California's New Approach to Identifying English Learners
California education officials are tasked with finding the best way to identify 4-year-olds who need extra help learning English.
The challenge is that children at this age are still developing language skills and are not used to tests. In past assessments,
children would sometimes cry and put their heads down on the desk.
Current Assessment Process
When children enroll in California's TK-12 schools, families must fill out a survey about the languages they speak at home. If a child speaks a language other than English, the school uses the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC) to determine whether the student is an English learner.
Author's summary: California reconsiders English learner identification methods.