...Assessment of English Language Learners Grand Canyon University: ESL 533N August 21, 2013 Abstract The reason for writing this essay is to inform the reader about the processes students go through to be categorized as English Language Learners (ELLs). The administrators and educators have to follow steps to determine if a child is considered to be an ELL student. In the state of Mississippi, tests are provided to students who are entering school whom may be labelled as English language learners. The test will assist instructors with programmatic placement determinations such as identification and placement of ELLs. These assessments are called W-APT which stands for WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test. It is considered to be English language proficiency “screener” test. The tests are written from the WIDA’s five English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards: Social and Instructional Language, Language and Language Arts, Language of Mathematics, Language of Science, and Language of Social Studies. The test approaches the four communication domains of listening, talking, speaking, and writing. The Kindergarten W-APT is given to student in the second semester pre-K, Kindergarten, and first term 1st graders. Also, the paper will discuss the alternative assessment formats and importance of each one. There are many immigrants that are living in the United States. Over the past 30 years, the population of immigrants have increased more than 14 million. English language...
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...he Use of Assessment Methods and the Impact on English Language LearnersT April 30, 2014 Testing English Language Learners (ELL’s) in our district is a very huge process. When students first enroll, whether it is kindergarten or high school, the parents or guardians are required to fill out a home language survey. Based off the answers the parent/guardians provide determines if the student goes to central registration for testing. If the child is found to be of having more than one language they go for testing. The testing that the student goes through is the World –Class Instructional Design Assessment (WIDA). The WIDA method was adopted in 2008 for the entire state of Virginia. The WIDA is comprised of a series of tests ranging from spoken, written, and listening skills. The instructor who gives the test then gives the child a score on the range of one to six. These scores are directly correlated to the ELP Standards, (www.pwcs.edu/ESOL), our state has adopted. Once the WIDA is given, it gives the upcoming or current teachers a score in reading, writing, fluency, speaking, and listening. From those areas it also gives us a composite score. The composite score is what the ELL teachers use to group their students for instruction. These scores give us teacher’s valuable information in how we should instruct our children and how they should be assessed. We know if a child is at the beginning level...
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...ELL 240 Week 2 Assignment 1 Topic: Assessment and Placement of English Learners Thelma Bostic Michelle Schwab July 21, 2015 Assessment serves one main purposes when placing English language learners in the appropriate educational programming. There are different types of educational programming available but each program varies from state to state. The main purpose of the assessment is to make sure the English language learner is placed in the appropriate educational program. If the English language learner is placed in the wrong educational program it will be detrimental to the development of the English language learner. The educational program has to fit the needs of the English language learner so they are able to become proficient in English and to have academic success. There are several challenges that emerge when assessing English language learners. The first one I will discuss is the lack of common criteria for identifying English language learners and tracking their academic performance. According to the U.S. Department of Education, English language learners are defined as students between the ages of 3 and 21 enrolled in elementary or secondary education, often born outside of the U.S. or speaking a language other than English in their homes, and not having sufficient mastery of English to meet state standards and excel in an English language classroom (Short & Fitzsimmons 2007). States vary in how they use the Department of Education’s definition...
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...Abstract This essay focuses on standards-based instruction and its effects on English language learners. Furthermore, this discussion will address the purpose for creating ELL Standards and the resulting benefits the standards provide both teachers and students within ELL departments throughout the country. As the amount of second language learners steadily increases, it is critical that the components necessary to decrease the language barriers, which can negatively affect students’ daily performance, be analyzed and modified as necessary. In 1983, a report titled, A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform, was released under President Reagan’s National Commission on Excellence in Education (“A Nation at Risk”, 2006). The statistical information gathered in this report compared the performance of American high school and college students to that of their peers in other advanced countries. This study identified several risk factors in regard to the public education system in the United States. For example, commission research found that American students failed to place first or second on any of the nineteen academic tests administered internationally and in fact placed last on seven of those nineteen assessments (National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983). In addition, the study showed a steady decline in the following subjects: science, math, reading, and language arts. In result, this research determined that the United State’s education...
