Standards and Assessments for English Language

Learners: Should We Change Them?

Standards That Impact ELs: Language proficiency and teaching standards shapes the instruction given
to EL students.
Why They Matter: Standards are tool that define that language and content that ELs are expected to
learn.
Assessments: Standards and assessments go hand in hand, as students are evaluated based upon
instruction, which is guided by standards set forth on state and national levels.

Keep Them the Same! Make a Change!

If we have the same standards for all students, Students learning a new language have different
we create a common ground for education. academic needs than students who are already
proficient in English.

Existing Standards and Assessments: Existing Standards and Assessments:

*ELP standards that were mandated for each
state by the federal government are intended to
provide organizations with a framework to use
in developing, implementing, and evaluating
programs that allow teachers to teach English
as a second or foreign language.
*In 2001, No Child Left Behind mandated
language proficiency standards. These TESOL
standards were last updated in 2006, and only
serve as a bridge to mainstream standards. End
of year state mandated tests are the same for all
students.

Why They Should Stay the Same: Why It Is Not Enough:

*According to Jayne Ellspermann, principal of
West Port High School in Ocala, Florida, we
need to have ELs follow the same standards
and assessments as their Native English
speaking peers so that all students have a
common ground for education.
Overall Outcome/Goal:
*If all students are being exposed and taught
according to the standards and along with the
assessments, then ELL students are learning
the content along with the English language,
where these students will learn to speak in both
academic and social settings.
*According to Pearson, 25% of EL students
drop out of school, and “those that do graduate
often lag behind their peers on achievement
tests.”
*This is because current standards do not
provide strategies to assist ELs, foster the
ability to use English, or focus on language
acquisition.
What Needs to Change:
*ELs need separate state standards and
assessments that focus on language proficiency
needs.
*Instruction and assessment should focus
mainly on language acquisition and
engagement.