BOISE, Idaho
The state should hire more bilingual teachers and allow students who are not proficient in English to skip standardized tests or take them in their native language, the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs says. The agency released a report last Thursday on how Idaho can better educate a growing population of Hispanic students and close the stark achievement gap.
Last year, Hispanic students scored significantly lower than non-Hispanic students in reading, math and language on statewide tests taken during the 2006-2007 school year, according to a study released by the commission.
For example, one in five Hispanic students in the 10th grade scored below proficiency levels in math on the Idaho Standardized Achievement Test, while only one in 12 non-Hispanic white students failed the test.
The test is used to determine whether schools are meeting federal benchmarks set by the No Child Left Behind Act.
