What Counts as Validity in the Assessment and Classification of English Language Proficiency?

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Division H Section 3: Assessment in the Schools Poster Session 1

Abstract

English language proficiency (ELP) assessments are used for federal reporting of English Language Learner (ELL) proficiency and progress, and also to determine if exit criteria have been met for reclassification into mainstream and gifted classes. The present study capitalizes on the availability of ELL and Non-ELL student performances on both a state ELP assessment and state standards-based achievement (SBA) assessment to analyze the construct of “English proficiency.” This study goes beyond a simple comparison of ELL and Non-ELL performances used to argue for the validity of the ELP assessment. Using the available ELP and SBA data, additional analyses are conducted to explore various approaches to operationalizing proficiency. These alternatives may provide more predictive systems of classification for high-stakes decision making.

Authors

• Patricia E. Carroll, University of California - Los Angeles

• Alison L. Bailey, University of California - Los Angeles