ELL ELL Assessment and Testing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which assessment modification is most appropriate for an ELL student at the Beginning proficiency level taking a content-area test?
- No modifications needed
- Providing a bilingual glossary or picture dictionary (Correct answer)
- Exempting the student from all testing
- Requiring oral response only
Correct answer: Providing a bilingual glossary or picture dictionary
Providing a bilingual glossary or picture dictionary helps Beginning ELLs access content knowledge without removing the academic requirement.
Question 2: What does the term 'language proficiency' assess compared to 'academic achievement'?
- Language proficiency measures content knowledge; achievement measures fluency
- Language proficiency measures ability to use English; achievement measures mastery of academic content (Correct answer)
- They measure the same thing
- Language proficiency only tests speaking; achievement tests writing
Correct answer: Language proficiency measures ability to use English; achievement measures mastery of academic content
Language proficiency assessments measure how well a student can use English across the four domains, while academic achievement tests measure mastery of content standards.
Question 3: What is a key concern when interpreting standardized test scores for ELL students?
- ELLs always score higher due to extra study time
- Scores may reflect language barriers rather than true content knowledge (Correct answer)
- Standardized tests are always valid for ELLs
- Test scores predict future employment
Correct answer: Scores may reflect language barriers rather than true content knowledge
Standardized test scores for ELLs may underrepresent their actual content knowledge because language demands can interfere with demonstrating what they know.
Question 4: Which domain is NOT one of the four language domains assessed in WIDA's ELP standards?
- Listening
- Speaking
- Mathematics (Correct answer)
- Writing
Correct answer: Mathematics
WIDA's four language domains are Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing; Mathematics is a content area, not a language domain.
Question 5: What is the role of the 'reclassification' or 'exit' criteria in ELL programs?
- To remove students from school
- To determine when a student has attained sufficient English proficiency to exit ELL services (Correct answer)
- To place students in special education
- To assign students to gifted programs
Correct answer: To determine when a student has attained sufficient English proficiency to exit ELL services
Reclassification criteria establish the proficiency thresholds ELL students must meet before being exited from ELL programs and monitored as former ELLs.
Question 6: Why is it important to assess ELL students in their home language as part of a comprehensive evaluation?
- It replaces the need for English proficiency testing
- It helps distinguish language difference from learning disability (Correct answer)
- It is required only for Spanish speakers
- It determines citizenship eligibility
Correct answer: It helps distinguish language difference from learning disability
Assessing in the home language helps evaluators determine whether learning difficulties reflect a language barrier or an underlying learning disability.
ELL ELL Assessment and Testing 2
Which assessment modification is most appropriate for an ELL student at the Beginning proficiency level taking a content-area test?