What are the components of a dual language assessment?
The dual language assessment consists of a variety of formal, standardized assessment instruments and alternative measures. Tests are administered in both English and the student’s home language, either by a bilingual dual language assessment teacher or with the help of a trained interpreter. Each DLA is tailored to the specific student according to his or her age, grade level, length of time in the United States or in English-speaking schools, and the concerns stated in the referral. The assessment explores academic areas that tap into both language and higher-level thinking skills. The assessment can include evaluating the student s receptive and expressive vocabulary, oral communicative ability, reading comprehension, and writing skills, among other domains. The length of the DLA varies depending on the literacy level of each individual student.
