Thread: IL: Limited-English kids face a tougher test

Recently I spoke with a couple who spoke perfect English and yet chose to have there child in Bilingual Education. Anyway, looks like Illinois will no longer be left alone to become a complete sanctuary state anymore...


Limited-English kids face a tougher test
U.S. orders Illinois to use regular exam

By Stephanie Banchero

Tribune staff reporter

November 9, 2007

Illinois students who have limited English-language skills will have to take the regular state achievement exams beginning next year, under a recent decision by federal officials.

In past years, students who were new to the country and spoke little English were allowed to take the Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English (IMAGE) in math and reading. That exam is written in English, but it has fewer and simpler questions.

But the U.S. Department of Education ruled earlier this month that IMAGE was not an appropriate way to determine if non-English speaking students were mastering basic math and reading skills.

Federal officials had notified the state about two years ago that the exam might not pass muster, but the two sides have been arguing over the issue since.

State officials finally agreed to scratch IMAGE and make students with limited English proficiency take the same grade-level math, reading, writing and science exams as every other student in the state.

About 59,000 students -- roughly 6 percent of all test-takers -- took IMAGE last year. Nearly 95 percent of them attended schools in the six-county Chicago area.

"We worked with federal officials to try and make adjustments to the test. However, they would not accept our changes," said Matt Vanover, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Education.

In order to receive federal poverty money, each state must develop an assessment system that passes muster with the U.S. Department of Education.

Vanover said state officials will spend the next two years developing a replacement for the test. He said state officials also are discussing whether schools can provide accommodations to non-English-speaking students, such as allowing them more time to complete the exams.

But the state's decision to dump IMAGE has angered many educators in the bilingual community. They argue that the state has been dragging its feet on creating a new exam. Instead of working to develop a better exam, they charge, the state spent two years fighting with the federal government.

Now, they charge, students who speak English as a second language will have to take a test they are not equipped to pass.

"Anyone in their right mind can see that this is going to be very detrimental and damaging" to children who speak limited English, said Diane Zendejas, who oversees the Language and Cultural Education office in Chicago Public Schools.

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sbanchero@tribune.com

In order to receive federal poverty money, each state must develop an assessment system that passes muster with the U.S. Department of Education.

Vanover said state officials will spend the next two years developing a replacement for the test. He said state officials also are discussing whether schools can provide accommodations to non-English-speaking students, such as allowing them more time to complete the exams.

Sounds like they are still pandering though. An idiot by any other language still remains an idiot.

In order to receive federal poverty money, each state must develop an assessment system that passes muster with the U.S. Department of Education.

If I understand this right, the only reason they have the IMAGE test is to receive federal poverty money. Huh? I may be reading this wrong, but what I am seeing is they are using non-English speaking kids to get federal poverty money. Whatever "federal poverty money" is...and who does it go to? Schools or the family?

Originally Posted by WhatMattersMost

In order to receive federal poverty money, each state must develop an assessment system that passes muster with the U.S. Department of Education.

Vanover said state officials will spend the next two years developing a replacement for the test. He said state officials also are discussing whether schools can provide accommodations to non-English-speaking students, such as allowing them more time to complete the exams.

Sounds like they are still pandering though. An idiot by any other language still remains an idiot.

They should be required to take a test that shows they are actually interested in an education. If they are from Russia, I bet they are...but....