Mixed Deck — All ELPA21 Topics Flashcards

What type of question would you expect in an ELPA21 task that integrates reading and listening?

Answer: Listen to a story and then read a related article to answer questions

An ELPA21 task integrating reading and listening would typically involve students processing information from both modalities to complete a task. For example, students might listen to a story or lecture and then read a related article or set of questions to formulate their answers. This requires them to synthesize information from both auditory and textual sources to demonstrate comprehensive understanding.

How might the ELPA21 integrate writing and speaking skills?

Answer: By having students write a letter and then present it in a speech

The ELPA21 integrates writing and speaking skills by having students first compose a written piece and then verbally present or discuss it. An example would be writing a letter or a report and then delivering it as a speech or presentation. This type of task assesses a student's ability to organize thoughts in writing and then articulate those ideas effectively through spoken language.

What must test administrators do with all test materials and secure documents after an ELPA21 testing session ends?

Answer: Return them to the test coordinator immediately following all secure material handling procedures

Secure test materials must be immediately returned to the test coordinator and handled according to the district's secure materials protocol to protect test integrity.

Which of the following statements best describes a key difference in the administration timeline between the ELPA21 Screener and the ELPA21 Summative assessment?

Answer: The Screener is administered year-round as new students enroll, while the Summative is given during a specific annual window.

The ELPA21 Dynamic Screener is available for administration throughout the year to accommodate new students as they enroll. In contrast, the ELPA21 Summative assessment is administered once a year during a specific testing window, typically in the late winter or spring.

What is the purpose of conducting a technology readiness check before ELPA21 testing begins?

Answer: To verify that all devices, audio equipment, and internet connectivity meet the minimum testing requirements

A technology readiness check ensures testing devices and network connections meet ELPA21 system requirements before the official test window opens.

What do ELPA21 Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) primarily describe?

Answer: Observable language behaviors ELLs demonstrate at each proficiency level

PLDs describe what ELLs can do with language—observable, measurable behaviors across domains at each proficiency level.

The English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards on which the ELPA21 is based are designed to work in tandem with state academic content standards (e.g., for ELA, Math, Science). What is the primary implication of this correspondence?

Answer: Language acquisition should be integrated into content area instruction, as the standards highlight the language necessary for success in those subjects.

The ELP Standards are explicitly designed to correspond to college- and career-ready content standards to show the language demands inherent in those subjects. This design implies that language and content should not be taught in isolation. Instead, effective instruction for English learners involves teaching the language they need to access, process, and express their understanding of grade-level academic material. The standards provide a roadmap for how to do this.

A teacher is explaining ELPA21 results to a parent. The student's profile is Listening-5, Reading-5, Speaking-4, and Writing-4. Which statement would be the most accurate explanation of this result?

Answer: The student is 'Proficient' because they scored a Level 4 or higher in all four domains.

The rule for achieving a 'Proficient' determination on the ELPA21 Summative assessment is to score a Level 4 or Level 5 in all four domains. This student's profile meets this criterion, making them Proficient.

What is the primary purpose of the ELPA21?

Answer: To evaluate English language proficiency

The ELPA21 (English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century) is specifically designed to measure the English language proficiency of students. Its primary purpose is to determine how well English language learners (ELLs) can understand and use English in academic settings. This assessment helps schools identify students' language needs and track their progress.

Which of the following BEST describes how ELPA21 determines a student's overall proficiency status (e.g., Emerging, Progressing, Proficient)?

Answer: By analyzing the specific combination of performance levels across the four domains, known as a profile.

ELPA21 does not average scores but uses a 'profile' approach. The overall proficiency determination is made by looking at the combination of the student's performance levels (1-5) in all four domains (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing).

What is the role of a Test Coordinator during the ELPA21 administration cycle?

Answer: Overseeing test scheduling, material security, accommodation implementation, and score submission processes

The Test Coordinator manages the logistics of ELPA21 administration, including scheduling, security of materials, accommodation oversight, and submission of data to the state.

A student is presented with a webpage about recycling that includes a bar graph showing the percentage of different materials recycled in a city. To understand the main point of the graph, the student must primarily use which reading skill?

Answer: Analyzing and interpreting information from graphics and text features

The ELPA21 Reading domain assesses a student's ability to interpret information presented visually, such as in graphs, charts, and diagrams, and connect it to the main text. This skill is crucial for comprehending informational texts across content areas.

Which of the following skills is NOT directly assessed by the ELPA21 Listening test?

Answer: Writing summaries of spoken text

The ELPA21 Listening test primarily assesses receptive language skills, such as identifying main ideas, recognizing supporting details, and understanding a speaker's tone. Writing summaries of spoken text, however, is a productive language skill that involves generating written output. This skill is typically assessed in the Writing section of the ELPA21, not directly in the Listening test.

According to the ELPA21 Achievement Level Descriptors, a student at an intermediate level of writing proficiency (e.g., Level 3) would typically be working on which of the following skills?

Answer: Producing and expanding simple and compound sentences to compose brief texts.

The ELPA21 Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) outline skills at each proficiency level. At Level 3 (Intermediate), students are moving beyond single words and phrases to connect ideas, which involves producing and expanding simple and compound sentences and composing short texts on familiar topics. Recognizing a few nouns (Level 1/2) is too basic, while analyzing arguments and figurative language (Level 4/5) is more advanced.

What does the term "context clues" refer to in reading comprehension?

Answer: Words or phrases that help define the meaning of an unfamiliar word

Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words. These clues can include synonyms, antonyms, definitions, examples, or explanations provided nearby. By analyzing the surrounding text, readers can infer the meaning of challenging vocabulary without needing a dictionary.

Which grade-level clusters are used to organize ELPA21 Proficiency Level Descriptors?

Answer: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

ELPA21 organizes PLDs into four grade-band clusters: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

What does it mean when a student receives a 'not reportable' (NR) score on an ELPA21 domain?

Answer: The student did not provide enough responses for the domain score to be calculated reliably

An NR designation means insufficient responses were collected to generate a reliable domain score for that student.

Which of the following describes a key feature of the Writing domain within the ELPA21 assessment system?

Answer: It assesses a student's ability to adapt language for different purposes and audiences.

The ELPA21 framework assesses how students use language to accomplish tasks. A key writing skill is adapting language choices to suit the specific purpose (e.g., to inform, to persuade), task, and audience. While grammar and spelling are components, the assessment focuses more broadly on effective communication for academic purposes. Writing is a 'productive' modality, and scoring is centralized, not done by the local teacher.

An educator is reviewing the Individual Student Report for an English learner. The report shows a 'Proficient' determination. According to ELPA21 guidelines, this indicates that the student has attained the English skills necessary to do what?

Answer: Independently engage in and succeed in grade-level academic tasks.

The 'Proficient' determination signifies that a student has demonstrated the level of English language skill needed to independently produce, interpret, collaborate on, and succeed in grade-level academic content-related tasks. This is the threshold for being considered for reclassification.

How do ELPA21 PLDs represent student progress from Level 1 to Level 5?

Answer: The levels show a continuum of increasing language complexity and learner independence

ELPA21 PLDs represent a developmental continuum where language complexity, academic vocabulary, and learner independence all increase from Level 1 to Level 5.