Challenges with Effectively Assessing English Language Learners

Abstract

This capstone project examines the problem of effective ways to assess English Language Learners (ELLs). Though, assessing students is an essential part of education there are many problems with the lack of effective assessment practices ELL students face. The research shows that when assessed ELLs face cultural bias, testing anxiety, and testing of language rather than content knowledge. Therefore, this capstone examines how to effectively and accurately assess ELL students in a mainstream classroom. Including items such as accommodations, differentiation, alternate assessment, and alternate strategies to collect data. To mitigate the challenges of assessment ELLs face, this capstone will include a Professional Development (PD) for educators. The PD contains tools such as hand-outs, scenarios, and hands-on collaborative work to dive into the strategies to accurately and effectively assess ELL students. The capstone aims to identify and minimize the ramifications of assessment of student success through modifications, accommodations and alternative assessments. Alongside, implications for teaching such as alternate ways to provide accommodations and collect data. Finally, the capstone supplies recommendations for future research such as case studies on the differences between standardized testing and alternative assessment.