Assembly Bill 705 (AB 705) sought to increase successful completion of transfer-level math and English courses by addressing systemic problems in traditional placement policies and curricular structures. The law requires colleges to maximize the probability that students who enroll in credit English as a second language (ESL) courses complete…

These technical appendices are for the report, "English as a Second Language at California's Community Colleges: An Early Examination of AB 705 Reforms." Assembly Bill 705 (AB 705 Irwin) sought to increase successful completion of transfer-level math and English courses by addressing systemic problems in traditional placement policies…

Each year, approximately 100,000 refugees arrive in the United States (Refugee Council USA). Nearly half of these arrivals are children. The number of refugees worldwide has more than sextupled since the 1950s, and according to the United States Committee for Refugees and immigrants (USCRI) this number is expected to continue to grow in coming…

Describes supplementary assessment materials used to measure student English language arts competence in order to assist ESL classroom teacher in making required judgements about best time to place ESL student in regular classroom. Materials include assessment exercises in reading, listening, writing, and oral expression. (Author/BK)

This guide briefly discusses the uses, strengths, and limitations of various assessment instruments in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes for adults. The types of instruments selected for discussion are limited to those that are used in Adult Education Cooperatives in Texas, or those that are readily available to those cooperatives. The…

The problems associated with integrating limited-English-speaking students into English-speaking college classrooms are difficult to resolve. Beginning in fall 1998, the American College Testing Programs' new computer-adaptive English-as-a-Second-Language Assessment Battery, designed for use in postsecondary education programs, will help identify…

This document makes the case for assessing prior learning and offers practical advice on how to do it within British English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and adult basic education (ABE) programs. Following an introduction, it is explained that a person's prior learning is obtained through prior study or life experiences. The next section…

This placement test is intended to help teachers conduct oral and literacy assessment when placing adults into English as a second language (ESL) programs. The 15-item oral assessment, which consists of three 5-item series, includes questions relating to students' backgrounds and goals that are designed to determine whether the students' English…

This guide is an ideabook for teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult students. The first three sections list, respectively, specific instructional techniques and class activities, suggested materials, and questions submitted by adult basic education instructors and answers to the questions. Appended materials, which constitute the…

Placement tests determine whether a student has mastered certain skills and content for a particular job or course of study and also help to identify students' weaknesses, which can then be targeted for improvement. Placement test objectives should be clearly defined, and design and administration are also crucial. If students are misclassified,…

Suggests strategies for teaching English as a second language to non-English speaking students in small schools and warns of possible cultural differences which may lead to misunderstandings. (MH)

In this document, the first of a projected series of reports on ensuring student success, student equity, and rigorous instructional standards, an overview is provided of the steps taken by Glendale Community College (GCC) to refine and improve student placement in the English curriculum. Following introductory material outlining factors…

The handbook contains ideas, worksheets, and sample forms to assist in the administration of volunteer programs teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to refugees. Chapters address: (1) planning (finding a coordinator, planning the program, assessing the need, and defining the volunteer's job); (2) recruitment (locating volunteer teachers,…

In spring 1988, 103 bilingual/English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and ESL-only school districts in New Jersey participated in a study to establish norms for the Language Assessment Battery (LAB) and Maculaitis Assessment Program (MAC) in grades K-12. This manual is designed to provide local district staff with the study's results and to make…

Information is provided on the educational systems of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Yemen Arab Republic in order to assist U.S. colleges and universities as they work with international student agencies and representatives from these countries. For each country, placement recommendations are offered, along with notes to…