English Language Proficiency Standards and Assessment Alignment: Issues, Insights, and Innovations for Guiding Peer Review EL
- Author(s):
- Bailey, Alison L.; Wolf, Mikyung Kim; Ballard, Laura
- Publication Year:
- 2022
- Source:
- Research Notes
- Document Type:
- Publication
- Page Count:
- 13
- Subject/Key Words:
- Alignment of Standards, Curriculum Alignment, English Learners (EL), English Language Proficiency, Peer Review, State Assessment Programs, Content Validity, English Language Assessment (ELA)
Abstract
This research note seeks to assist in the reduction of inequality in educational experiences that English learner (EL) students experience in U.S. schools by investigating the language demands embedded in academic content standards and English language proficiency (ELP) standards, their linked assessments, and curricular materials in use with EL students. The paper focuses on the alignment aspect of ELP assessments, one of the required types of validity evidence for the federal peer review process of states’ assessment systems. In particular, the paper deals with high-level methodological guidance in two areas: First, it makes suggestions for operationalizing the constructs of language complexity in examining the language demand in standards and assessments. Second, it makes recommendations for questions states might consider as they or their contractors assemble evidence of alignment pertaining to ELP standards and ELP assessments, as well as correspondence between ELP standards and academic content standards.