Testimony to NJDOE on Assessment of English Language Learners
On Friday, January 16th, 2004, a panel of experts, including members of the
Executive Board of NJTESOL/NJBE, were invited by the NJDOE to give testimony
Trenton on the assessment of ELLs on the ASK 3 and 4.
Links to full texts:
Gloria Garcia, representing NJTESOL/NJBE
David Nash, representing the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors
Association
Nicholas Calamusa, Passaic Public Schools and
Janina J. Kusielewicz, Clifton
Public Schools
Elizabeth Franks, Panel on Valid and Fair Assessment of English Language
Learners in New Jersey
Grisel López-Díaz, Assistant Professor, New Jersey City University
Ana M. Mistral, Recommendations for Assessment, Reading and English Language
Learners,
Reading Transfer Study (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
Click here to
download)
Summary of Gloria Garcia’s Testimony:
Dr. Garcia supported both Spanish Native Language and Sheltered English
Assessments. She pointed out and provided examples of what she characterized
as flaws in the "accommodations” system currently in use. She recommended
that the decision for native language or sheltered English assessment not be
based solely on years in the program, but be further developed to include
the following criteria:
- Level of proficiency in English as measured by the approved English Language
Proficiency Test.
- Length of time in the program
- Recommendation of the child's teachers
- The language of instruction for Language Arts literacy and the content areas
