ELPAC Proficiency Level Descriptors 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many English language proficiency levels does the ELPAC use to classify students?
- 3
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 6
Correct answer: 4
The ELPAC classifies students into 4 proficiency levels: Emerging, Expanding, Bridging, and Reaching.
Question 2: What is the name of the lowest ELPAC proficiency level?
- Developing
- Beginning
- Emerging (Correct answer)
- Introductory
Correct answer: Emerging
Emerging is the lowest of the four ELPAC proficiency levels, indicating students are at the earliest stages of English language development.
Question 3: Students at the Emerging proficiency level typically demonstrate which characteristic?
- Independent use of complex academic language
- Reliance on visual and contextual supports to understand English (Correct answer)
- Ability to engage in extended academic discussions
- Proficiency across all four language domains
Correct answer: Reliance on visual and contextual supports to understand English
Emerging-level students rely heavily on visual and contextual supports as they are at the beginning stages of English language acquisition.
Question 4: Which ELPAC proficiency level describes students who have moved beyond initial acquisition but still need considerable support?
- Reaching
- Bridging
- Emerging
- Expanding (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Expanding
The Expanding level describes students who have moved beyond the initial stages and are developing a greater command of English, though they still need significant support.
Question 5: What is the highest ELPAC proficiency level?
- Bridging
- Advanced
- Reaching (Correct answer)
- Proficient
Correct answer: Reaching
Reaching is the highest of the four ELPAC proficiency levels, indicating students are nearing or have achieved full English proficiency.
Question 6: At which ELPAC proficiency level are students able to engage in complex, abstract academic tasks with minimal support?
- Emerging
- Expanding
- Bridging
- Reaching (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Reaching
Students at the Reaching level demonstrate near-proficient or proficient English language skills, enabling them to engage in complex academic tasks with minimal support.
Question 7: The Bridging proficiency level in ELPAC indicates that a student is:
- Just beginning to acquire English
- Moving toward full English proficiency with decreasing support needs (Correct answer)
- Unable to access grade-level content without intensive help
- Fully fluent in all academic language domains without any support
Correct answer: Moving toward full English proficiency with decreasing support needs
The Bridging level indicates students are transitioning toward full English language proficiency and require decreasing levels of support to access grade-level content.
ELPAC Proficiency Level Descriptors 1
How many English language proficiency levels does the ELPAC use to classify students?