Identify issues related to standards-based formative and summative assessments of ELLs.

COOMMON ISSUES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Some common issues the English language learners face when it comes to testing are things like:

• Not being able to understand what exactly the questions are asking due to things like: 

  • common words being used

  • using objects/scenarios that the English language learner isn't familiar with

  • the English language learner not being familiar enough with the language yet.

These are just a few of the many issues the English language learners have to deal with when it comes to having assessments thrown at them. In the end some districts make these learners take the test, knowing that they won't do well in terms of performance on the test. There are some accommodations that ELLs can get, but they aren't always helpful in terms of helping ELLs understand the test and what is being asked of them. Some things that ELLs can get as accommodations on tests are:

• Getting their tests translated into their predominant language

• Extended time 

• A bilingual dictionary

In an article published by a website titled Getting Smart, there are points the author makes about how collaboration and working in groups could help strengthen the formative assessments. This artifact also goes in-depth in terms of how we can make ELLs feel more comfortable and how we can help support ELLs through formative assessments instead of making them more difficult and confusing.