ELPA
The ELPA is criterion reference assessment given in Michigan. The purpose of this
assessment is to inform schools of a student’s understanding of English. The
test is administered to a student entering a Michigan school who marks a
language other than English as his or her primary language on entrance forms. If
a student tests “proficient” or “advance proficient” immediately, he or she is
not enrolled in ELL support. If a student tests lower than“proficient”, he or
she is required to be given ELL support and accommodations. The test includes
different levels to be given dependent on a student’s grade in school.
Materials include a testing booklet and answer documents for students. Administrators have
scripted manuals, scoring examples and descriptions for the oral portion of the
test, and a c.d. to be used for the listening section.
Many of the test questions are not authentic. For example, the listening section
includes directions that would typically be given in a classroom, however
instead of performing the task described, students must sequence the tasks and
answer multiple choice questions. The readings are taken out of the context of a
student’s interests or a classroom unit.
The ELPA can be administered in leveled groups. Often administrators must test the
lowest level (K-2) one-on-one due to the limitations of the students. The test
includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening sections. The speaking
section must be given individually.
ELPA results give only basic information about a student’s proficiency level in
English. Unfortunately, this limited data forms the requirements for student’s
ELL instruction. If a student happens to do well on the assessment, but still
isn’t performing in the classroom, he or she is not required to receive extra
help. Results are reported in demographic groups, including the students’ native
languages. This may be helpful as schools can tailor instruction for groups that
show more need.
The ELPA is a lengthy test given as a screener in the fall and repeated as a more
lengthy test in the spring. It requires a large amount of time for the
administrator(s) as they must give multiple sections one-on-one. The test
results are extremely generalized and are sent home in English to parents who
most often speak the native language.
Kari Gruppen
assessment is to inform schools of a student’s understanding of English. The
test is administered to a student entering a Michigan school who marks a
language other than English as his or her primary language on entrance forms. If
a student tests “proficient” or “advance proficient” immediately, he or she is
not enrolled in ELL support. If a student tests lower than“proficient”, he or
she is required to be given ELL support and accommodations. The test includes
different levels to be given dependent on a student’s grade in school.
Materials include a testing booklet and answer documents for students. Administrators have
scripted manuals, scoring examples and descriptions for the oral portion of the
test, and a c.d. to be used for the listening section.
Many of the test questions are not authentic. For example, the listening section
includes directions that would typically be given in a classroom, however
instead of performing the task described, students must sequence the tasks and
answer multiple choice questions. The readings are taken out of the context of a
student’s interests or a classroom unit.
The ELPA can be administered in leveled groups. Often administrators must test the
lowest level (K-2) one-on-one due to the limitations of the students. The test
includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening sections. The speaking
section must be given individually.
ELPA results give only basic information about a student’s proficiency level in
English. Unfortunately, this limited data forms the requirements for student’s
ELL instruction. If a student happens to do well on the assessment, but still
isn’t performing in the classroom, he or she is not required to receive extra
help. Results are reported in demographic groups, including the students’ native
languages. This may be helpful as schools can tailor instruction for groups that
show more need.
The ELPA is a lengthy test given as a screener in the fall and repeated as a more
lengthy test in the spring. It requires a large amount of time for the
administrator(s) as they must give multiple sections one-on-one. The test
results are extremely generalized and are sent home in English to parents who
most often speak the native language.
Kari Gruppen