Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
ELL Assessment and Placement
This section addresses the critical questions of how to properly assess and place English language learners.
These resources include information on program placement; informal, formal, and written assessment; state standards; and parent resources.
Webcast: Assessment of ELLs
This webcast, featuring Dr. Lorraine Valdez Pierce, covers performance-based standardized assessments; assessment as a tool for informing instruction and reinforcing reading comprehension; and student self-assessment and self-monitoring.
Articles and Tips for Educators
ELL Placement
ELL Assessment
- ELL Starter Kit for Educators: Tools for Monitoring Language Skills
- Using Informal Assessments for ELLs
- No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Assessment of English Language Learners
- Assessing Fluency
ELLs & Written Assessment
Related Resources
More Resources from Colorín Colorado
- Web Resources by State
- Research & Reports: Assessment and Accommodations
- Recommended Resources: Assessment and Evaluation
Information for Parents
Testing: An Introduction for Parents offers parents overview of standardized testing and suggests strategies that will help support school success.
ELL Assessment Booklist
These books offer an introduction to assessment best practices for English language learners, as well as numerous student examples and special considerations to keep in mind.
Many of the books include hands-on resources such as rubrics, student-led conference forms, and graphic organizers.
Recommended Websites
These websites will provide additional information about assessment and placement for ELLs.
Search Colorín Colorado
I recently found your website and it is very informative. You have found a way to teach ELLs in a more objective method and I applaud you for that. God Bless you all for your efforts to make our society aware of the need to teach English to those who come to make their dreams a reality in our country.
~ Arthur G.












