What sort of consequences might EL students face who do not have teachers who implement

these recommendations for using results to guide instruction?

In the article, Using Literacy assessment results to improve teaching for English-
language learners by Lori Helman, four key ideas about how using the results from PALS early
literacy assessments can help guide instruction. These key ideas include identifying groups of
students in need of additional support, providing instruction at students ‘developmental levels,
identifying aspects of literacy learning that are difficult for individuals and groups of students,
and identifying students early to provide enriched learning opportunities. These key ideas are
good practices for all students, but it is especially important for students that struggle or are
English Language learners. It is important to identify students early who are at risk. English
learners from Spanish speaking backgrounds have been found to score lower than their English
only peers on Early Literacy Assessments such as PALS. The author of the article discussed how
a school should provide literacy classes that focuses on developing vocabulary, comprehension,
and back ground knowledge. The article also discusses how students that do not develop at
similar rate are at risk of falling further and further behind. The article referred to the “Matthew
Effect” which states that those that are literacy rich keep advancing while the poor readers
advance at a much slower rate. If a teacher does not take the necessary steps to identify ELL
students that struggle they may never be able to catch up or overcome this deficit. It is important
to implement intervention programs and instruction that includes using the background
knowledge and literacy experiences that ELL students bring to the classroom. Teacher’s need to
be prepared and have resources to help these students in the areas that are identified as deficits.
Tests such as the PALS allow teachers to provide instruction at a student’s developmental level.
These tests also allow teachers to identify aspects of literacy that is difficult for the students.
Students who struggle and students who are English Language Learners benefit from having
their instruction tailored to their individual needs. They come to school with the disadvantage of
having to learn a new language and it is the school’s responsibility to help them be successful.
Without these interventions, they may be doomed to struggle throughout their school career.

Helman, L. A. (2005). Using Literacy Assessment Results to Improve Teaching for English-
Language Learners. The Reading Teacher, 58(7), 668-677. doi:10.1598/rt.58.7.7