1. ELPA21 2018-19 Administrator Training

2. ELPA21: Online Testing
Washington’s language proficiency test, the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21), will be administered to K-12 English language learners across the state. As a state Washington tests approximately 130,000 English learners each year on the annual assessment.

3. ELPA21: Delivery
ELPA21 is an online test that uses the same online test engine that is used to deliver ELPA21 Screener, the WCAS, and the Smarter Balanced assessments.

4. Using the AIR System
If you need support for starting a test session or using other aspects of the AIR system, please review the modules available through the WCAP portal. These modules include support for adding students to TIDE, entering information in DEI, Starting a Test Session, and others.
(Choose “Modules” under the Test Administration Resources)

5. ELPA21: Delivery by Paper / Pencil test
In an effort to more accurately measure the basic writing skills of our youngest ELLs, students in kindergarten and first grade will be provided with a paper/ pencil test booklet (in addition to the online writing component) for a small portion of the writing assessment.

6. ELPA21: Paper / Pencil test for K-1
Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to write and trace letters, and perform other writing tasks typical of early writers.
Districts will receive booklets for each of the kindergarten and first grade students and will receive detailed directions about how to assign, collect and return the booklets.
The K-1 paper writing supplement is considered secure testing materials.

7. ELPA21 IMPORTANT DATES Annual Assessment January 28 - March 22
Washington State ELPA21 Summative (Annual) Assessment Window
Practice Test available NOW
Materials return: March 29

8. Approximate Test Times
Actual times will vary dependent upon variables specific to your school and students. We suggest adding an additional minutes for test administer activities such as logging on.

9. Technology
Please note that a new secure browser is required as of November 2018 and must be installed to run ELPA21 tests in 2019.

10. Accessibility Supports
As a state test, the ELPA21 may be taken with or without tools, supports, or accommodations:
Tools are available to all students and can be used at the student's discretion. 
Supports are available to English language learners and any student with a need identified by an educator. 
Accommodations are for students who receive special education services with a documented need noted in an IEP or 504 plan.
You can find the Guidelines for Tools, Supports, and Accommodations document here

11. Accessibility
GTSA P6

12. Translated Directions Available
The following translated student directions have been provided for student support. The consortium and Washington allows translation of student directions into additional languages, if needed. You may want to consider assigning a TA who can translate the directions for the student. We highly encourage that students who needs this support get additional practice in advance of the test.
Arabic Supplemental Directions PDF (New: 12/20/17)
Arabic Gr K-1 Writing Supplement PDF (New: 12/20/17)
Chinese Supplemental Directions PDF (New: 12/20/17)
Chinese Gr K-1 Writing Supplement PDF (New: 12/20/17)
Marshallese Audio, PDF
Russian Audio, PDF
Sgaw-Karen Audio, PDF
Spanish Audio, PDF
Vietnamese Audio, PDF

13. Accessibility Supports- Confer with Special Education Teacher
OSPI provides the Guidelines for Tools, Supports, and Accommodations for all state testing, with specific ELPA21 guidelines included in the manual.
GTSA
The ELPA21 Accessibility and Accommodations Manual is also available within the WCAP-portal.

14. Alternate Testing for Cognitively Disabled English Learners
Washington is using the WIDA Alternate ACCESS for ELLs test as the alternate assessment for English language proficiency (ELP) for students in grades K -12 who have significant cognitive disabilities that prevent their meaningful participation in the ELPA21 assessment
This test requires specific TA training.

15. Student Test Tickets
Tickets will be provided to you by the School Assessment Coordinator (SAC). Please coordinate with the SAC on when you will need them.
Tickets should be handed out then collected as soon as the student has signed in.
Used for test login

16. Before Testing
Instructional materials or any other information displayed in the classroom that might assist students in answering questions must be removed or covered.
Students must be seated so they cannot look at each other’s work. This may mean using tabletop participants or physical distance between students.
Place a “TESTING—DO NOT DISTURB” sign on the door or post signs in halls and entrances rerouting hallway traffic.
Prepare a space for unauthorized (personal) electronics that students bring. This items cannot be within reach during testing.

17. During Testing
Provide a quiet environment. No talking or other distractions that might interfere with testing.
Actively supervise and monitor students. Purses and backpacks should be put away. A space outside the reach of students must be provided for unauthorized electronics. Do not allow access to unauthorized devices (e.g., cell phones, iPods, cameras, and electronic translation devices) during testing.
Students may only access and use resources that are permitted for the test, or portion of the test.
No form or type of answer key may be developed for test items.
Only use the approved student interface and secure browser (new version in November 2018) to administer ELPA21.

