Assessing English Language Learners

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Grand Canyon University *

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546

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English

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Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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Assessing English Language Learners A Digital Newsletter Chelsea Badey Grand Canyon University ESL 546
Welcome to the Bailey Bridge Middle School ESL Newsletter! Families, I have created this newsletter to help you understand our assessment protocols for English Language Learners (ELLs). These practices can be complicated for non-native English- speakers, and this newsletter is to help you have a place of reference regarding out assessments, and help you understand how we support your student in their English language learning journey. Types of Assessments: “Increasingly, mainstream U.S. classrooms include children who are English-language learners (ELLs). As a result, teachers need to become more aware of ways to assess the literacy progress of their ELL student” (Lenski, 2011). The following are the types of assessments we use for English Language Learners. Diagnostic: This is a preliminary test used to place your child at a certain level so that we know where to begin in their learning. It shows strengths and weaknesses, prior knowledge, etc. It helps us to adapt learning materials to your child’s needs. Formative: Formative assessments is a frequent assessment of knowledge to check their understanding and progress. It includes self-reflection, quizzes, homework, and more. Summative: Summative assessments are more in depth and cover a larger amount of material from a longer period of learning time. It measures a student’s overall understanding of material, for an amount of time, such as a. 9-week period, or school year.
Alignment of Assessments to Standards: The assessments given to your students are aligned to English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards. “Federal legislation requires that English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards are aligned with content standards” (Lee, 2018). Teachers use this data to track the progress of your student in their grade level content, and language learning areas, making sure that teachers are on track to help your student meet the standards appropriately. Testing Accommodations: “It’s important to address the need for procedures for systematically developing ELL testing accommodations, to gain access to the content of items” (Solana-Flores, 20114). Some of the accommodations ELLs receive to make sure there is an accurately valid assessment are, extra time, using bilingual materials and instructions, read aloud, testing location, etc. Use of Assessment Data: Teachers will use data from the assessments to tailor instruction to the needs of each English Language Learner. It is an important part of what teachers use to make plans and adapt materials to use student strengths to build on their weaknesses. Communication and Feedback: Meaningful communication with families is important! There will be a weekly newsletter much like this one. A copy will be sent home with students regularly and it will also be available online on our school’s website. While we will be available to meet virtually or in person, we will also send home reports and weekly emails.
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