Supports for English Learners
ACT provides supports on the ACT® test to US students who are not proficient in English. These supports are designed to improve access and equity for those students whose proficiency in English might prevent them from fully demonstrating the skills and knowledge they have learned in school.
Available English Learner Supports
Some English learner (EL) students may need to use one or more of the following supports:
- Translated test directions in limited languages
- Use of approved Word-to-word bilingual dictionaries
- One and one-half time, single day
Translated Test Directions
ACT provides test directions in a limited number of languages that are printed locally at testing centers. On test day, EL students should plan to arrive early to notify the testing staff that translated test directions are needed.
Check the following lists of available translations prior to the scheduled test day to ensure that the language needed is available. Using any translation that ACT does not offer is considered prohibited behavior and will result in scores to be voided.
Available translated test directions for National testing:
ACT Test Translated Directions for English Learners - Online (PDF)
ACT Test Translated Directions for English Learners - Paper (PDF)
Word-to-word Bilingual Dictionary
EL students are required to bring their own word-to-word bilingual dictionary on test day. Testing centers will not provide or have dictionaries to use.
Prior to the test day, EL students should check that the bilingual dictionary they plan to bring is listed on the ACT-Approved Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries (PDF) list.
If it is not listed, they are not authorized to use it for the ACT test. Refer to the dictionary list for guidelines on how to request a bilingual dictionary that is not listed. Using a dictionary not on the authorized list is considered prohibited behavior and will result in scores to be voided.
One and One-Half Time, Single Day (extended time)
If an EL student requires extended time they must work with their school to submit the request in TAA by the posted deadline. ACT will review the request to determine if the EL student is authorized to use extended time for the ACT. Timely submission of proper documentation is required to ensure decisions are made for the students' preferred test date.
If authorized by ACT, extended time for English learners will expire after two years. EL students should check their Decision Notification to ensure their support has not expired. If so, and the EL student still requires extra testing time, the school must submit a reconsideration in TAA and provide current academic year supporting documentation.
Note: ACT only provides one and one-half time, single day as an available EL support. Multiple day testing is not an allowable EL support ACT offers or authorizes.
Criteria for Establishing English Learner Status
ACT follows criteria from the US federal law for establishing EL earner status, primarily from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). To be eligible for EL supports that requires ACT approval, an examinee must reside within the United States, US territories, or Puerto Rico.
Acceptable supporting documentation for all EL support requests shows one or more of the following qualifiers:
- Limited English Proficiency
- Participation in an English language Acquisition program
- Current supports received in school for English learner needs.
Acceptable Documentation
Supporting documentation may include but is not limited to:
- English language proficiency assessment results such as:
- WIDA
- ELPA21
- TOEF
- English language proficiency screener assessment results:
- WIDA Screener
- ELPA21 Dynamic Screener
- LAS Links
- Confirmation of eligibility or participation in an English language program such as:
- Class schedule
- Student profile in Student Information System (SIS)
- English Learner Plan
Supporting documentation does not include:
- Passports
- Applications to US schools
- Exchange student status
- Student visas
- Home language surveys
- Documentation that does not meet requirements such as
- Older than 12 months
- Missing information
- Student in exited status
Determining English Learner Supports on the ACT
ACT has adopted the following guiding principles for responding to requests from examinees identified as English learners for test supports:
- Requirements and procedures for test supports must ensure fairness for all examinees, both those seeking supports and those testing under standard conditions.
- Supports must be appropriate and reasonable for those with English learner needs.
- Documentation of English learner status must meet guidelines established herein. Examinees must provide information about prior supports received in a similar setting, such as in academic classes and other testing situation.
Resources
Title | Description |
---|---|
ACT Test Translated Directions for English Learners - Paper (PDF) | Translation of the paper test directions in the ACT test booklet |
ACT Test Translated Directions for English Learners - Online (PDF) | Translation of the online test directions in the ACT test booklet |
ACT-Approved Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries (PDF) | Guidelines and a detailed list of approved word-to-word dictionaries for use by examinees approved for English learner supports |
English Learner Infographic (PDF) | Quick visual reference about available EL supports |
Infografía del Estudiante de Inglés (PDF) | Quick visual reference about available EL supports (Spanish version of above) |
English Learner Infographic (PDF) - Traditional Chinese | Quick visual reference about available EL supports (Traditional Chinese version of above) |
English Learner Infographic (PDF) - Simplified Chinese | Quick visual reference about available EL supports (Simplified Chinese version of above) |
English Learner Infographic (PDF) - Arabic | Quick visual reference about available EL supports (Arabic version of above) |