The Department of Education is seeking recommendations on developing a framework that states can use to evaluate their English-language-proficiency standards and tests. The deadline for submitting comments is Aug. 1, according to a notice in the Federal Register on June 6.
鈥淲e intend to use the framework developed in the coming months to engage states in a voluntary self-review of their standards and assessments,鈥� said Hanna Skandera, a senior policy adviser in the Education Department鈥檚 office of the deputy secretary. She added that states continue to seek guidance from the federal government on how to improve such standards and tests.
Under the No Child Left Behind Act, states were required for the first time to create English-language proficiency standards for students who are new to the language and test them each year in their progress in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. (鈥淣ew Era for Testing English-Learners Begins,鈥� July 12, 2006.)
For background, previous stories, and Web links, read English-Language Learners and Assessment.
