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ERIC Number: EJ742518
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 23
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1523-5882
EISSN: N/A
How Well Do Commonly Used Language Instruments Measure English Oral-Language Proficiency?
Pray, Lisa
Bilingual Research Journal, v29 n2 p387-409 Sum 2005
This research examines three tests commonly used to assess the English oral-language proficiency of students who are English language learners (ELLs): the Language Assessment Scales--Oral, the Woodcock-Munoz Language Survey, and the IDEA Proficiency Test. These tests were given to native English-speaking non-Hispanic White and Hispanic students from varied socioeconomic levels. Since these tests use native-language proficiency as the standard by which responses are evaluated, it is reasonable to expect native English speakers to perform extremely well on these instruments. The extent to which the native speakers of the language do not perform well on these instruments calls their validity into question. Findings indicated that none of the native English-speaking children who took the Woodcock-Munoz Language Survey scored in the "fluent" or "advanced fluent" English ability. One hundred percent of the students scored in the "fluent English speaking" range of the Language Assessment Scales--Oral, and 87% of the students scored in the "fluent English speaking" range of the IDEA Proficiency Test. (Contains 6 tables and 2 endnotes.)
National Association for Bilingual Education. 1030 15th Street NW, Suite 470, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-898-1829; Fax: 202-789-2866; E-mail: nabe@nabe.org; Web site: http://www.nabe.org/publications.html.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A