Large-Scale Testing: Identifying Equal Assessment Opportunities for English Language Learners

• In Event: 32.083 - Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: 32.083-8 - Efforts Toward Educational Equity for Bilingual and Emergent Bilingual Children

Abstract

This study builds on a result of a previous validity and fairness study of the 2009 Science Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills indicating that most than 74% of the items that exhibit DIF across White, non-ELL and Hispanic, ELL fifth grade students advantage Hispanic, ELL students. The researchers uses a matrix to analyze the relationship between the assessed objectives of the DIF items and the favor group as shown by the Mantel-Haenszel analysis. Results of this analysis support the need of research that allows linking meaningful learning opportunities for diverse students and design of large-scale tests that capture, value and acknowledge students’ diverse approaches to doing science.

Author

• Cynthia Esperanza Lima, The University of Texas - San Antonio