Language Proficiency Screening for Multilingual Learners

Support Our Youngest Multilingual Learners with Age-Specific, Short Language Proficiency Screeners

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. PT

What is the purpose of language proficiency screening in preschool? It takes effort, so what are the benefits? The Head Start mandate is to support all learners, and Governor Newsom recently rescinded the mandate to test TK students with the ELPAC, so why? In this presentation, we discuss the other purpose of language assessment besides accountability: supporting learning by giving detailed information about students’ current language skills and the ways in which their development can be supported. A broad mandate to support all learners is positive, but to make it practically implementable, educators need information.

Screening assessment can provide that – and it can be fun and engaging, to boot! The assessments you use just have to be well-designed, age-appropriate, and focused on informativeness. That’s what we focus on in this presentation.

Who should attend?

Education administrators and staff in Head Start and Early Head Start, especially programs who are serving multilingual learners, migrant and refugee families.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Your Presenters:

Dr. Sari Luoma

VP of Assessment & Curriculum, Ballard & Tighe

Dr. Sari Luoma has worked in language assessment for over 30 years, the last 20 of them at Ballard & Tighe. She is currently the VP of Assessment & Curriculum. Sari is responsible for the design and direction of Ballard & Tighe’s standardized testing initiatives, and she also contributes to the design and development of the company’s instructional products for multilingual learners in Pre-K-12. In addition to materials development, Sari has designed in-service training programs and taught courses on computer-assisted language assessment and test development. Her research interests in language testing include test validation, the assessment of speaking, computer-assisted assessment, and the use of assessment in support of learning. Sari is a frequent speaker at conferences and author of several articles and chapters in edited volumes, as well as the book Assessing Speaking, published by Cambridge University Press (2004). She holds a Ph.D. in applied linguistics, and a M.A. and B.A. in language arts and education from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Sari values opportunities to connect with educators who work with multilingual learners and the rewarding insights that arise from these discussions.

Lori Hill

Educational Consultant, Ballard & Tighe

As an educational consultant specializing in assessment at Ballard and Tighe, Publishers, Lori is passionate about education and improving the lives of students and teachers. She builds relationships with schools and districts and enjoys helping her clients find the right assessments and tools to fit their needs.

Lori understands that the preschool years are an important period for social development and belonging. She believes strongly in supporting the youngest multilingual learners so they can develop two languages to not only broaden their community but to also provide equity in education.