Test Information (Q and A)
Who takes the annual ELL test?
Students who have been identified as ELLs by WELPA Placement Test or by the 2015 WELPA Annual Test will be required to take the test.
Why is the annual ELL test required?
Federal law requires all ELLs to take a yearly assessment of English proficiency, including students whose parents have waived program services. Therefore, parents cannot opt their child out of testing.
What does the assessment measure?
It measures the progress studentsare making in achieving English proficiency.
How is the test result used?
The test results will determine whether a student will exit the ELL program or continue in the ELL program in the 2016-2017 school year.
When is the testing period for the annual ELL testing?
The testing window for this year is February 2 through March 11.
What is the name of the “new” assessment?
ELPA21 (English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century)
Isbased on English Language Proficiency Standards (ELP Standards) adopted by Washington state and 11 other states. This is the first year that this assessment will be administered in these 12 states.
What are the grade bands for ELPA21?
There are six grade bands: kindergarten, grade 1, grades 2 & 3, grades 4 & 5, grades 6 through 8, and grades 9 through 12.
What is the format of the test?
It will be a computer-based test, like Smarter Balanced Assessments(SBAC). It is designed to be engaging and interactive, and includes questions that reflect classroom and real world scenarios.
Are there practice tests to help students know how to take this kind of test?
Yes, the ELL staff will make sure that ELLs are trained touse the navigating tools and become familiar with the test taking experience. Families can also access this training site any time by copying and pasting the link below.
will be covered on ELPA21?
There are four subtests (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
Listening Subtest: Students will hear the prompts through their headphones and then respond by clicking on a multiple-choice answer or by dragging and dropping a graphic or a piece of text.
Speaking Subtest: Students will hear the prompts through their headphones and then record their answers. They can listen to their recording and re-record a response if not satisfied.
Reading Subtest: Students will read different types of text including a short correspondence, procedural, literary, and informational passages. They will demonstrate comprehension by answering multiple choice as well as drag-and-drop questions.
Writing Subtest: Second through twelve graders will respond to the prompts by typing. The test for kindergarteners and first graders will consist of two sections: 1) online section where they’ll drag letters to form words and drag words to complete or form sentences and 2) paper-and-pencil section.
Is there a way to prepare for ELPA21?
No, ELPA21 assesses ELL’s current level of English proficiency and reflects grade level ELP Standardsbeing taughtin their classes. But students can access the practice test as many times as they want.
How much time will students have to finish a subtest?
ELPA21 is an untimed test. Students can work through the test at his/her pace.
But students must complete each subtest on the same day it was begun.
Will ELPA21 be given in one day?
No, the subtests will be administered over a few days.
When can we expect the test results?
Typically, the individual score reports come out in early June. Families will be notifiedwhen the score reports arrive.