State Testing of Your Child Who is an English Learner

If your child is an English learner, they may use test resources during state testing of reading, math, and other subjects. Some resources may be available during state tests of their English language proficiency. The more you know about these resources, the more you can ensure that your child’s test performance contributes to measures of how well the school has met the needs of all children in the school.

What testing resources are available to English learners?

• English learners may receive accommodations during state tests of reading, math, and other academic subjects. Accommodations are resources that meet the specific language needs of English learners. Your child may also receive test resources that are available to all children. They may be called “universal features,” “accessibility features,” or other terms in your state.
• The resources your child uses on assessments should be similar to those they use in the classroom.
• Examples of accommodations for state tests of academic subjects include glossaries, interpreters, translated text, and others.
• Accommodations are not available for tests of English language proficiency unless your child also has a disability. See Fact Sheet 3, State Testing of Your Child with a Disability.
• Examples of test resources available to all children, including English learners, may include highlighters, scratch paper, breaks, extended time, and others. These are available to your child for the English language proficiency test as well as for other state tests.
• Your state department of education decides which test resources are available during state testing. There are separate lists for tests of academic subjects and tests of English language proficiency. You may obtain these lists of test resources from your school.

How can you be involved in decisions about your child’s testing resources?

• Communicate with your child’s teacher frequently to make sure your child is learning what they will be tested on. Request an interpreter or translated materials if you need them.
• Ask when state tests are scheduled to be administered so that you know when to be involved in test resource decisions.
• Talk to teachers and ask questions about resources your child uses in class. Check on whether they can be used during state tests.
• Share information about things that help your child to learn at home, such as using a bilingual glossary or having text read aloud to them. Ask whether they can be used on state tests.
• Decisions about test resources your child may use for state tests (and instruction) may be made during a meeting about your child’s English learner plan. If your child has a written English learner plan, ask to see it. Find out if testing resources are included in that plan. If your child does not have an English learner plan, talk to the English learner teacher about these resources.
• Advocate for your child so they receive all the resources needed to succeed in school and during tests.
• Ask whether your child will use the same resources they use in class when taking class quizzes.

Helpful steps you can take to prepare your child for state tests in academic subjects and English language proficiency

• Talk to your child about why they should use test resources assigned to them.
• Have a study plan for your child.
• Supervise your child at home consistently to help them prepare for state tests.
• Make sure your child is well rested on test day.

If your child also has a disability, see Fact Sheet 3, State Testing of Your Child with a Disability, for information about students with a disability.

Top of page