Assessing English Language Learners: Bridges to Educational Equity: Connecting Academic Language Proficiency to Student Achievement

Abstract

Assessing English Language Learners: Bridges to Educational Equity: Connecting Academic Language Proficiency to Student Achievement is a comprehensive resource that intends to build bridges that promote educational equity, particularly in the areas of instruction and assessment. The book consists of two parts each of which includes four chapters. Part I, entitled “Assessment as a Context for Teaching and Learning: Bridges to Equity,” focuses on the issues of equity concerning the assessment of language learners, more specifically, English Language Learners (ELLs). The author lists educators and their primary instructional and assessment responsibilities for the education of language learners, which can serve as a useful guide in determining the varied expectations from different educators in regard to their contribution to comprehensive services for ELLs. Gottlieb describes linguistically and culturally responsive classrooms and schools, and asserts that establishing a responsive learning environment is the only way to optimize learning opportunities and to effectively and equally serve the increasingly heterogeneous U.S. public school student population.