Thread: 44% of O.C. English learners pass test

Published: May 21, 2010
Updated: 5:33 p.m.

44% of O.C. English learners pass test

By FERMIN LEAL
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

About 44 percent of Orange County's public school students still learning English passed a state test measuring fluency, figures released Friday reveal.

Statewide, 40 percent of the state's 1.3 million students still learning English passed.

"English fluency is critical for students to succeed in school and in the workforce," state Superintendent Jack O'Connell said. "In California, nearly a quarter of students are learning English as a second language, and by becoming fluent, they will more readily be able to fulfill their potential and compete in the demanding global economy."

County scores remained flat from last year, but have increased by about 8 percentage points since 2007, and by 18 percentage points since 2002. (Click here for comparison chart.)

Click here or on the DATA TAB above to see school-by-school scores for Orange County's English learners.

The exam measures listening and speaking skills in kindergarten and first grade, and listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in second through 12th grades. Results are for students who have previously taken the test to measure their progress over time.

Educators credit the improvement on the state test to the training of teachers to better understand what the test measures. Some also attribute the increase to the 1998 passage of Proposition 227, which requires the instruction of all students primarily in English.

English learners make up about a quarter of the 500,000 students enrolled in county public schools. They usually take additional English classes and receive specialized instruction in other courses.

English learners can range from kindergarten students who can't speak English to a sixth-grader who can speak the language but has trouble writing an essay or passing a standardized test.

These children are not necessarily born outside the U.S. Many students are designated as English learners mainly because their parents are immigrants who spoke limited English to their children growing up, officials say.

In Santa Ana Unified, the district with the highest concentration of English learners, 39 percent of 27,664 students passed the test. In Garden Grove Unified, with the second highest concentration, 47 percent of 18,674 students passed. Laguna Beach Unified had the highest passing rate, 71 percent, but only tested 89 students.

By primary language, 41 percent of students countywide whose primary language is Spanish passed, 56 percent of students whose primary language is Vietnamese passed, 67 whose primary language is Korean passed, and 61 percent of students whose primary language is Filipino passed.

Despite improvements on the test, only 9 percent of English learners statewide were reclassified by their school districts last year as fluent. Ultimately, being an English learner may prevent a student from enrolling in Advanced Placement courses and other college-preparation classes.

Critics have said some districts are hesitant to reclassify students as fluent because schools receive additional state and federal funding for students still learning English, up to $700 per student a year. Educators deny this, explaining that test scores alone do not ensure that a student will keep up.

Deb Sigman, director of testing with the state Department of Education, said the exam is one of four criteria used by schools in determining whether or not an English learner should be reclassified as fluent.

Other criteria include performance on other standardized tests, teacher evaluation, and input from parents. Each school district establishes its own local reclassification procedures using these criteria.

Deb Sigman, director of testing with the state Department of Education, said the exam is one of four criteria used by schools in determining whether or not an English learner should be reclassified as fluent.

Other criteria include performance on other standardized tests, teacher evaluation and input from parents. Each school district establishes its own local reclassification procedures using these criteria.

For parents, the test can serve as a vital tool in helping measure a child’s progress in learning the new language, said Minerva Perez, a PTA parent at Franklin Elementary in Anaheim.

“There is no more important task for these students than learning English,â€

These children are not necessarily born outside the U.S. Many students are designated as English learners mainly because their parents are immigrants who spoke limited English to their children growing up, officials say.

So let me get this straight. You're born in this country, but still designated a English learner because your parents are illegal invaders and refuse to learn English!

End the anchor baby scam by eliminating birth right citizenship. Two illegal invaders cannot produce an American citizen! EVER!

By primary language, 41 percent of students countywide whose primary language is Spanish passed, 56 percent of students whose primary language is Vietnamese passed, 67 whose primary language is Korean passed, and 61 percent of students whose primary language is Filipino passed.

The groups that have a higher percentage of legal immigration have a much higher passing rate, over 50% higher.

Originally Posted by Bowman

By primary language, 41 percent of students countywide whose primary language is Spanish passed, 56 percent of students whose primary language is Vietnamese passed, 67 whose primary language is Korean passed, and 61 percent of students whose primary language is Filipino passed.

The groups that have a higher percentage of legal immigration have a much higher passing rate, over 50% higher.

Not only that, but notice how the pass rates increase by the language spoken. In other words, those who may speak a language other than spanish, must learn English because as a group, they are not being pandered to like those who speak spanish are. They don't have the luxury of having everything handed to them in their native tongue.

Clearly, the promotion of bilingualism is a hindrance to those attempting to learn English.

Many teachers teach the test so that the kids can pass. They did it in the school I worked in.

I agree Mayday.....How many of those teachers are Hispanics?
Like that would matter,right!

The big OC has many GREAT teachers.

Going to my daughters masters acceptance tomorrow.

She is a K teacher.

I'm giving this report for the great talent we have here in So Cal,