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...Assessing English Learners: Unique Assessment Purposes Françoise Halliday Concordia University Assessing English Learners: Unique Assessment Purposes I am a French teacher at Golden Valley High School (GVHS), Santa Clarita, California. “California requires all parents to complete a home language survey when they register their students for school” (Peterson Henry, 2014, p. 1.). The survey asks parents the following questions: * “What language did this student learn when first beginning to talk?” (Peterson Henry, 2014, p. 1) * “What language do you use most frequently to speak to this student?” (Peterson Henry, 2014, p. 1) * “What language does this student most frequently use at home?” (Peterson Henry, 2014, p. 1) * “What language is most often spoken by the adults at home?” (Peterson Henry, 2014, p. 1) If the parent indicates that the student speaks a language other than English or if the parent indicates that the language spoken at home is not English, the student is labeled English Language Learner (ELL). Thereafter, at GVHS the student is given the California English language development test (CELDT) and a placement test in English and Math (Peterson Henry, 2014, p.1). The result of this test will determine if the student is an “English learner” or “fluent in English proficiency (FEP)” (Peterson Henry, 2014, p.1). The purpose of the CELDT is “to identify students who are limited English proficiency (LEP) (Torlakson, 2014, p.5). In addition...
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...December 2, 2012 English Language Teaching: Foundations and Methodologies Alignment of Academic Standards with ELL Proficiency Standards In 2001 the federal government put into action what is known as the No Child Left Behind Act or the NCLB, changing the foundations and the administration of educational instruction in our American educational systems. Written within the federal law of the No Child Left Behind Act the government requires states to include English Language Learning or ELL students in state assessments and assess students language proficiency with valid, reliable assessments in the areas of oral language and reading and writing skills, but more specifically comprehension of speaking, reading, listening, and writing the English language. Also included in the NCLB Act are the provisions that these assessments given must also assist in assessing students in their attainment of the states academic achievement standards. (NCLB, 2001) With the development and creation of these federal standards being implemented into the educational system a new approach needed to be maid and assessed in how states and schools were acclimating and appropriately assessing English Language Learners. With the ever so growing population of non-English speaking students being implemented into the government regulated educational systems over the last several decades something needed to change. Even just the population and growth of English Language Learners has increased by over...
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...specifically define the general definition they have provided for English Language Learners and for states to determine procedures for identifying students needing Title III services (National Research Council of the National Academies, 2011). Due to the fact that I live and teach in Florida, I will be basing the information researched for this paper on the Florida State Standards, Laws and the Department of Education Procedures. As defined by the Florida Statutes an English Language Learner (ELL) is “an individual who was not born in the United States and whose native language is a language other than English; an individual who comes from a home environment where a language other than English is spoken in the home; or an individual who is an American Indian or Alaskan native and who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on his or her level of English language proficiency; and who, by reason thereof, has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or listening to the English language to deny such individual the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English” (Florida Department of Education, 2007.Pp.1). Individual states have a process for initial identification in order to determine affiliation of linguistic minority students, assess their English language efficiency level using an English Language Proficiency assessment, screener, or placement test (National Research Council of...
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...the U.S. Department of Education (USED) is requiring participating states to revise their NCLB assessments” (p.8). While this alignment of standards promotes a unity between states and helps to promote college preparedness (p.8), it fails at considering the needs of English language learners. Some states, like Illinois and Arizona have created standards that help teachers to understand ELLs and consequently develop instruction that can be differentiated for their various proficiency levels. No two ELLs enter school at the same proficiency level or with the same experiences. This diversity makes it quite challenging for teachers to accommodate every learner. Consequently, teachers can use the Arizona English learner standards to supplement the Common Core Standards in an attempt to differentiate instruction for their ELLs. The standards address all proficiency levels, including pre-emergent, emergent, basic, low intermediate, high intermediate, and proficient. Obviously, the strategies that are adequate for general education students and proficient ELLs would not suffice for those at the pre-emergent or even the low intermediate stage. Therefore, differentiation is absolutely necessary. Differentiation would vary at the different stages as well as take into consideration ELL proficiency levels. For instance, in grades one and two, which is the ELL Stage II, a pre-emergent learner would most likely come into the classroom with very little phonemic awareness whereas general...
