CPS Gives Bilingual Students a Break on Tougher State Tests from the Chicago Sun-Times

March 3, 2008

As Illinois students who are still learning English prepare to take, for the first time, the same achievement tests given to all other students, Chicago Public Schools chief Arne Duncan said Sunday he will not use their scores to decide who gets promoted.

Duncan also said he would put together a team to evaluate what to do if low student scores affect individual school performance. Duncan and other Chicago educators have already criticized the decision to have the students take the tests.

Even with about 20 accommodations — such as a teacher reading scripted test questions or students using a bilingual glossary — Duncan said the tests will make for a frustrating and difficult couple of days for the students.

"We'll have some zeros,'' Duncan said. "It's heart-breaking.''

Duncan also fears that poor scores from the students will put schools into "failing'' status with the state.

The new test policy was mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind law. In 2006, federal officials questioned whether the state's test for students in bilingual programs — which was in English but in simplified language — was adequate.

Then in October, federal officials told the state that bilingual students in public school for more than a year would be required to take the same tests other students do.

"There was plenty of time to come up with better solutions,'' Duncan said.

Illinois State Board of Education spokesman Matt Vanover said the state worked "diligently'' for 15 months to find a solution after learning in 2006 that the existing exam was not acceptable.

Also, permission to delay testing was sought until Friday, but federal officials said Illinois risked several consequences, some financial, if it did that, Vanover said.