ELPA-21: A new assessment for English Language Learners
February 01, 2016
Every year, students who are English Language Learners take an assessment to measure their abilities in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening in English. We use the results of this test to measure student growth, make decisions about how best to assist these students in language acquisition in the future, and determine when students have successfully completed the program. In previous years, students took an assessment called English Language Development Assessment, or ELDA. This year we will have a new assessment for English Language Learners. English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century, or ELPA-21, will replace our old test.
In mid February, English Language Learners in grades K-12 will take ELPA -21 for the time. This test, much like the previous ELDA test, will assess students’ abilities in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening in English. The biggest difference between the two tests is that the old test was taken with paper and pencil, while the new test is done almost exclusively on the computer. We have been busy practicing for this test, so that all the students can be familiar with the testing software and the use of headphones with microphones to record their speech. This is an exciting time in the ELL room, and we appreciate your support at home to make sure your student is ready on testing days. Going to bed early, and eating a good breakfast will help make testing days a success. As expected, results from the ELPA-21 test will be mailed home to the parents when scores are received by the school district in August.