18. During and After Testing
Teachers and other school staff are not permitted to review student responses in the testing interface or student’s notes on scratch paper.
Staff may not review, discuss, or analyze test items, reading passages, or writing prompts at any time, including before, during, or after testing.
Keep any printed materials such as scratch paper, and test tickets with student information in a secure location.
Test items, reading passages, or writing prompts may not be reproduced or used for instruction.
All secure testing materials must be immediately returned to your School Test Coordinator at the end of each testing session, according to your school’s approved Test Security and Building Plan.

19. Test Security Incidents: Improprieties
Impropriety
Unusual circumstance that has a low impact on the individual or group of students who are testing and has a low risk of potentially affecting student performance on the test, test security, or test validity. (Example: Student(s) leaving the testing room without authorization).

20. Test Security Incidents: Irregularities
Irregularity
An unusual circumstance that impacts an individual or group of students who are testing and may potentially affect student performance on the test, test security, or test validity. These circumstances can be contained at the local level. (Example: Disruption during the test session such as a fire drill or school announcements).

21. Procedures in the Event of a Breach

22. Professional Standards for State Testing
Failure to adhere to these practices will constitute a test irregularity or a breach of test security.
Understand the procedures needed to administer the assessment prior to testing.
Take appropriate test material security precautions before, during, and after the administration of the assessment.
Provide for and document all reasonable and allowable accommodations.
Avoid actions or conditions that would permit or encourage individuals or groups to receive scores that misrepresent students’ actual levels of knowledge.
Avoid any conditions in the administration that might invalidate test results.
Administer state assessments according to prescribed procedures and conditions

23. With a Partner...
Take a few minutes to brainstorm what might be classified as unethical testing practices.

24. Examples of Unethical Testing Practices
Not testing or reclassifying all eligible students to avoid accountability measures
Failing to follow directions specified in all Washington state administration manuals
Coaching students by paraphrasing or providing clues in any way or changing content.
Allowing student access to tools, supports, or accommodations that are not permitted for testing or written into the student’s IEP or 504 plan.

25. More Examples of Unethical Testing Practices
Encouraging a student to answer fewer questions than what is on the assessment.
Editing student responses, causing students to recheck or change their responses.
Leaving students unattended during the testing session.
Modifying student records for the purposes of raising test scores.
Staff accessing non-approved software while administering online state assessment

26. Navigating the Technology
Use the WCAP Portal WCAP Portal to access:
TIDE Register students, review and edit test settings, accommodations, and other important testing information.
RESOURCES Manuals, guides, training modules, and other information
TEST ADMINISTRATION Start student test sessions (summative). Monitor student progress during online tests.
PRACTICE/TRAINING TESTS for students – can be done with or without using the secure browser, but the secure browser is recommended.
Online Reporting System (ORS) Provides student and group test scores and reports

27. Starting a Training Test Session
The TA must create a test session before students can log in to the Student Testing System (but no more than 20 minutes prior or the system will time out).
When a TA creates a test session, a unique session ID is randomly generated. This session ID must be provided to the students before they log in and should be written down.

28. Starting an Annual (secure) Test Session
The TA must create a test session before students can log in to the Student Testing System (but no more than 20 minutes prior or the system will time out).
When a TA creates a test session, a unique session ID is randomly generated. This session ID must be provided to the students before they log in and should be written down.
January 28 to March 22

29. LOGIN TO THE WA PORTAL NOW AND START A TRAINING TEST SESSION
Let’s Try it Now!
LOGIN TO THE WA PORTAL NOW AND START A TRAINING TEST SESSION

30. Practice! Practice! Practice!
All students need to have an opportunity to take the practice test at least one time AT SCHOOL before the actual test. The more the BETTER! (3 to 5 days prior to testing is optimal).
OSPI recommends that test administrators spend time practicing the SPEAKING portion of the training test to ensure students are comfortable with the format and technology.
Districts who spent time familiarizing students with the use of headsets and recordings (for general instruction and learning) found students were more comfortable utilizing these features on the assessment.

31. Self Paced Learning Time
All buildings need to turn in a training checklist that is initialed and signed
Work with a partner to practice creating a training test and to practice logging in as a student on your own
Send s to Special Ed teacher and SC to coordinate meeting times
Start working on test schedules
Familiarize yourself with the test administration booklet
Need more time and support?

32. ELPA21 Links OSPI ELPA21 webpage: www.k12.wa.us/ELPA21/default.aspx
WCAP Portal:
Training Test: wa.portal.airast.org/training-tests/
ELPA21 Consortium Webpage:
ELPA21 Newsletter:
State Accommodations Guidelines: Support-or-Accommodations.pdf
Summative Test Directions (Updates coming late December 2018): ug-elpa21/
Parent Guide Available (English/Spanish):