Why are you testing my child’s English language?
All students who enroll in a California public school, K –12 for the first time are given a Home Language Survey. By state law and regulation, if the Survey answers indicate a language other than English in the home or in the child’s background, the school must test the student for English language proficiency. As part of initial school enrollment, parents and guardians are required by law to provide the answers to these questions. There is no provision in current state law allowing students not to be assessed through waiver. Special needs students are also required to be screened for English proficiency.
What is the purpose of the test?
The purpose of the test upon enrollment is to determine if the student is proficient in the English language. If the student demonstrates English language proficiency on the test, his/her proficient status is recorded in his/her permanent record. A student identified as Fluent English Proficient enrolls in any program of instruction for which he or she is qualified. If a student demonstrates less than proficient English skills, that status is recorded. The school must offer appropriate instructional assistance to develop English proficiency to each of the English Learner students. The type of assistance offered depends upon the level of English proficiency, beginning, intermediate or advanced. Except for beginners, the assistance is offered in the home school through special instruction and, depending upon student needs, classroom placement.
Historically, more than 70% the IUSD tested incoming students demonstrate proficient English results. These students are recorded as Fluent English Proficient. About 20% of IUSD tested incoming students show English Learner status at the intermediate or advanced level. These students are referred back to the residence school for assistance, which is provided in the regular or SDAIE classroom.
Only about 10% of the incoming language minority students in grades K – 12 in IUSD demonstrate beginning level English skills. Typically, these students are transferring here from other countries. Only these beginners will be offered placement in the ELD Newcomer’s Program. In this program, students develop reasonable English fluency in order to comprehend instruction delivered in English. Students receive comprehensible instruction in the curricular areas of math, science and social science, too. Details about this program will be shared with the parent/guardian of the beginners.
So, how will I know the results of the CEDLT test?
Results and program options will be shared immediately after testing with the parents/guardians of beginning level students. Results for the other students, intermediate or advanced limited proficiency through Fluent English proficient students will be mailed to the parent/guardian within 24 hours of the test and sent to the residence school by staff.
What test is used?
As of May 2001, all California school districts are required to use the new required CEDLT examination for the purpose of determining who is English proficient or limited. The CELDT is published by CTB/McGraw Hill. No other test results can be substituted for this single examination. The CELDT examination has four sections, listening, speaking, reading and writing.
We are transferring to Irvine School District from another school in California. Can’t you use information from that school instead of testing him again?
We can, if you provide us with an official copy from the prior school of the CELDT test results for your child. CELDT was used for the first time in California schools in May 2001. Please contact your prior school to ask for an official copy of the CELDT test. Bring that official copy of your child’s CELDT test results with you and we will use the results instead of testing your child again. No other test results may be used according to California State Law.
I know my kid is fluent in English. He was born in the USA. I even have his last report card. He gets all A’s and B’s. Do you still have to test him?
Yes, there is no provision in the state law for parents of public school children in grades K-12 to “opt out” of this testing. See Ed. Code 60810. We are not allowed to take any other test results (SAT9, CTBS, IPT, etc.), teacher opinion, grades, transcript of classes, etc., in place of this one examination to verify English language proficiency. A student’s place of birth does not address the question of language development. The questions on the Home Language Survey asking about the child’s language use are established by the State Board of Education. Only the questions relating to the child’s use of the language are our guide to determine who must be tested.
So, why do the test now, before school starts?
Although the state laws and regulations would allow us to delay the English testing for 30 days past enrollment, we prefer to complete the testing and scoring before the student begins school. In this way, the school counselor or teacher will have complete, recent information about the student’s English learner status. This information could affect choices for optional program participation. The information also helps the classroom teachers to plan for effective classroom instruction for your child. We also want to avoid disrupting a child’s educational program once school has started and he/she has settled in to his/her classroom.
What parts of English language does this CEDLT test measure?
All students, grades K – 12 will take a test of listening and speaking English. The test levels are appropriate to the developmental age of the student being tested. The questions are presented on a tape recording accompanied by some pictures. The tester records the student’s responses verbatim in the booklet. Students in grades K and 1 only take this section of the test. This test takes approximately 30 minutes to administer and is administered one student at a time.
Students in grades 2 through 12 must also take a test of English reading and writing. There are four different versions of the test, each being appropriate to the developmental age of the student being tested. The reading and the writing sections are administered separately to a group of students and take approximately one hour each.
My child is quiet and shy. He/she will not talk to the tester. How can you get results?
Our testers are all experienced teachers and teachers’ assistants. They have participated in the testing of hundreds of students, including shy and quiet children. We will do our best to make your child comfortable and to obtain a natural language sample. You can help by letting your child know that this is not a “make or break” academic test, but just a chance to show how much English they can use. If there is a serious problem getting your child to talk, our personnel will work with you to solve the problem.
My entering Kindergarten student went to pre-school in California. He scored “beginner” on the CELDT. Why?
Pre-school is a valuable experience for most young students. However, participation in a pre-school program for a few hours a day may not develop academic English language skills comparable to that of a native English speaker who is immersed in English 24 hours a day. Both developmentally appropriate social and academic English language skills are tested on the CELDT. The score on the CELDT test is a reasonable guide to use for recommendation for placement in an appropriate program of instruction. Other factors such as exposure to English at home (or lack thereof,) may account for a beginning score.
When can I learn the results of the test?
By state laws and regulations, we must bundle the tests and mail them to the publisher for scoring. However, for use in program placement, we are allowed to hand score the tests before sending them to the publisher. Hand scoring of the tests can take up to one hour per student. For your convenience, we will mail the results to you and forward the results to your child’s school. Please be sure and complete a self-addressed envelope, which we have provided to you. Turn in the completed envelope to the test center personnel today. You child’s results will be mailed within 24 hours of your student’s test. We will also send the results to your child’s school of attendance within 24 hours. You may use your signed Ticket to Test to show the school clerk to verify that your student has completed the English testing.
Exception: In the case of a student who is a beginner and needs the special Newcomer class, we will share that information with you immediately after the listening and speaking test. All information about the test results and this special program will be shared with you so that you can make the best decision in the interest of your child.
We have been testing incoming students for English language proficiency since 1975. We recognize the important role that parents play in the education of their children. We honor your need for reliable and accurate information about our programs and the requirements described in California laws they are designed to fulfill. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
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