What is the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) test?
ELPA is Oregon’s English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) and includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking items. There is an ELPA Summative and ELPA Screener assessment. The ELPA Screener is used to identify students potentially eligible for ESL services and an ELPA Summative assessment for students already identified for ESL services. The ELPA Summative is used to monitor student progress in learning English and to exit students from ESL services.
Who takes it?
The screener is taken by students who are potential English Language Learners and have not previously been screened.
Any student who qualifies for ESL services or has exited ESL at some point during the school year take the ELPA Summative.
What does it measure?
The ELPA assessments are based upon the Oregon English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards and measures four language domains: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These domains are also known as reading comprehension, written production, listening comprehension, and oral production skills.
When is it administered?
The ELPA Screener is administered within 10 days of students entering PPS and being identified as potential English Language Learners.
ELPA Summative is administered between January and April each year. Students have one opportunity each year until exiting ESL.
View the district testing calendar for the current year's testing windows.
How is it administered?
- The assessments are administered to students through the online system called OSAS Portal. This is the same online system used for other Oregon tests such as science and English language arts and mathematics tests.
- Estimated time to take the test:
- Grades K - 1: 1 hour
- Grades 2 - 3: 1.5 hours
- Grades 6 - 8: 3.25 hours
- Grades 9 - 12: 4 hours
What do my child's scores mean?
Students taking the ELPA Summative assessment will receive scores and achievement levels in up to 4 domains: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Some students may be exempt from some domains if indicated on an IEP or 504 plan. For more information about what a particular domain level and score means, follow this . Looking at the top of each page, find the grade level that your student was in when they took the ELPA test you are reviewing. Then, in the column headings find the domain and the level or score range of interest. The description for your student's achievement is shown in that section of the report.
In addition to the domain results, students will also receive an overall English proficiency level (but there is not a composite score). Overall levels and Emerging (Level 1), Progressing (Level 2), and Proficient (Level 3). Students who score at the Proficient level are ready to exit from ESL services.
How are the results used?
Screener results are used to determine whether students should receive ESL services.
Summative test results are used to measure English proficiency of students and determine if a student is ready to exit the ESL Program. Results are also used for state and federal accountability purposes.
Results are mailed to families once a year, late summer or early fall. Teachers may also share results with families during parent conferences and other meetings.
Who requires it?
State required. Students in kindergarten through grade twelve who are eligible for ESL services are required by federal and Oregon state law to be assessed in English language proficiency. In Oregon, the English language proficiency assessment is the ELPA Summative.
What if I want to know more about this assessment?
I'm a parent/guardian. Who do I contact with questions about this assessment?
Contact your students English Language Development teacher if you have questions about ELPA Summative.
