What significant step can a bilingual teacher take to ensure standardized tests are aligned with their standards and curricula?

Reviewing effective test-taking strategies with English Language Learners (ELL) is crucial for ensuring that students can navigate standardized tests successfully. When bilingual teachers provide students with the tools and strategies they need to approach these tests confidently, they help bridge the gap that might exist due to language barriers. This practice not only reinforces the curriculum content but also empowers students to utilize their language skills effectively during testing.

By emphasizing test-taking strategies tailored to the specific challenges that ELL students may face, such as understanding question formats and managing time effectively, teachers can significantly enhance their students' performance on assessments. This aligns the testing experience more closely with what has been taught in the classroom, thereby supporting standards and curricula.

In contrast, encouraging independent study, reducing the number of tests administered, or providing only oral assessments each address aspects of testing in a different way that may not directly link to aligning standardized tests with established curricular standards. For instance, reducing tests might minimize stress but does not ensure alignment with the curriculum. Oral assessments can be beneficial too, but they might not adequately prepare students for the nature of standardized testing formats they will encounter.