.
To do a good job assessing young english language learners whose home language is not english requires skill, sensitivity, and knowledge, especially of a childs culture and language. It will prepare them to implement authentic assessment in the esl bilingual classroom and to incorporate it into instructional planning. This course will offer tools and suggestions for authentic assessment that will help both students and teachers to identify key areas of focus for instruction. Practical approaches for teachers 9780201591514 by j. In partnership with eleven states, the elpa21 consortium will develop a new english language proficiency assessment system for our english language learners that corresponds to states new rigorous college and career readiness standards.
For a variety of reasons, including a language barrier, the. A practical guide to assessing english language learners. The heritage institute offers the best professional development courses in teaching at k12 level through online education courses for teachers, workshops, and field studies. Authentic assessment for english language learners by j. The purpose of assessment introduction to authentic. Authentic assessment for english language learners. Standardsbased instruction and assessment for english language learners. King maurice cogan hauck mitchell ginsburgh lauren kotloff julio cabrera carlos cavalie. Measuring the progress of english language learners ells cse technical report 552 robin a. Assessing english language learners is an important contribution to the field for the many educators who believe that assessment for second language learners is important, but only if it is valid. It will prepare them to implement authentic assessment in the eslbilingual classroom and to incorporate it into instructional planning. Assessment reform, equity, and english language learners. A new assessment system for english language learners.
Authentic assessment examples including an overview and. Jul 24, 2017 recommendations on how to develop, gather, analyze, and interpret ell student data. In this exciting, practitionerfriendly volume, she shows us how assessment as, for, and of learning can provide a level playing field for todays language learners. Though some educators feel that english language learners are tested too much, in fact their. Authentic assessment examples for english language. Many states have policies that restrict english language learners from taking commercially developed, normreferenced and criterionreferenced tests for up to 3 years after their arrival in a u. These reflections are meant to be shared with colleagues to gain multiple perspectives on how to approach the challenges facing teachers. It will prepare them to implement authentic assessment in the eslbilingual classroom and to incorporate it into instructional.
Using rubrics and performance criteria is a great way to assess a variety of student work. English language learners ells are often unable to demonstrate their learning using traditional assessment methods. Educators working with english language learners will find this assessmentmoxie book truly invaluable. Assessment and language learning chapter 10 teaching. Traditional assessment requires learners to select answers in multiplechoice or matching questions, or to recall facts in fillintheblank and short answer questions. The azella is used for placement and reassessment purposes for students who are identified as a second language learner. Worldclass instructional design and assessment the english language learner can do booklet grades 12 includes. Authentic assessment, on the other hand, is criterionreferenced.
Mainstream teacher describes authentic assessment in her third grade classroom. Screening and assessment of young english language. Practical ideas on alternative assessment for esl students. Course requirement for edu581 for georgetown college. Improving content assessment for english language learners. As an instructional assessment tool, language teachers may. Also, this area of assessment is used for establishing national and state standards and collection of school and student data.
Authentic assessment examples for english language learners. Portions of this post were adapted from the book, the eslell teachers survival guide, cowritten by katie hull sypnieski and larry. Michael omalley, 9780201591514, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The name stands for arizona english language learner assessment. Its usually based on language proficiency and academic progression through work such as presentations, written assignments and reading activities. Using largescale standardized english language proficiency assessments developed for international or u.
These content assessments quickly become english proficiency tests rather than a measure of what students know. The english language learner ell assessment process essay example 1887 words 8 pages. Assessment principles and guidelines for ells with. As a result, assessment practices have sometimes prevented students who are learning english from gaining access to a high quality education. Recommendations on how to develop, gather, analyze, and interpret ell student data. May ann lachats book will help administrators and teachers reach this goal by improving instructional and assessment techniques for standards to the very specific context of limited english proficient students. Authentic assessment for english language learners book. Larry ferlazzo assessing english language learners.
This work is licensed under the creative commons attribution 4. Esl 533n advanced methodologies of structured english instruction december 12, 2012 abstract assessments are a critical tool in monitoring the progress of english language learners at all grade levels. Apr 01, 2015 mainstream teacher describes authentic assessment in her third grade classroom. English language proficiency assessments for young learners provides both theoretical and empirical information about assessing the english language proficiency of young learners. Participants will explore and experience authentic assessment practices that address the needs of els. Introduction assessment is vital to the education process considering that it allows teachers diagnose students difficulties, strengths and provide positive, supportive and useful feedback to learners since it measures not only the students performance, but also, the progress they are making lennon, 2012, p. Lorraine valdez pierce and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Assessment of english language learners colorin colorado. This welldocumented text examines the unique needs of english language learners and describes strategies for implementing instructional assessment of language and content. The first area reflects the purpose of assessment beyond the school level.