The Effectiveness of English Learners Test Accommodations on Computer-Based Testing: A Meta-Analysis

• In Event: Inclusion and Accessibility in Educational Assessment SIG (96) Paper Session

Abstract

Providing equal educational opportunities to English learners (EL) has gained critical importance considering 10% of K-12 students in the US are EL. The primary purpose of test accommodations is to provide access to assessments for students with special needs such as a disability or EL. While much research has been done regarding EL test accommodations' effectiveness, less is known about computer-based testing (CBT) test accommodations. The purpose of this study is to summarize the effectiveness of EL accommodations for CBT. Meta-analysis was used to summarize the literature and a random-effect model was used to compute the average effect size. Test accommodations improve EL test scores by .13 standard deviation. Results by type of accommodation and policy implications are discussed.

Author

• Tuba Gezer, Johns Hopkins University