Assessment in a bilingual education classroom can be challenging due to the diverse language, real-life backgrounds and proficiency levels of students. According to a newly published paper titled Demographics of Multilingual Children, students in multilingual homes with parents who do not have high school diplomas are more likely to experience economic hardships and live in daily cultural contexts outside of the mainstream. This brings complex variables to the bilingual classroom.
Most of the school experiences of these students differ wildly from their English-speaking peers. According to the Demographics of Multilingual Children paper, as of 2022, about 26% of U.S. children were considered multilingual. It is challenging for educators working in the classroom to assess students, especially bilingual students. Luckily, educators have several best practices available to ensure fair and accurate assessment of bilingual students.
Graduates from the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Master of Science (M.S.) in Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Reading online program will be equipped to anticipate these student differences and support bilingual learners.
Assessment Variety
Using multiple measures to obtain a well-rounded view of students’ knowledge and abilities is an excellent way to approach the bilingual classroom. These strategies can include written assignments, oral presentations, using computers and other technology, class participation and assessments in both languages.
To get a clearer picture of a student’s academic progress, a new article detailing bilingual tweaks to assessments suggests students should be tested in English and their native tongues. These tweaks include testing students in their native languages, allowing students to respond in a blend of English and their other known languages and working more with students’ families.
“Assessing in both languages provides a more reliable picture of what children can do,” said Iliana Alanís, professor of early childhood and elementary education and co-author. “If we do not determine what DLLs can do across both of their languages, we develop a partial and inaccurate view of children’s vocabulary development. Essentially, we underestimate their capabilities,” she notes.
Consider Language Proficiency
Educators must ensure that assessments are appropriate for the language proficiency level of each student. For example, students still developing their English proficiency may struggle with written assessments in English but excel in oral assessments.
Federal law allows states to offer native-language assessments in the student’s home language for more accurate assessments. A report from the Migration Policy Institute titled Native Language Assessments for K-12 English Learners claims experts have identified tests and accommodations for English Learners to establish an understanding of what they’re learning without being curbed by limited EL skills. These native language assessments are believed to support the goals of bilingual programs and have proven effectiveness.
It is important to consider cultural differences in assessment design and interpretation. For example, multiple-choice evaluations may not be effective for students who come from cultures that value discussion and collaboration over individual work.
Authentic Assessments
Use authentic assessments relevant to the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of students. This approach can include tasks such as reading and writing in the student’s native language and real-world tasks that require bilingual communication.
Educators must understand that assessments are not one size fits all. It’s important to know where students are in learning development, how successful teaching strategies have been and the challenges ahead, as outlined in Assessment Strategies for English-Language Learners.
A defined purpose and reciprocal approach are keys to each assessment. Involve parents and community members in the assessment process, particularly for students who are English language learners. This can include providing assessments in the language(s) spoken at home and seeking feedback from parents and community members on assessment design and interpretation. Providing specific and timely feedback to students is also important and can include feedback on both content and language and be delivered in both languages.
One Psyched Services article notes the following best practices for bilingual assessments:
- Ensure proper training.
- Use multiple sources of data.
- Establish language dominance.
- Carefully consider tool selection and assessment procedures.
- Use data-based decision-making.
A combination of these strategies can help bilingual learners develop key language skills. By implementing those five best practices for bilingual assessments, teachers can ensure that bilingual students receive fair and accurate assessments aligned with the goals of bilingual education.
How an Advanced Degree Helps
As the field of bilingual education and teaching Dual Language Learners (DLLs) grows, the need for effective and evidence-based practices for assessing and evaluating bilingual students increases. Educators who work with bilingual and DLL students must have the appropriate strategies to measure their progress. Discover how to improve your school’s bi-literary rate and help your students meet their goals using multiple languages through TAMIU’s online M.S. in Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Reading program.
This program prepares graduates to teach and assess bilingual students with relevant courses such as Bilingual Oral Language Assessment and Development or Design, Implementation & Evaluation of Reading Programs.
Learn more about TAMIU’s M.S. in Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Reading online program.
