The Case for Bilingual Assessments in Early Childhood

By Esmeralda Fuentes

Published June 2024

Summary

Traditional English-only assessments fail to capture the full scope of bilingual students' abilities, often leading to misinterpretations of their skills. Elena's experience as a bilingual student highlights the necessity for assessments that account for proficiency in both languages. Cognitive ToyBox addressed these challenges through a six-week study, involving teachers, students, and families, to explore game-based assessments accommodating both English and Spanish. The study’s outcomes included enhanced assessments that toggle between languages, capturing bilingual students’ strengths, and providing actionable insights for families. This approach fosters a more inclusive educational environment, recognizing and supporting the unique needs of bilingual learners.

Other Research