What must teachers ensure when making testing accommodations for ELLs?

Ensuring that assessments maintain the same construct for English Language Learners (ELLs) and non-ELLs is vital to providing equitable testing conditions. This means that while accommodations may be implemented to support ELLs, the essence and intent of the assessment should remain unchanged. By maintaining the same construct, educators can accurately measure the knowledge and skills of all students, regardless of their language proficiency.

For example, if a math assessment focuses on problem-solving skills, then both ELLs and non-ELLs should be assessed on those skills rather than being evaluated on their English language ability. Adjustments can be made to support comprehension, but the underlying academic objective must stay consistent. This approach ensures that the assessment results reflect the students' actual understanding of the subject matter rather than their proficiency in English.

Other options, while potentially beneficial in specific contexts, do not address the primary goal of maintaining the integrity of the assessment construct. Reading all directions aloud might help with comprehension but could change the way students engage with the test; giving extra time might not be necessary for every ELL, as needs can vary; and modifying assessments for high-frequency words could inadvertently alter the original assessment goals. Therefore, maintaining the construct is key to fair and valid testing for