English learners make gains in California schools
Results reveal a 10 percent jump in number scoring high enough to be reclassified
Published: June 5, 2012
The numbers of English learners in California schools becoming proficient in their new language is up significantly, as shown by the latest results of the California English Language Development Test.
Each year, schools test English learners to gauge how their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills are progressing. Sufficient CELDT scores—along with teachers’ evaluations, parent input, performance on other standardized tests and other factors—may result in students being reclassified as fluent English proficient, meaning they no longer need specialized language assistance. CELDT results are also used for federal accountability purposes.
With more than 1.2 million English learners in California schools, their progress toward proficiency has a significant impact—not only on their own education, but on the state’s economy as they enter the workforce.
“We want every English learner to become proficient, while making progress in all academic subjects,” Torlakson said. “These results show our students are making important strides toward English language fluency, which will help them tremendously as they work toward their educational goals.”
Although most English learners speak Spanish at home, dozens of languages are spoken in California schools. Increasing numbers of English learners come from homes where Vietnamese, Cantonese, Pilipino, Hmong, Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, Punjabi and Russian are the first language, to mention just a few.
Students classified as English learners receive explicit instruction in language development, along with specialized instruction in core academic subjects. As appropriate, students may learn in classrooms with others still learning English, in mainstream classes with support in their native language as needed, in bilingual classes, or in a hybrid defined by the school district.
The 2011-12 CELDT results show that more than 42 percent of the English learners who took the test now score either early advanced or advanced, almost 10 percent greater than in 2006-07. Additionally, last year 39.1 percent of English learners met the criteria for reclassification, 10 percent more than five years ago.
CELDT results by school, district, county and state, along with detailed information about the CELDT and English learners is available at the California Department of Education website.