Thousands of recently arrived city students with less than a year in the school system are faced for the first time with the same test as native speakers

Education advocates and parents expressed their concern about the English test taken yesterday [January 9] by immigrant students in grades three, four and five. This is the first time that children with lower English-language skills had to take the same test as native English speakers.

“I was a little confused about some of the questions,” said Gregory Camilo, 9, a fourth-grade student at P.S. 173 in Washington Heights. Like the rest of his classmates, if Gregory does not pass the test, he cannot be promoted to the next grade and will have to go to summer school.

The test was multiple choice and included an essay, which made the parents and students nervous. “I don't think my daughter did very well, because she didn't have enough preparation,” said Belkys Medina, the mother of a third-grade special education student.

Education advocates said that the state and federal decision to force thousands of immigrant students to take the same test as U.S.-born students is an injustice that will sacrifice the quality of ESL instruction.

“We oppose the policy that obliges thousands of recently arrived students to take a test they do not completely understand and that does not measure with any degree of precision their progress in the language,” said Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition.

“It was ok and not ok. The essay was the hardest,” said Vanessa Guzmán, 10, a fifth grade student.

Children of Hispanic descent but born in the city felt more comfortable with the test. “It was real easy. I didn't have any problems,” said Noemí Ramírez, 10.

Some of the teachers also felt that the test does not fairly measure all students equally.

“You can't compare the ability of a child who grew up speaking English with the ability of a child who is just learning the language, especially when it comes to developing an essay,” said Lucila Cardozo, a fourth grade teacher.

Students from sixth, seventh and eighth grades will be tested in English next week. The math exam will take place in March.