ELPA21 Proficiency Level Descriptors

Question 1

How many proficiency levels are described in the ELPA21 Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs)?

Accepted Answer

5 levels

Answer

ELPA21 uses five proficiency levels (1 through 5) to describe the continuum of English language development.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Observable language behaviors ELLs demonstrate at each proficiency level

Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 4

A student performing at ELPA21 Level 1 most likely demonstrates which characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Emerging English skills with heavy reliance on contextual and visual support

Answer

Level 1 is the beginning proficiency level where students have emerging English skills and require substantial visual and contextual support.

Question 5

At ELPA21 Level 5, students are expected to demonstrate which language characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Performance approaching that of proficient English-speaking peers on grade-level content

Answer

Level 5 represents the highest proficiency, where students perform close to their English-proficient peers across academic contexts.

ELPA21 - English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century Practice Test