If your family speaks more than one language in the home, your child may be required to take an annual assessment called “LAS Links”. This test is given each spring, typically some time in March. LAS Links is designed to evaluate your child’s proficiency in English to comply with regulations from NCLB (No Child Left Behind). Depending on the age of your child, he or she will be required to take either the LAS Links test or the Pre-LAS Links test.
For more information about these annual assessments, please select the test that your child will be taking:
LAS Links (K -12th grade – New 1st-12th Students & Spring Assessment)
Pre-LAS Links (Placement Exam for New Kindergarten Students)
What is LAS Links?
LAS Links is designed to evaluate your child’s knowledge and skill with the English language. MCCSC uses this tool to help us provide your child with the support services necessary to help him or her succeed in school. This test will not have any effect on your child’s grades in school.
What does LAS Links test?
LAS Links is designed to evaluate all four major skills necessary for English language proficiency: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. LAS Links does not test knowledge of material taught in school; it does test whether your child has the necessary English language skills to succeed in U.S. schools.
Why does my child have to take the LAS Links test?
The state of Indiana requires that all children who speak a language other than English (this includes students who speak English as well) at home must take the LAS Links exam. This is not to penalize your child, but to inform us of his or her English language skills. Language skill assessment is required by state and federal law, and MCCSC must comply.
My child does not struggle with English and has received a score of 4 or 5 on the previous exam. Why do they have to take the test again?
State and federal law (No Child Left Behind) requires that students be tested until they receive a level 5 proficiency score for two consecutive years on the annual assessment exam before they are exited from our records and program. MCCSC must comply with these laws.
However, if your child scored a level 5 proficiency on the placement exam when they were enrolled in MCCSC schools, he or she will not be enrolled in the ESL program and will not have to take any further LAS Links exams.
When is the LAS Links test given?
The LAS Links test is administered to students at one of two times:
1)
The student is newly enrolled in a MCCSC school and speaks a language in addition to English. When a child enrolls in MCCSC, a LAS Links test will be given in order to identify your child’s level of English proficiency.
2)
The student who has been identified as an English Language Learner (ELL) will then participate in an annual assessment, typically given in the spring of each year.
Will my child miss a lot of class time because of this test?
No. In fact, our teachers and test administers attempt to work with your child’s schedule as much as possible so that your child will miss only minimal class time. The main portion of the test is given in a large group and takes approximately an hour and a half to complete; the speaking portion of the test, which takes an additional ten to fifteen minutes, must be completed on an individual basis with a test administer.
What can I do to prepare my child for this test?
To make the annual exam run smoothly, please talk to your child about the importance of reporting to their testing room on time for both the written and oral portions of the exam. Because this test will not affect your child’s grades in school, please do not let your child become stressed or worried about this test. Your child will perform well on this test if they relax and concentrate on doing their best.
What does the test look like?
To see sample questions for the LAS Links exam, you may wish to view pages 6-19 of the PDF file provided by CTB McGraw-Hill. Please click on the link below to access this PDF:
Sample Questions
Pre-LAS 2000 (Kindergarten LAS Links)
What is preLAS 2000?
The preLAS 2000 exam is a test designed specifically to evaluate your kindergartener’s knowledge and skill with the English language. MCCSC uses this tool to help us provide your child with the support services necessary to help him or her succeed in school. This test is given upon enrollment in MCCSC schools and will not have any effect on your child’s grades in school.
Why does my child have to take the preLAS Links test?
The state of Indiana requires that all children who speak a language other than English at home must take the LAS Links exam (this includes students who speak English as well). This is not to penalize your child, but to inform us of his or her English language skills. Language skill assessment is required by state and federal law, and MCCSC must comply.
Will my child be nervous during the preLAS exam?
The preLAS exam is designed specifically to meet the needs of young learners ages 4-6. Components of the test include recognizing words, letters and numbers; listening to and telling stories; and naming items in pictures (for more information about the exam content, see “What does the test look like?”). The format of the test has been carefully designed to include colorful illustrations and a game-like appearance to keep the child’s attention. They may even like it!
My child does not struggle with English and has received a score of 4 or 5 on the previous exam. Why do they have to take the test again?
State and federal law (No Child Left Behind) requires that students be tested until they receive a level 5 proficiency score for two consecutive years on the annual assessment exam before they are exited from our records and program. MCCSC must comply with these laws.
However, if your child scored a level 5 proficiency on the placement exam when they were enrolled in MCCSC schools, he or she will not be enrolled in the ESL program and will not have to take any further LAS Links exams.
When is the LAS Links test given?
The LAS Links test is administered to students at one of two times:
1)
The student is newly enrolled in a MCCSC school and speaks a language in additions to English. When a child enrolls in MCCSC, a LAS Links test will be given in order to identify your child’s level of English proficiency. This is when your kindergartener will encounter Pre-LAS 2000.
2)
The student has been identified as an English Language Learner (ELL) and will then participate in an annual assessment, typically given in the spring of each year. This assessment will be the regular LAS Links exam.
What can I do to prepare my child for this test?
Inform your child that a teacher or a “teacher’s helper” will come to play some games and read some stories with them. Encourage them to have fun and listen very carefully to what they are told to do. Do not put any pressure on your child to do well: this test is not designed to “grade”, only evaluate your child’s current language skills. Your child will not be penalized in any way and will not affect your child’s grades. Your child will do their best if they feel safe and are not worried or stressed.
What does the test look like?
The preLAS 2000 exam tests the following pre-literacy skills:
- identifying numbers, letters, and basic words
-
beginning writing skills, such as correct formation of letters
The preLAS 2000 exam tests the following oral language skills:
- following directions
-
demonstrating knowledge of basic oral vocabulary
- repeating specific sounds and grammatical constructs common to English
- communicating in complete and complex sentences with adults
- retelling events
To see sample questions for the LAS Links exam, you may wish to view pages 6-19 of the PDF file provided by CTB McGraw-Hill. (NOTE: This file is not the same as the preLAS 2000 exam. These questions are from the LAS Links annual assessment exam for
1st-12th grade.)
Please click on the link below to access this PDF:
Sample Questions
Didn’t find the answer to your question?
Please feel free to contact your school’s principal, ESL teacher, or the ESL Office if you have any other questions or concerns.
