1. English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century
(E L P A 21)
(Required for DTCs, STCs, and ELPA21 TAs)
Updated January 2016 to reflect:
No pause rule for ELPA21 in
ELPA21 will be a single test with 4 segments, speaking is last with a separate TA approval
Students in the speaking segment will be able to go back to the previous segments and change item responses.
Students with domain exemptions will take the domain tests separately, rather than a single test. (TAM 9.3)

2. Objectives
Understand the definition and purpose of the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21)
Administer the ELPA21 appropriately

3. Purpose and Use
The ELPA21 (English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century) measures the proficiency of English Learners (ELs) in reading, writing, speaking and listening English based on Oregon’s 2013 English Language Proficiency Standards.
Used as part of Title I accountability to document which students are Limited English Proficient and as part of Title III Accountability incorporated into the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO).
Required for all students eligible to receive English Language Development (ELD) services.

4. Test Schedule and Scoring
ELPA21 test window: Feb. 2 – April 12 (TAM Appendix A)
Each test opportunity is subject to a 45- day expiration period and expired assessments are not re-opened. (TAM, Sec. 9.5)
As we transition to this new summative assessment, no ELPA21 scores will be available during school year
During this transition year, a number of things are not the same as in the past. The window will open in February 2, 2016.
1/4/16 UPDATED: There is no ELPA21 pause rule. Students will be able to go back and review all responses until the test is submitted or until it expires (45 days).

5. ELPA21: Section 9.0

6. Before Testing
Review Section 9 of the Test Administration Manual and your training notes
Identify students to be tested
Make sure you have the correct SSID for each student
Make sure each student’s LEP flag is set to “Y” in TIDE
Verify that any domain exemptions are programmed in TIDE before starting the test (TAM, Sec. 9.4)
Provide students with opportunities to become familiar with the test format and technology
Check headsets to ensure they are properly installed and functioning correctly
(Use the Practice Test or the AIR diagnostic tool to check headsets)
The practice test opens on 1/11/16. The AIR diagnostic tool is available any time through the OAKS secure browser (recommended).
FYI: 1/7/16 update: iPad practice test has been delayed. The Practice Test on iPads will be available by 2/2/16.

7. Test Administration
In , ELPA21 is administered as one fixed form test with four separate segments. The order of the segments is Listening, Reading, Writing, and then Speaking.
The Kindergarten and the 1st Grade tests are now separated in single grade bands
Both the Kindergarten and 1st grade ELPA21 includes a paper/pencil writing section. (TAM, Sec. 9.1)
While the ELPA21 is not timed, we estimate that it will take from 60 to 120 minutes to complete, depending on grade level. (TAM, Sec. 5.1)
In , ELPA21 is supported on iPads and Chromebooks, in addition to desktops and laptops.
No iPad Mini; no Android Tablets for
NEW: The operational ELPA21 will be formatted as a fixed-form assessment, separated into 4 segments (Oregon ELPA had 2 segments). There will be no TA approval required between the first 3 segments, but TA approval is still required between the Writing segment and the Speaking segment (this is similar to how the Oregon ELPA speaking segment has operated in the previous 4 years).
NEW: Students WILL be able to go back and change answers and review all item responses in all segments, until they SUBMIT the test or the test expires (after 45 days).

8. Test Administration (cont’d)
Monitor to ensure that students only have access to the allowable resources listed in the Oregon Accessibility Manual (OAM) (TAM, Sec. 6.2)
If breaking up the test into multiple sessions, allow students to finish all presented items on the screen before pausing the test. (TAM, Sec. 9.5)
For the ELPA21 Speaking domain, students may receive a pop- up warning if the recorded response is too soft. Students can play back their responses to verify before moving on, and can re-record if necessary.
Updated: There is no pause rule for ELPA21 in

9. Test Administration (cont’d)
For students whose IEP or 504 Plan exempts them from a domain, enter domain exemption in TIDE as a restricted resource prior to approving the student to test. When in doubt, don’t start the ELPA21. Always check the exemptions first. (TAM, Sec. 9.3)
Students with one or more domain exemptions will take the individual domains as completely separate tests. (TAM, Sec. 9.3)
Remember: All domain exemptions that were programmed during were removed from TIDE on October 1, Any exemptions must be freshly programmed, prior to the start of the ELPA21 for that student, based on updated IEPs or 504 plans.
New: Due to the fixed form nature of ELPA21, a test with a domain exemption will not work the way it did in the past. See the language in Section 9.3 of the TAM for information about the separate domain-level tests for students with domain exemptions.

10. Important dates to remember
If a student arrived at a U.S. school: On or before May 1, 2015, the student must take the ELPA21 and all state assessments: ELA, Math, and Science (as appropriate for his/her grade).
After May 1, 2015, the student must take the ELPA21 and state assessments in Math and Science (as appropriate for his/her grade).
Between April 1 and April 30, 2016, the student must take the assessments in Math and Science (as appropriate for his/her grade) but is not required to take the ELPA21 (unless the student is enrolled and officially identified as an EL on or before April 12, 2016).
On or after May 1, 2016, the student is not required to test. Please note: if a Newcomer misses the ELPA21 window AND is not required to take the ELA assessment, they will be considered a non-participant for that AMO.
(TAM Appendix B, Table 21)

11. Key Administration Points
An identified EL cannot be exempted from taking ELPA21. All identified ELs must participate. Schools must use the ELPA21 for ALL students eligible for services under the ESEA criteria for an English Learner, regardless of whether the student actually receives services.
Reclassified students in Year 1 or Year 2 of monitor status should not participate in the ELPA21unless they were reclassified “late.”
The late-exit date for was September 18, 2015.
No ELPA21 test items should ever be translated or read aloud.
Always refer to the Oregon Accessibility Manual ELPA21 Tables 1-7 for information on translations of directions only.

12. Best Practice Reminders
Familiarize yourself and your students ahead of testing about available accommodations and supports, especially for newcomer ELs.
Use Table 19 to assist students who are not familiar with technology/computer operations. (TAM, Sec. 9.2)
The ELPA21 Consortium recommends smaller testing groups while students acclimate to the new assessment. The recommended ratios are:

13. Best Practices (cont’d)
You may have students pause the ELPA21 at the beginning of the speaking domain and have the student resume later, being sure to keep in mind the 45-day test expiration period (expired ELPA21s are not re-opened).
You might choose to provide students with a name tag with picture to avoid confusion during the log-in process.

14. District Test Coordinator
User Role
Description
District Test Coordinator
Sections 1 – 14 of the Test Administration Manual
Appendices A – F of the Test Administration Manual
The Oregon Accessibility Manual (see OAM for role-specific reading requirements) (
School Test Coordinator
Sections 1 – 12 of the Test Administration Manual
ELPA21 Test Administrators
Sections of the Test Administration Manual
Section 9 of the TAM
Appendix A of the Test Administration Manual

15. Online Resources ELPA21 Webpage http:www.ode.state.or.us/go/elpa21
Test Administration Manual, Section 9
Promising Practices:
OAKS Portal and Practice Tests:
Oregon Accessibility Manual: