Testing Accommodations for ELLs

 ELLs or LEP students are all eligible for various accommodations during testing in order to provide them with an equal opportunity to succeed. Schools may provide the following testing accommodations to LEP students and former LEP students for two consecutive years following the discontinuance ESL services.  A description of accomodations to which students are entitled are listed below.  If you have any question or concerns, please contact Ms. Amodio, or your child’s classroom teacher.

·         Time Extension: Schools may extend the test time for LEP students. Principals may use any reasonable extensions, such as “time and a half” (the required testing time plus half that amount), in accordance with their best judgment about the needs of the LEP students. Principals should consult with each student’s classroom teacher in making these determinations.

·         Separate Location: Schools are encouraged to provide optimal testing environments and facilities for all students. They may administer State examinations to LEP students individually or in small groups in a separate location.

·         Third Reading of Listening Selection: Proctors may read the listening passage a third time to LEP students who are taking the Regents Comprehensive Examination in English. This accommodation is not permitted on State examinations in languages other than English.

·         Bilingual Dictionaries and Glossaries: LEP students may use bilingual dictionaries and glossaries when taking State examinations in all subjects except languages other than English. The bilingual dictionaries and glossaries may provide only direct translations of words. Bilingual dictionaries or glossaries that provide definitions or explanations are not permitted.

·         Simultaneous Use of English and Alternative Language Editions: For those State examinations for which the Department provides direct written translations, LEP students may use both an English and an alternative language edition of the test simultaneously. However, they should be instructed to record all of their responses in only one of the two editions. The alternative language edition used by the student should be so indicated on the student’s answer document. (Note: the alternative language editions of RCTs provided by the Department are often not direct translations of the English editions being administered during the same examination period and may not be used simultaneously with an English edition.)

·         Oral Translation for Lower Incidence Languages: Schools may provide LEP students with an oral translation of a State examination when there is no translated edition provided by the Department. This accommodation is permitted for State examinations in all subjects except English and languages other than English. All translations must be oral, direct translations of the English editions; written translations are not allowed. No clarifications or explanations may be provided. Translators should receive copies of the English editions of the tests one hour prior to administration. The Department’s Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Language Studies and the Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Centers (BETACs) can assist schools in locating suitable translators.

·         Writing Responses in Native Language: LEP students making use of alternative language editions or of oral translations of State examinations may write their responses to the open-ended questions in their native language. Scoring the tests is the responsibility of the school. However, the Department’s Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Language Studies and the BETACs can assist schools in locating persons who can translate the students’ responses into English to facilitate scoring of the answer papers.