Do students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) take the FCAT?
Per the Office of Academic Achievement through Language Acquisition, all English Language Learners (ELLs) are expected to participate in statewide assessments. However, if an ELL has been receiving services in an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program operated in accordance with an approved district Limited English Proficient (LEP) plan for one year or less AND a majority of the students LEP committee determines that it is appropriate, the ELL may be exempt from the FCAT Writing or Reading administrations. Exempt ELL students must participate in the English proficiency assessment or they will be counted as not assessed and will impact the participation rate calculation for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). All ELLs are expected to participate in the FCAT Mathematics and Science tests no matter how long these students have been receiving services. Not participating in the FCAT Mathematics assessment will impact the participation rate calculation for AYP. ELLs may take the
