Annual English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment
Federal and state laws require that students identified as English Learners (ELs) be assessed annually to determine their level of English language proficiency (ELP) and ensure that they are progressing in achieving full English proficiency. This includes students who receive special education services.
In addition to meeting these statutory accountability requirements, the annual ELP assessment can be effectively used for planning and instructional purposes. It serves as the single most psychometrically valid and reliable measure of a student’s ELP. All English Learners will take one of following ACCESS for ELLs assessments each year:
- ACCESS for ELLS (paper or online): Students in kindergarten will take the paper version, and students in grades 1-12 will take the online version
- Alternate ACCESS for ELLS (paper): This version is for eligible students in grades 1-12 with significant cognitive disabilities.
For more information, click on the following link: Wisconsin DPI ACCESS for ELLS Webpage
Academic Content Assessments
Wisconsin requires the Forward, ACT Aspire, and ACT (or DLM for students with severe cognitive delays) assessments to be administered for all students. ELs must be given meaningful supports to enable them to participate in these assessments. The availability of these supports need to be communicated to teachers, parents, and students. ELs must be encouraged to use the supports which will best allow them to demonstrate what they know and can do.Newcomers (Recently Arrived ELs) are allowed a one-time exemption from the ELA section of any mandatory statewide assessment but are required to take other content area state assessments.
For more information, see the DPI EL Handbook Chapter 07.
