KUOW: Native students told to take English proficiency test

Friday, March 23, 2012  

"Nick Barth is a freshman honors literature student at Chief Sealth High School. He loves to read. Right now he's in the middle of two 500–page books. One is "The Fellowship of the Ring," and —

Nick Barth: " — I'm reading a compilation of dystopic novels called 'Brave New Worlds,' and it's edited by John Joseph Adams."

Last year, Nick was pulled out of class at Madison Middle School to take a surprise test.

Nick Barth: "All they said is 'English proficiency,' and because we're Native."

Nick is White Earth Ojibwe, and he found himself in a room with other Native American kids.

Nick Barth: "They gave us questions like 'What do you live in?' And then it showed two pictures: a house or a basketball.""

Get the Story:
Schools Give Native Students English Proficiency Tests (KUOW 3/23)