Welcome to #ELLCHAT, Join us to discuss grading ELLs in ESL and the mainstream content area classrooms. Q1 - Please share your name and where and what you teach.
A1 I’m Karen Nemeth, co host of #ELLCHAT and author/consultant on teaching ELLs/DLLs in #earlyed. I’m from eastern PA. Please join in the chat using the answer number (A1) to match the question you answer.
A2. Fair isn't always equal, If I was to take the same test as native speakers in a different language with no additional supports, I would fail miserably. #Ellchat
A2 Even as early as kindergarten, teachers tell me they don’t know how to grade a child that seems to be doing a lot, but can’t tell you about it in English #ELLCHAT
A2 When grading for mastery, determining where content & language separate and true learning begins. How can I assign a failing grade when the S has worked so hard? #ELLCHAT
#ELLCHAT
A2 How to navigate the gap between where a student is on her own learning trajectory and where she needs to be at graduation. Maybe today's performance exceeded my expectations but still falls very short of grade level expectations. How do I grade that?
A2: Challenge: Letter or number grades don't give anyone any real information about what the student has learned or how much they have grown in language or content! #Ellchat
I think this is a key challenge. Many classroom teachers say they don't feel they struggle with giving ELLs good grades when they have done differentiated work. #ELLCHAT
A2: Similar to others - it's tough to determine what students know when they are just learning to express themselves in the language you speak #ellchat
A2 This is a topic that embodies #Advocacy4ELs - it can be so challenging for teachers to assign content grades to #ELLs who are developing their English #ELLCHAT
A2. I find it challenging when I know the ELL can meet a standard or could receive a higher grade if they were assessed in their native language or in an authentic way. If we are not assessing language but rather a content skill, we should allow Ss a fair way to show it. #ellchat
I utilize a lot of inquiry based and collaborative work within my classroom. It allows me to target specific groups in order to ensure they are learning. #ellchat
I utilize a lot of inquiry based and collaborative work within my classroom. It allows me to target specific groups in order to ensure they are learning. #ellchat
A2. My ELLs have paper and pencil assessments based upon Can Do descriptors. Students are allowed to translate as needed, but as far as writing the test questions in other languages I have not done that before. #ellchat
a2 OH - I do NOT like what you just said! (Not disrespecting you - for sure). I feel like all over education, there is more focus on molding ELLs to fit our traditions, rather than changing traditions such as lengthy tests. Glad you brought that up! #ELLCHAT
A2) I've found that teachers will often differentiate instruction for ELLs but they don;t differentiate the test questions or homework assignment ELLs have difficulty showing what they know. #ELLCHAT
A2 @CBTennyson Do you know what I mean? It’s like we struggle to use existing methods of grading ELLs instead of being open to using completely new methods. Just - I don’t know what those new methods would be! #ELLCHAT
A2. My ELLs have paper and pencil assessments based upon Can Do descriptors. Students are allowed to translate as needed, but as far as writing the test questions in other languages I have not done that before. #ellchat
A2 Maybe it wouldn’t be such a challenge to “grade” ELLs if we weren’t trying to stick with old methods. In preK we use portfolios, not assignments. #ELLCHAT
Yes, very much so. I am frustrated with the mentality that more time on task equates to more learning. when the struggle is so far ahead of what they need, frustration sets in. #ELLCHAT
Yes, very much so. I am frustrated with the mentality that more time on task equates to more learning. when the struggle is so far ahead of what they need, frustration sets in. #ELLCHAT
Definitely - that can sometimes be the case for sure! In those situations students can use manipulatives or another appropriate modification like drawing or modeling to show they’ve mastered a certain skill. #ellchat
A3 Because I teach Ss close to their level and help modify in Reg classrooms, most grades are based on what they complete & if they have mastered our task. I also give relearning when necessary. #ELLCHAT
A3) many schools where I've been, there doesn't seem to be any guidelines. Teachers all have their own idea about how to grade ELLs and ESL tchrs are stuck in the middle. #ELLCHAT
A3 Unfortunately, grading is left up to individual Ts or Ss. EL Ts have to fight for alternative grading when in some Regular classes. A grading guideline would be nice. #Ellchat
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A1 I'm Leticia, rhymes with uh-fish-uh. Former ESL teacher and instructional coach, now managing professional learning. And signing off now lol... Will catch up on the discount tomorrow! 😊
A3 I’m much more aware of grading because my colleagues at @SupportEduc and I were asked to create PD on grading #ELLs & couldn’t find much available on the topic. That’s why Im especially interested in this topic! This is an area where we need to come together #ELLCHAT
A3 - Grading is supposed to be based on how well students demonstrate their knowledge of the learning target (standards based grading). The problem is teachers not always knowing diff ways to find out what kids know #ellchat
Dr. Maria de Lourdes Serpa at Lesley University talks a lot about the J Curve. Teaching in differentiated ways until every child is successful (or at the top of the J). Whatever it takes. #ELLchat 1/2
In CT, we have the CELP standards which take the CCSS and shows what an EL should be able to do in each grade band by proficiency level. Unfortunately, not all teachers are aware of this #Ellchat
We're doing research on grading #ELLs. Please help!
1. What are challenges you or your colleagues have in grading ELs?
2. What are some strategies or tools that you find helpful in grading ELs?
3. Any good examples of report cards to share?
#ellchat#ellchat_bkclub
Yes, very much so. I am frustrated with the mentality that more time on task equates to more learning. when the struggle is so far ahead of what they need, frustration sets in. #ELLCHAT
A5. I think the intention is there, but it needs to be communicated to all teachers. Training (hands on) also needs to be provided on how to implement grading and assessment practices. #ellchat
A5) It's obvious from this chat that school districts need to develop policies on grading ELLs and ESL professionals need to be part of that discussion. #ELLCHAT
A5 Helping Ts and Admin understand grades should be based on scaffolding learning and scaffolding assessment, not just all mastery at GL content #ELLCHAT
A5: I think it has to start with an understanding of what proficiency levels mean, and how to differentiate/scaffold/shelter instruction. Only when teachers understand this will they be able to grade fairly. #ellchat
A5 Helping Ts and Admin understand grades should be based on scaffolding learning and scaffolding assessment, not just all mastery at GL content #ELLCHAT
