PLACENTIA : Testing Puts Kids on Best Study Track

Before her first day of school, 4-year-old Vanessa Montanez had already taken her first test.

With her mother seated by her side, Vanessa answered several questions by instructional aide Karen Donovan.

After laying out cardboard figures depicting a family having a picnic at the park, Donovan asked Vanessa to identify specific objects and people, posing the questions in English and in Spanish, the language spoken most often in the girl’s home.

The process took place Wednesday at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District’s assessment center at Wagner Elementary School in Placentia. As required by the state, students whose parents indicate on a home language survey that English is not the primary language must be tested for their proficiency in English.

The results help schools place students in the best environment for learning and language development.

Program specialist Mari Hatter makes recommendations to the student’s school based on the results and an interview with the parents.

Although testing takes place throughout the year, the bulk of assessments are done at the beginning of the school year. Since Aug. 20, an average of 40 students a day have gone through the process. The cost for the program for the 1991-92 school year is $110,000.

Using oral and written testing, instructional aides evaluate the students’ abilities to understand, speak and write English. And they test their abilities in their first language.

“The stronger the student’s grasp of their primary language, the easier time they have learning in a second language,” Hatter said.

The district center was opened last year. Before, assessment was done at each school site. Combining the resources to form a central facility has had several advantages, Hatter said.

“There is a consistency to the assessment procedure, a standardized way of doing it,” Hatter said.

Schools with only a few limited- or non-English-speaking students benefit by having access to a larger number of instructional aides. The assessment center draws aides from all over the district as needed, with at least eight languages represented.

Another advantage to the center is the parental contact. Previously, students were pulled from their classroom, tested and the information was sent to their parents through the mail or sent home with the child.

Often the aide will get additional information during the interview, such as the child is shy or has a vision or hearing problem, which can help the aide conduct the test.

For Laura Montanez, Vanessa’s mother, witnessing the testing process offered her a glimpse into what school will be like for her daughter. With Hatter interpreting, Montanez said the assessment gave her a better idea of Vanessa’s abilities.

“I enjoy seeing her as a student,” Montanez said.

Parents are also given information on additional programs available, school policies, graduation requirements and other school-related topics.

Besides evaluating a student’s English, the center refers parents to various social agencies if there is a need. Most referrals are to health-care agencies, such as county health services and the Lion’s Club for vision screening. But referrals also are made to social services.