Why must a dual language assessment be conducted?
Public Law 105-17 (IDEA), formerly P.L. 94-142, mandates that a student be tested in his or her native (dominant) language to provide the most descriptive and fair assessment results. Since the students tested are not part of normative populations for standardized instruments, many factors must be considered when interpreting assessment results. The dual language assessment (DLA) provides expertise regarding expected second language learning and helps determine whether or not concerns are due to normal second language acquisition processes or if they may signal other areas of concern that warrant consideration for further assessment.
