English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment

Students in grades Kindergarten through 12 who have been formally identified as English learners (EL)  must be assessed annually to monitor their progress in acquiring academic English. Alaska’s secure large-scale English language proficiency (ELP) assessment is based on the WIDA* English Language Proficiency Standards, 2007. The assessment is called WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0. It is a tool used to assess the proficiency levels of EL students’ receptive and productive skills in English in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The English language proficiency assessment focuses on the progress and proficiency levels of academic language rather than content area knowledge and skills, therefore, some accommodations that might be appropriate for the classroom or content areas tests should not be used with the ELP assessment as they will invalidate the test. Assessment administration information is available on the World-class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) website. Additional information is available on the  Alaska Department of Education and Early Development website.

Alternate English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment

The Alternate ELP assessment is an assessment of English language proficiency (ELP) for students in grades 1 -12 who are formally identified as English learners (EL) and have significant cognitive disabilities that prevent their meaningful participation in the regular English language proficiency assessment. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB; 2001) requires that all students identified as EL be assessed annually for English language proficiency, including students who receive special education services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; 2004) also mandates that students with disabilities participate in state-wide and district-wide assessment programs, including alternate assessments with appropriate accommodations, when it is documented in their Individualized Education Programs (IEP).

Each test form in the Alternate ELP test assesses the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Test forms are divided into the following grade-level clusters: 1 – 2, 3 – 5, 6 – 8 and 9 – 12.

Parents have the right to make educational decisions for their child, including whether to participate in statewide testing.

Resources:

• Parent/Guardian Handout for ACCESS for ELLs 2.0
• Parent/Guardian Handout for Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
• Parent Guide for ACCESS for ELLS 2.0 Score Reports
• Parent Guide for Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Score Reports
• Interpretive Guide for WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Score Reports
• Estimated Student Testing Times