The Assessment of English Language Learners with Learning Disabilities: Issues, Concerns, and Implications

There are a large and increasing number of English language learners with learning disabilities at our Pre-K-12 schools. However, our schools are not prepared to deal with the unique challenges faced by those students, especially when it comes to appropriately modifying content and assessments to fit their needs. Schools across the country struggle to provide the language assistance these students need, and often must fight to get the extra assistance they need in terms of special accommodations and testing modifications for their learning disabilities. Therefore, the examination of the issues in assessing English language learners with learning disabilities has important educational implications. This paper discusses the major issues and fundamental concerns in the assessments of English language learners with learning disabilities. It also suggests important implications for policymakers, researchers, educators, assessment professionals, and parents of English language learners with learning disabilities.