Student Assessment Updates for 2021
Here you will find updates regarding ELPA 21 testing for English Language Learners and information about the Smarter Balanced Assessment required by the state of Washington.
English Language Proficiency Assessment
The English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA21) is required of all students for whom English is not their first language and who are in the process of learning English. The assessment measures students' English language knowledge and skills in writing, reading, listening, and speaking. The results of the assessment determine which students are eligible to continue receiving English Language Development services.
In Sunnyside School District, ELPA21 testing began on March 22 and will continue over the course of the next few months.
Smarter Balanced Assessment
Update April 22, 2021
Last week, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced that OSPI would not administer the Smarter Balanced Assessment or Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science this spring. Instead, the testing window would move to the fall.
According to Reykdal, this change still falls within the guidelines provided by the Department of Education to satisfy federal testing requirements. Originally, OSPI had submitted a waiver application to reduce the number of students to be tested this spring, but felt there was little flexibility in the response from the Department of Education.
Chris Anderson, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment says this means that Sunnyside can focus on completing the ELPA21 Assessment and buildings can focus their attention on bringing students back to buildings. We will continue to monitor information from OSPI and plan as necessary for a fall assessment window when we have more details.
Check out the Fall 2021 Assessment Fact Sheet provided by the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction.
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Update March 25, 2021
The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) is the testing system used in Washington state to assess students' knowledge and skills in English Language Arts and Mathematics as they align to the Common Core standards. In normal times, students in grades 1-8 and 10 test, but due to COVID-19, testing was not done for 2020, and there are many unknowns for the 2021 school year.
The Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) plans to submit a waiver to the federal government that would reduce the number of students required to take the assessment. When the Sunnyside School District receives information about what this means for our students, we will share it with families.