States Seeking Proper Balance in Use of ELL Test Scores

Assessments can help decide when students should exit programs.

Now that they have new English-language-proficiency tests to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act, state education officials are trying to come up with guidelines on how school districts use those tests to decide when English-language learners no longer need specialized instruction.

States vary widely in how prescriptive they are in the use of those test scores, but most seem to be taking steps toward standardizing the process.

“Is there a relationship between the scores and what is happening in the classroom? I certainly hope so,” said Ellen Forte, a consultant on ELLs for the Washington-based Council of Chief State School Officers. “It’s a place where people should be focusing a lot of attention—the validity of the scores and how...