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Utilizing trends from three years worth of state tests, a cautious note of optimism can be made about the progress of English language learners (ELLs) in both mathematics and English language arts (ELA). The federal law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), requires states to show progress, especially for groups such as ELL students. ELLs are expected to perform at least at the proficient level on the state reading and mathematics tests. In fact, 100% of ELL students are expected to perform at least at the proficient level by 2014.
The federal regulations for testing ELL students and their progress were finalized in 2006. There is now data to establish a three year trend line of test results. The Center on Education Policy (CEP), an independent nonprofit organization, recently produced a report, Has Progress Been Made in Raising Achievement for English Language Learners? This report looks at the progress of ELL students in mathematics and ELA. While mathematics scores are better than ELA scores, there has been progress in both areas. This report examines progress in raising achievement for ELL students.
It is good that there is now three years of test results to examine achievement for ELL students, but it is important to keep in mind that there are many variables that can subtract from the results. These variables include language barriers, demography, and changes within individual states and their policies for testing and classifying ELL students. Several main findings from the study support this general conclusion:
- Because of language barriers, test results for English language learners may not accurately reflect what these students know and can do.
- The number of ELL test-takers has changed rapidly in many states, which complicates efforts to track achievement trends for this group.
- In grade 4 reading and mathematics, rising percentages of English language learners have reached three achievement levels – basic, proficient, and advanced – although gains are less prevalent at the advanced level in reading.
- English language learners have made progress in reaching state proficiency benchmarks in reading and mathematics at all three grade levels analyzed – elementary, middle, and high school – although gains are less prevalent in high school than at the other grade levels.
- Trends for English language learners are mostly positive in states with the largest numbers of ELL test-takers. In the 10 states with the most ELL test-takers, positive trends outnumbered negative trends.
- English language learners in grade 4 are doing better in mathematics than in reading at all three achievement levels.
- Very large differences in percentages proficient exist between English language learners and other students.
- Percentages proficient for English language learners vary widely by state, more so than for students who are not ELLs.
There are five conclusions that can be drawn from this data:
- The percentages of English language learners who satisfied benchmarks increased between 2006 and 2008, according to the state tests used for NCLB
- There are too many states in which the level of proficiency is still quite low in both reading and math
- While it is good to see the increase over the three years, the date for the goal of 100% proficient by 2014 is only four years away and one wonders if it is wise to have this goal.
- It would seem preferable to use growth models to determine progress instead of AYP.
- As school districts first started to deal with AYP they felt that due to the ELL subgroup they would be penalized and would not be able to make the AYP requirements. This concern was not necessary. The Department of Education analyzed AYP compliance and found that there were only 4% of schools that did not make AYP solely because of an ELL subgroup. In contrast, 33% of schools that did not satisfy AYP, did so because of ‘all students’. But this concern should be carefully monitored by Education Department.
Determining the factors that have promoted this progress would be good so efforts could be made to increase the progress of these students.
