The Special Accommodations ad hoc Committee believes that one purpose of the state level assessments is to provide data to inform the state regarding the needs for students in special populations. Including all students in the state assessments is intended to provide important information to inform policy decisions. Nevertheless, it is NOT the intent to advocate English only instruction. It is the intent to encourage appropriate instructional practices which are conducive to the cognitive and academic development of students' who are acquiring English. These practices may include instruction in the students' native language, ESL instruction, sheltered English instruction, cooperative learning strategies, and use of a wide variety of presentation strategies and instructional materials.
Good instruction builds on students' prior knowledge and experiences.
The participation of transitional bilingual students in the educational process should be built on a base of respect for the home language and culture of all students. As our statewide population becomes more diverse, we should carefully construct learning environments which recognize diversity and support instructional practices which lead to fluent English proficiency in all academic areas.