How many states require bilingual students to pass an assessment?
Most states allow ELL students exemption from assessments if they have been in the United States or enrolled in bilingual education programs for three years or less. ELL students also are given exemptions based on their English-language-proficiency levels. This will change, however, since federal legislation requires that by the end of the 2000-01 school year, each state must have an assessment system that includes ELLs and ensures their adequate yearly progress. Including these students is aimed at creating stronger accountability for bilingual programs.
