Memo

To: Administrators, Assessment and ESL Consultants, Coordinators, and Teachers

From: Carmen P. Sosa, Ph.D.

ESL/Bilingual Foreign Language Consultant

Date: September 26, 2003

Re: Assessment of English Language Learners

Both Title III and Title I require two types of assessments (academic content and English language proficiency) for students with limited English proficiency (LEP)/English language learners (ELL). Inclusion of ELL in the district’s academic assessment system must begin immediately. To assist your district in including ELL in your district assessment system, a guideline document is currently being developed. The expected date for availability on the Department of Education web page is this fall. In the meantime remember that:

· LEAs must annually assess their LEP students (K-12) in English language proficiency. The assessments being used are the IDEA Proficiency Test and the Language Assessment Scale. Please contact your AEA ESL Consultant to inquire about availability of training and other important information about the assessment you need.

· All limited English proficient students/ELL must be included in the district’s academic content assessments in reading and mathematics. Beginning in 2007-2008 you need to add science. An alternate assessment is not yet available. Until we have one, all students need to have the opportunity to participate in the tests.

· No exemptions are permitted based on time in English instruction or level of English proficiency. Accommodations are allowed

The attached “draft” documents will help you in your decision making process until the guidelines are ready. An assessment committee at the state level composed of administrators, teachers, representatives from higher education, consultants, and experts in the field of English as a second language, assessment, content areas, and special education will continue addressing the assessment issues of English language learners.