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
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. 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.
| Item Sampler | Practice Test |
|---|---|
Grade 3 |
Grade 3 |
| Grade 4 |
Grade 4 |
| Grade 5 |
Grade 5 |
| Grade 6 |
Grade 6 |
| Grade 7 |
Grade 7 |
| Grade 8 |
Grade 8 |
| Item Sampler | Practice Test |
|---|---|
| Grade 3 |
Grade 3 |
| Grade 4 |
Grade 4 |
| Grade 5 |
Grade 5 |
| Grade 6 |
Grade 6 |
| Grade 7 |
Grade 7 |
Estimated Performance Level Cut Scores for State Practice Tests
The performance level cut scores in the link below are estimates provided by our testing vendor based on historical performance level cut scores from previously administered assessments. The overlap in the scores is intentional and meant to emphasize that these are simply ranges of scores meant to serve as general indicators for teachers related to the performance of their students in preparation for actual assessment administration.
Estimated Cut Scores for TCAP ACH/ELSA Practice Tests
Governor Bill Haslam
