Why Assessment Matters for ELLs

Day 2 is all about something foundational: assessment. For many educators working with English Language Learners, assessment often feels inconsistent or incomplete. Most schools lack a clear, ongoing system to monitor language development — which can leave teachers guessing about student progress and unsure where to focus their support.

But here’s the truth: strong assessment isn’t just about testing. It’s about clarity. When you have the right tools and systems in place, you can confidently identify where your ELLs are right now and what they need next. That clarity leads to more focused instruction, faster growth, and better outcomes for both you & your students.

During today’s session, you’ll learn how to establish a simple, sustainable system for progress monitoring throughout the year. No more wondering if your students are improving — you’ll have real data to guide your decisions and adjust instruction. Most importantly, you’ll know exactly what to target to help them move up to the next proficiency level.

This step is a game-changer. With a strong assessment foundation, everything else becomes easier — from grouping students to choosing strategies and advocating for services. Let’s build that foundation today!