This guide helps parents understand how schools assess their child's English language ability and suggests ways for them to help schools place their children in the most useful language program. All districts must decide which students to test, and then how to test them. Some schools attempt to find out the English skills of all students, and others simply place them and wait until language problems appear. Others fall between the two approaches, automatically assessing students in some categories. The most common assessment method is some kind of formal testing, such as language proficiency examinations, overall achievement testing, or both. Unfortunately, many states test only the ability to speak English, including the states that use the Language Assessment scales. This instrument measures only a low level of language knowledge and does not determine the higher level needed for success in schools and employment. Parents can help the assessment process by: (1) providing schools with accurate information; (2) organizing centers for language minority students; and (3) requesting the use of several assessment methods. (SLD)