Five Alternative Assessment Styles for ELL Students Vocabulary Development in a Mainstream Elementary Classroom
Keywords:
Informative Assessment, Performance Assessment, Quality Reviews, Badges and Micro Credentials, Multiple Measures, English Language Learner, VocabularyAbstract
English Language Learners (ELL) are one of the fastest growing subgroups in the classroom today, and the knowledge gap between ELL students and native language speakers grows wider. Vocabulary comprehension is becoming a deep-rooted problem in many classrooms; therefore, it is important to identify ways to accurately assess an ELL student’s vocabulary knowledge and retention. A variety of assessment styles and tools should be utilized in the classroom to better reflect an ELL student’s vocabulary knowledge and growth. There are five alternative assessment styles teachers should consider when choosing tests in the classroom: formative, performance, quality reviews, badges and micro credentials, and multiple measures. Educators face challenges of learning what assessment will best suit a standard and a student’s abilities. As future generations present educators with learning challenges, these five assessment styles can provide teachers with a richer understanding of their ELL students’ capabilities and retention.
References
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Brockhart, S. (2016, December 12). Performance Assessment: What Is It and Why Use It? Medium. https://medium.com/inspired-ideas-prek-12/performance-assessment-what-is-it-and-why-use-it-1394712c5d3
Dean, S. (2019). Learning and Thinking Differences in English Language Learners. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/english-language-learners/understanding-learning-and-thinking-differences-in-ells
Farley, A. N., Clayton, G., & Kaka, S. J. (2018). Linking teacher education to redesigned systems of accountability: A call for multiple measures in pre-service teacher effectiveness. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 26(12). http://dx.doi.org/10.14507/epaa.26.3441
Gibson, C. (2016). Bridging English Language Learner Achievement Gaps Through Effective Vocabulary Development Strategies. English Language Teacher, 9(9), 134-138. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v9n9p134
Great Schools Partnership (2014, April 29). Formative Assessment. The Glossary of Education Reform. https://www.edglossary.org/
Greene, P. (2019, February 16). Education Micro-Credentials 101: Why Do We Need Badges? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2019/02/16/education-micro-credentials-101-why-do-we-need-badges/#2f11d1682419
Grimes-Hillman, M., Holcroft, C., Folks, J., Lee, D., & Smith, P. (2014). Multiple Measures In Assessment: The Requirements and Challenges Of Multiple Measures in the Californian Community Colleges. The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. https://www.asccc.org/sites/default/files/Multiple Measures in Assessment_0.pdf
Guido, M. (2019, August 27). 20 Formative Assessment Examples [+ Downloadable List]. Prodigy. https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/formative-assessment-examples/
Kelly, M. (2019, May 27). Great Ideas for Performance-Based Activities. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/ideas-for-performance-based-activities-7686
Lash, D., & Belfiore, G. (n.d.). Next Gen Assessment. Next Generation Learning Challenges. https://myways.nextgenlearning.org/big-questions-measure
McKeon, D. (2005, June). Research Talking Points on English Language Learners. National Education Association. http://www.nea.org/home/13598.htm
National Education Association (2018, June). Micro-credential Guidance. http://www.nea.org/home/microcredentials.html
Rastegar, B., & Safari, F. (2017). Out-based instruction, learning styles, and vocabulary learning in the EFL context of Iran. International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies, 5(2), 101-111. http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.5n.2p.101
Sanchez, C. (2017, February 23). English Language Learners: How Your State Is Doing. nprEd. https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/02/23/512451228/5-million-english-language-learners-a-vast-pool-of-talent-at-risk
School Around Us (n.d.). Holistic Education. http://www.schoolaroundus.org/holisticeducation
Silverman, R., & Hines, S. (2009). The Effects of Multimedia-Enhanced Instruction on the Vocabulary of English-Language Learners and Non-English Language Learners in Pre-Kindergarten Through Second Grade. Journal of Educational Psychology, 101(2), 305-314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0014217
The Editors (2019, February 5). What Is Performance Assessment? Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/02/06/what-is-performance-assessment.html?cmp=soc-edit-tw
Published
2020-10-16
How to Cite
Vaez, A. (2020). Five Alternative Assessment Styles for ELL Students Vocabulary Development in a Mainstream Elementary Classroom. Learning to Teach Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Through Research and Practice, 9(1). Retrieved from https://openjournals.utoledo.edu/index.php/learningtoteach/article/view/381
Issue
Section
Section on Language Arts
