Standards and Assessments for English Language

Learners: Should We Change Them?

By: Meredith Seay and Laurie Shapiro

Standards That Impact ELs: Language proficiency and teaching standards shape the
instruction given to EL students.
Why They Matter: Standards are tools 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 learning a new language have
students, we create a common ground for different academic needs than students who
education. 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.
Why They Should Stay the Same:
*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.
*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 It Is Not Enough:
*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:

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.
*ELs need separate state standards and
assessments that focus on language
proficiency needs.
*Instruction and assessment should focus
mainly on language acquisition and
engagement.