Erichsrud, AndreaJohnstone, Christopher2011-08-022011-08-022007https://hdl.handle.net/11299/109988This article describes research that used the think-aloud method to elicit responses from students on released high stakes test items. Four students who were English language proficient and four students whose first language was Spanish completed a mini-test made up of four mathematics items. In the process of thinking aloud, the students revealed that design (formatting) issues in items can cause some students to struggle, that read aloud accommodations are still necessary for students who struggle with English, and that culturally irrelevant information may mislead or confuse students who are new to this country. The evidence from this study demonstrates that we need further research and activities at the state and district level to ensure that high stakes assessments are both accessible and valid for all students.en-USArticle