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...Assessments are a very valuable tool in measuring a student’s learning abilities and achievements. They are a crucial in that they are used for teachers to look back on how and what they are teaching. Assessing a student means to prove that they are in fact learning. Teachers use this evidence to determine whether they need to change their lesson plans or the manner in which they are instructing, and the students use this feedback to find out their weak areas so that they can concentrate more on them, which is much the same use for the parents. The parents take the information provided by these assessments so that they can pursue their child’s strengths and help them with the weaknesses. The data that these assessments provide is also used by the school administrators. It shows them the improvement of not only the students but also the teachers that is needed for state and federal levels, which determine if more funding is needed to aide students with their learning and achievements. The majority of students born and raised in the United States can easily understand the English language. However, there are the select few that do not speak English because it is not their dominate language that they use at home, so these students require assessments that will enable them to pick up the English language. Getting these students to pick up the language can be an extremely hard task for teachers. In 2001 the No Child Left Behind Act states that students should be tested...
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...understanding specific English language learners' needs guided the choice of instructional strategies to support the content and language learning. It is essential to understand English language learners’ needs because ELL students face the combined challenge of learning all the academic content as other students, while also learning the language of instruction. With the rapid growth in the size of the ELL student population in the U.S., teachers who are effective recognizes ELL students unique academic needs, unique background experience, culture, language, personality, interests and attitudes toward learning for the purpose to adjust, or differentiate, their instruction to meet students’ needs. Explain how the differentiation of tasks or activities supported the English language learners' content learning and language development. Differentiating tasks or activities enables and supports ELL students in many ways. Using differentiated teaching strategies gives ELL students the leverage that is needed to be successful. In the case of the aspects of quantity and quality for example, the same reading task can be assigned to the whole class, but students do not have to do the same number of questions or exercises. The ELL students are given a choice and can choose to do one or more tasks; it is important for them to progress at their own pace and interest. Explain how the differentiation of assessments allowed the English language learners to demonstrate knowledge...
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...there was a large growth of English language learners in the United Sates over the 21st century. This rise mandated the need for public schools throughout the nation to assist English language learners with the instruction of special language. Legislation has provided the rise of laws that mandate states to provide quality education to English language learners. With these laws and initiatives arise issues, challenges, and benefits. In the case Meyer v. Nebraska (1923) Supreme Court Jude James McReynolds penned, “The protection of the United States Constitution extends to all, to those who speak other languages as well as to those born with English on the tongue" (Walsh, 2009). This legal decision provided parents with a constitutional right to influence and strengthen the education of their children. The law evolved as a result of the state of Nebraska preventing any curriculum that was not English based. This was later deemed unconstitutional and therefore the law evolved. The State of California in June of 1998 passed Proposition 227, also known as the English in Public Schools Initiative (1999). With the evolution of this legislation came a change in the way Limited English Proficient students were taught. This legislation not only decreased the amount of time these students stayed in special classes, it required California public schools to educate this population of students in special classes that are taught nearly in all English (1999). Drafted by Ron Unz...
