How to Celebrate English Language Proficiency Growth

Educators across the United States must administer an English language development assessment to multilingual learners each school year. Many states use an English language proficiency assessment to measure school effectiveness in serving multilingual learners. For this reason, the importance of this test is prompting educators to find ways to celebrate English language growth.

English language proficiency tests

An English language proficiency assessment is a test that monitors language proficiency progress in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Different states use different English language assessments. For instance, 41 states currently use a well-known assessment called WIDA ACCESS for ELs. Other states use their own assessments; New York uses the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT), California uses the state of California uses the ELPAC state test for English language proficiency (ELP), and Texas uses the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS).

Multilingual learners are tested for different reasons upon registration and completion of the home language survey. A screener identifies students as English language learners, while an annual test measures English language progress.

Use of annual assessment results

Every state uses the results of the annual assessments in different ways. This is because some states use different standards and tests. Some states prioritize multilingual learner performance by making student growth part of their school accountability report card. Below are some ways states use English language proficiency results.

ESOL Teacher Accountability

Using the annual test scores for accountability purposes is one-way schools measure teacher effectiveness. For instance, the WIDA ACCESS for ELs scale scores measures student language growth from year to year. In addition, WIDA provides school frequency and student grade level reports to communicate school-wide and grade-level performance. These reports communicate student language performance for the current year.

Teachers of multilingual learners use annual ACCESS scores to compare student performance yearly under their evaluation. For example, an ESOL teacher’s evaluation may include a performance goal stating, “Students will grow X% in listening, speaking, reading, writing, or overall scale score performance from 2021 to 2022 school year.”

School Accountability

Measuring a school’s accountability often includes the English language proficiency assessment performance of a school’s multilingual learner population. Therefore, states review the performance of multilingual learners; they look to see how students are performing and making progress in English language proficiency.

English language proficiency is part of the school-wide report card in some states. For instance, English language proficiency is assigned a percentage gained when a certain percentage of some students meet their language proficiency goals. A school can also lose a portion if insufficient students meet their English language proficiency goal. These, however, percentages vary by state and may be available on a state’s Department of Education website.

Determine student eligibility

The annual English language assessment results determine eligibility as an English language learner. Each state’s cut score varies to determine a student’s eligibility. In most states, an overall or composite score determines whether a student qualifies as an English learner or when a student is ready to transition out of such services. Some states use other criteria to transition students from English learner statuses, such as other assessment performance and grades.

Celebrate English language proficiency growth Success

A concern often expressed by teachers of multilingual learners is the need for more effort some students show when completing the test. This may result from students not understanding the importance of the test or, in some cases, a lack of confidence that influences performance.

What can we celebrate?

Teachers and schools can celebrate students’ progress toward their English language proficiency goal. Reaching the ultimate goal and “exiting” is another milestone teachers should celebrate. We should celebrate the importance of both landmarks just like schools and states celebrate and recognize making progress in benchmark and state testing.

Why celebrate English language proficiency growth progress

Some teachers and schools already celebrate student progress toward English language proficiency. However, not enough schools realize how important and beneficial this recognition can be. More schools need to. There are various reasons why such a celebration will benefit teachers and students.

Celebrating student progress shows students the importance of the English language proficiency test and how valuable their performance is in school. Additionally, the celebration can guide other teachers on how important this test is for students and school accountability. Finally, recognizing students who make progress can spark more interest in classmates who may not show as much interest in performing well on the test.

The celebration of language proficiency growth may help increase English language proficiency. When students understand the benefits and see others celebrate growth, they are more likely to take the test seriously. Families may also know the importance of growing in English language proficiency.

How to celebrate English language proficiency progress

There are different ways to celebrate student academic progress. Furthermore, schools have gotten very good at creating extraordinary ways to celebrate. Some teachers throw a party; schools may present certificates or offer fun field trips. Every option you choose must consider funding, planning, and other resources.

Celebrate in the classroom

Some teachers celebrate by inviting kids to a classroom party. In these types of celebrations, teachers may offer food such as pizza or snacks. An advantage to this type of celebration is that teachers can combine students from multiple grade levels and different grade levels if their teaching schedule does not allow for combination. For example, a class party requires teachers to use their money to provide snacks or food.

Others may choose to invite students for lunch in the class. This option is often used to reward positive student behavior in school. Games and activities are often part of this option, making it a fun activity. Students enjoy this option because they eat with their teacher and share a game or activity with other friends.

Recognition

My school district will celebrate our student growth for the first time in years. Using the certificate below, we are providing students a certificate that will recognize their English language progress performance. Using the certificate below, we are providing students a certificate that will realize their English language progress performance. A certificate is just one way to recognize a student’s academic progress. This way of recognizing student progress is one of my favorite options. This is because ACCESS is often the only time a multilingual learner may be identified due to their lack of language abilities. The presentation of a certificate can happen during an award ceremony or in the classroom.

Certificates are lifelong memories that students often look forward to each school year. An excellent certificate can encourage students to try harder during each school year’s test. In addition, a certificate indicates that their teacher and school value their effort and performance.

Certificates can be easy to create. Use the above form to request two ready-to-use FREE templates! In addition, the internet has free templates that teachers and schools can use. Likewise, one program that provides free templates is canva.com. Creating a certificate must consider the age of the students receiving the certificate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, English language proficiency performance is an area that schools and teachers must begin to celebrate. Recognizing student performance can foster more interest in the English language assessments that schools use to measure language progress in multilingual learners. In addition, such recognition may influence student performance, which can positively yield better scores for teacher accountability and school-wide report cards.

Share with others how you celebrate your student growth below!