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ELL Assessments

Under No Child Left Behind (NCLB), states are required to assess the proficiency of all English Language Learner (ELL) students.  According to Title III under NCLB, states are to measure the annual growth of an ELL student's English development in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

ELDA - English Language Development Assessment

2011 ELDA Test Window - February 14 - March 25, 2011

ELDA is an untimed assessment. It is given in grade clusters (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) and consists of four subtests – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.  The testing window for ELDA is normally during the month of March with scores returned in June. 

ELDA is scored with a score ranging from 1 to 5 (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest).  Students who obtain a composite score of 4 or 5 become a Transitional student (T1).  No accommodations are allowed because it tests proficiency. It does not affect AYP.

ELSA - English Linguistically Simplified Assessment

ELSA is an accommodated version of the TCAP Achievement Test available during Spring TCAP Achievement testing. It is intended for English Language Learner (ELL) students who are not T1 or T2.  The content areas tested on TCAP ELSA are Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.  Test questions are the same as ACH test questions but feature simplified language to reduce linguistic barriers.  Allowable ELL accommodations can be given to students taking the ELSA.

The table below contains links to the Item Samplers & Practice Tests listed by subject and grade level for the Spring TCAP ELSA Test. 

ELSA Item Samplers & Practice Tests
Item Sampler Practice Test
Grade 3download pdf file Grade 3download pdf file
Grade 4download pdf file Grade 4download pdf file
Grade 5download pdf file Grade 5download pdf file
Grade 6download pdf file Grade 6download pdf file
Grade 7download pdf file Grade 7download pdf file
Grade 8download pdf file Grade 8download pdf file