Standards-Based K–12 English Language Proficiency Assessments in the United States

Over the past two decades, attention paid to English language proficiency (ELP) assessments has increased, and the nature and quality of these assessments have evolved. This chapter provides an overview of the history and characteristics of K–12 large-scale standards-based ELP assessments in the United States. The chapter begins with a brief review of significant court cases and legislation that have influenced ELP assessment in the United States. A description of the characteristics of current K–12 large-scale standards-based ELP assessment follows, with reference to relevant policies and practices. This description includes discussion of assessment content, shifts in the entities developing ELP assessments, and the range of ways these assessments are administered.