cm on Solano-Flores

Solano-Flores on “Who Is Given Tests in What Language by Whom, When, and Where? The Need for Probabilistic Views of Language in the Testing of English Language Learners.”

This article describes the limitations of current ELL testing practices and their effectiveness or ineffective as well. Solano-Flores based his reasons on categorical, deterministic views of language and erroneous assumptions of assessment systems in ELL students. He also describes the need for probabilistic approaches based on generalizability theory in order to address valid measures of academic achievements for ELL students. In addition the process of ELL testing is affected by factors that are unpredictable and beyond the control of test makers and all those involved in the test. It is stated that probabilistic views of language in ELL testing helps to see a clearer picture between assessment system effectiveness and score dependability.

I guess the idea that “one test fits all” is hardly true. There are so many factors involved that makes validity of tests ineffective. One of the factors mentioned in the article has to do with dialects. Some where in the back of my mind, I’ve always wondered how educators or others come up with “standardized” languages or other. The article on this subject really spoke to me when it said that there really isn’t a standard language or dialect. And that standardized dialects actually come from those who have more power or voice in all the sites put together. In our site, we often hear about standardized Yup’ik and I some times wonder what that really means. I think I know what the author is talking about now. There really isn’t a standardized Yup’ik or standardized Yup’ik writing system, is there.