2. Use of CELDT -
California English Language
Development Test
This test is used to determine the level of
K-12 students proficiency and assess their
progress towards becoming fluent in
English.
3. Use of CELDT
CELDT is measured by four categories:
1. Listening (Only K-1)
2. Speaking (Only K-1)
3. Reading
4. Writing
Scoring is based upon five levels:
1. Beginning
2. Early Intermediate
3. Intermediate
4. Early Advanced
5. Advanced
4. Reclassification of ELLs
Reclassification is the process through which ELL’s are
considered as fluent English Proficient. This happens
when they have shown they are academically proficient
in English based on the districts criteria.
ELL’s are only considered proficient when they are
capable of learning in a mainstream classroom without
extra help and are capable of performing in subjects at
“grade level”
5. Reclassification of ELLs
In 2002, the state board gave the following guidelines for reclassification
A student’s English skills are sufficient enough to be considered for
reclassification if they score a 4 or a 5 on the CELDT
It is recommended that districts review a student for reclassification
when their STAR English Language Arts scores are low to mid “basic”
ELL students are ready to reclassify when they have met the following
criteria
They score 325 or above on the California Standards Test
They score early or advanced on the CELDT
They score proficient of above on district writing test
They pass the English language arts and math sections of the California
High School Exit Exam (grades 10-12 only)
6. Purpose of Multiple Criteria
These standardized criteria and measures are needed to ensure
that districts reclassify second language learners only when they
have the requisite academic English language skills and content
knowledge needed to meet grade-level content standards.
Every student attending California’s public schools has a right to a
meaningful education. ELLs need to be able to benefit from their
schooling, while they develop the requisite English skills to
participate fully in an all-English environment. Once reclassified,
we must have the same expectations for their academic
achievement as we have for their English-only peers.
7. Multi-criteria Used
The reclassification process may utilize multiple
criteria including, but not limited to the, following:
Be based on objective standards
Measure speaking, comprehension, reading, and
writing
Ensure that all academic deficits are remediated
Include district evidence that students can participate
in the general program
8. Multi-criteria Used
Example of Concept: Criteria for Redesignating English
Learners
Verdugo Hills High School has various criteria for redesignating
students. The school first asserts that redesignated students speak at
least two languages. They learned English as a second language and
proved their command of English by passing a redesignation test.”
The students must pass the following:
CELDT (California English Language Development Test)
ELA (English Language Arts) section of the CST (California
Standards Test) with a score of Basic or higher
Math and English or ESL 3/4 classes with a C or higher (Verdugo
Hills High School, 2004)
10. Advantages/Disadvantages of
Reclassification
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Higher Scores help Still takes students too
promote funding long to learn English, so
Based on CELDT data in therefore schooling is
2006, raised cut scores, prolonged, thus needing
therefore shortening the more funding
number of academic CELDT’s do not take
years required for reclassification,
students to gain English therefore decreasing
proficiency number of EL’S in the
Early Advanced and
Advanced areas
11. Advantages/Disadvantages of
Reclassification
MORE ADVANTAGES MORE DISADVANTAGES
Data reflects Presents the risk of
improvements in having EL struggle in
reclassification rates for mainstream classes
school districts and in because of
the state EL population underdeveloped
data reporting academic English
Increase in EL’s language skills after
performing at advanced reclassification
levels Could be removed due to
More… lack of funding, resulting
in academic failures
14. Implications and Applications of
Reclassification of ELL’s
Students may experience more accepted by their peer and
society.
Students may think less a part of their original culture and
ever more detached from their peers who have not yet been
reclassified.
Boost in opportunities for students Reclassified as Fluent
English
Proficient (RFEP) are more likely.
Schools could see a decrease in money
In general school CELDT scores will decline
15. CELDT Applications and
Implications
California English Language Development Test (CELDT)
Tests are administered yearly to assess students progress.
Teachers are able to accumulate a foundation for instruction
by the students assessed level of proficiency in listening,
speaking, reading, and writing in English.
CELDT results, Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR)
examinations, and parent and teacher input about the
readiness of a student for reclassification
Scoring a 5 on the CELDT results in a student’s English skills
to be adequate enough to be considered for reclassification
