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Gates Testing

by Katy on Nov 17 2009 4:46 PM

I am wondering about your opinion of the Gates Test used to determine reading levels. Today I watched a very high level ELL student in the 5th grade take the test. She became very frustrated and eventually ended up in tears over the vocabulary section, which is decontextualized and very demanding.

My district requires that we give it regardless of ELL level. My feeling is that the results can't possibly be valid given that it's a test designed for native speakers. Is there an alternative, and do you know of any research that recommends against using this test? I felt really bad for her.

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Re: Gates Testing

by Judie Haynes on Nov 17 2009 5:49 PM

ear Katy,

This is a problem across the country. It is not your district that has this requirement. It is a federal requirement if a district is receiving any federal money (i.e. Title III under NCLB) Students are being tested after one year in an ESL program. So many of us have students who have only been in the U.S. a little over a year who must take a standardized test. It is devastating for the kids. Unfortunately, there is not much we can do about it. We need to keep telling our students that the test doesn't count. (It really doesn't because the scores are usually separated from the general education students) Some states give some special accommodations to ELLs such as a longer time to finish the test. You might look into that.

I hope this helps.

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