Nonbiased Assessment of English Language Learners

Abstract

In 1990, public school speech—language pathologists (SLPs) all over the United States were surveyed regarding service delivery to English language learner (ELL) students. In 2001, the survey was replicated with a larger national sample (N = 1736). Results from surveys in both decades showed that one of the most frequently encountered service delivery problems indicated by respondents was “lack of nonbiased appropriate assessment instruments.” In 2001, respondents indicated that in terms of continuing education training, their greatest area of interest was in the topic of “Less biased methods and materials for distinguishing language differences from language disorders.” Thus, the purpose of this tutorial is to describe current principles and methods for nonbiased, appropriate assessment of ELL students with potential language-learning disabilities.