OELPA OELPA Academic Language

Question 1

What is 'academic language' in the context of the OELPA?

Accepted Answer

The specialized vocabulary, grammar, and discourse patterns used in school settings across content areas

Answer

Language used only in math class

Answer

Informal slang used by students on the playground

Answer

Any language spoken by a certified teacher

Question 2

Which term best describes words like 'analyze,' 'evaluate,' and 'synthesize' that appear across all content areas?

Accepted Answer

Tier 2 academic vocabulary (cross-curricular)

Answer

Tier 1 basic vocabulary

Answer

Tier 3 technical vocabulary

Answer

Informal conversational vocabulary

Question 3

Why does the OELPA assess academic language proficiency in addition to social language proficiency?

Accepted Answer

Because academic language proficiency is essential for accessing content-area instruction and achieving academic success

Answer

Because social language has no value in school

Answer

To make the test longer and harder

Answer

Because Ohio law requires testing only academic language

Question 4

Which sentence best demonstrates the use of academic language appropriate for a middle school OELPA response?

Accepted Answer

'The policy had a significant negative impact on the economy because it reduced trade opportunities.'

Answer

'It was really bad and stuff.'

Answer

'I don't like it. It's bad.'

Answer

'Yeah that thing is not good for people obviously.'

Question 5

On the OELPA, which language function involves a student explaining the steps of a science experiment?

Accepted Answer

Sequencing and explaining a process

Answer

Persuading

Answer

Comparing and contrasting

Answer

Expressing opinions

Question 6

What is 'text complexity' as it relates to OELPA academic language tasks?

Accepted Answer

The combination of quantitative difficulty, qualitative features, and reader-task demands that determine how challenging a text is to read and understand

Answer

How long a text is in terms of total word count

Answer

Whether the text uses pictures or diagrams

Answer

The number of paragraphs in the text