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...and Assessment January17, 2011 Introduction Research in educational and literature setting points out that English language learners (ELLs) are learners who have limited proficiency in the English language. They are learners that have been identified as a subgroup of people that is growing fast. Throughout the United States, school districts educate over 10 million English language learners that not only differ in language but behaviourism and culture as well. Studies indicate that the learners speak numerous languages; Spanish is the language spoken by more than 65% of the (ELLs). As these numbers continue to increase, many school systems are encountering pressure and challenges that are forcing them to incorporate programs ad or modify lesson plans in order to educate the English language learners. Over the past two years, in the state of Alabama, more than twenty thousand English language learners K-12 grade have made significant progress in academic; with a 72% graduation rate. The Top Five Languages represented by ELs in Alabama’s K-12 Program are 18115 Spanish, 526 Korean, 456 Vietnamese, 429 Arabic, and 309 Chinese. The six K-12 schools in the Russell County School District/my local school, offers about 25 ELLs education in English as a Second Language, in addition, assistance in reading, math and writing. The county also offers after school tutoring in basic skills. The Russell County School District’s classrooms are exclusively conducted in English, but...
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...CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING I. Introduction Teachers are the authorities inside the classroom. They are the one who facilitates the students for them to be able to learn. Every teacher differs from one another when it comes to pedagogical skills. Because of the modernization of the current generation, system of education was also affected. Major changes were made due to what professionals/critics noticed about the students’ performance in the school. They observed that nowadays, traditional education system may not be that still effective like before. In this kind of system, the teacher is the main source of information and the students act as the audience. Traditional teaching is concerned with the teacher being the controller of the learning environment. Power and responsibility are held by the teacher and they play the role of instructor (in the form of lectures) and decision maker (in regards to curriculum content and specific outcomes). They regard students as having 'knowledge holes' that need to be filled with information. In short, the traditional teacher views that it is the teacher that causes learning to occur (Novak, 1998). Before, students here in the Philippines were exposed to IBE or Input Based Education in which it was a teacher-centred learning process. Now, it was transformed to OBE or Outcomes-Based Education. It was introduced in the Philippines last July 2012 by the CHED or Commission on Higher Education. OBE has become a focal point for critics...
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...Alderine Holt ESL 223N 1/28/14 Mrs. Davis States voter-driven initiatives/laws relating to English language learner issues It has been a long debate and an important issue concerning English language learner from the school system to legislative forums, and there have been different policies and opinions for over forty years. Bilingual education is a method used to teach ELL students partly in their own language. The concept is that it will enhance their understanding of the curriculum and help them succeed in an English based classroom. The premise is that once the student is fairly competent in English they can progress in the classroom with their peers. Weather these programs are the best education method for ELL students this question has not been answered to address the issues concerning ELL students. The opponents of Bilingual Education believes that it is the ELL student right and need to make use of their native language to ease their transition into a English only education. The opponents also believe that the programs are hindering students’ ability to learn curriculum by keeping them in their native language too long. The Bilingual polices of today society are polices of the Bilingual Education Act of 1968 (Title VII). Congress passed the act as part of Civil Rights Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or natural origins in programs or activities in any program receiving federal finical assistant. The Bilingual Education Act requires...
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...related to Language Education Introduction In this unit you are going to study curriculum documents related to Language Education. Upon completion of this unit you should be able to: paraphrase the language policy for schools with specific reference to medium of instruction, languages as subjects, phase implementation per phase as well as for students with disabilities; discuss academic opinions on the successes and challenges in educational language policy application in Namibia; compare current and alternative policy options critically. 6.1 Paraphrase the language policy for schools with specific reference to the medium of instruction, languages as subjects, phase implementation per phase as well as for students with disabilities. 6.1.1 The History of the National Language Policy Read the information out of Toward Education for all: Gamsberg Macmillan MEC, (1993): I. CRITERIA FOR LANGUAGE POLICY FORMULATION Language policy formulation in a multilingual society is a difficult task. What is required is a fair balance between the abilities of individuals to choose their medium of communication and the public interest in a common language to facilitate citizen participation and decision making in a democratic society. The Ministry has been guided by the following understandings to develop a language policy for schools in Namibia: • All national languages are equal regardless of the number of speakers or the level of development of a particular language. All language policies...
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