Alt ELPA
The Alt ELPA is an alternate English language proficiency assessment designed for English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The assessment was developed under a federal grant with partners from the Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at UCLA and nine other states.
Students must be determined eligible for alternate assessment by the IEP team. More information on eligibility determination is available on the MSAA website. Eligible students in Grades K-12 will take the reassessment in late winter.
The Alt ELPA takes into consideration the diverse communication experiences of English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The alternate ELP standards support these students as they learn critical English language knowledge, skills, and communicative competence. Guided by these standards, the Alt ELPA equips educators to support students in gaining English proficiency and ultimately becoming college- and career-ready.
Information and updates related to the Alt ELPA Summative assessment will be available on the ELPA21 website.
Registering Students (Alt ELPA Screener)
ADE uploads all eligible students directly into TIDE. District Test Coordinators will need to submit the Alt ELPA Screener Request Webform to add eligible students for the Alt ELPA Screener. Students must have been determined by the IEP team to be eligible for alternate assessments and have one of the following requirements: the Home Language Survey (HLS) indicating a language other than English, sign language other than ASL, or missing an English language proficiency test.
Alt ELPA Screener Request Webform
2024-25 Alt ELPA Screener Test Administration Manual
Alt ELPA Screener
August 4 - May 8, 2026
Alt ELPA Screener Request Webform
Alt ELPA Summative
January 26, 2026 - March 13, 2026
- 2024-25 Arizona State Specific Policy Guidance for Alternate Assessment
- Alt ELPA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual
- 2024-25 Alt ELPA Screener Test Administration Manual
Information and updates related to the Alt ELPA summative assessment will be available on the ELPA21 website.
Alt ELPA Reports
The Alt ELPA Individual Student Reports from the Spring 2025 administration are now available. Hard copies were sent to the District of Attendance (DOA). There are two copies of this individual student report (ISR); one copy of the report is to be sent home to parents/guardians and the other copy is for the confidential student file.
1. Reports are accessed through the Cambium Reporting Portal.
2. Returning DTCs will log in with the same credentials used during administration.
3. Click “District View” and select your district.
4. On the right-hand side, in the Features and Tools menu, click “Download Student Results”, “Individual Student Reports” and the designated schools’ reports (select up to three schools).
The Reporting System User Manual is available for step-by-step directions for accessing the different types of reports.
Alt ELPA Spring 2025 Reports Letter to DTCs
Alt ELPA Sample Student Report
- Alt ELPA Eligibility Determination
- Alt ELPA Observation Form (Microsoft Forms)
- Alt ELPA Protocol Form
- Alt ELPA Observation Form (printable copy for personal use)
- Theory of Action
- Alt ELPA - Alternate English Language Learning Assessment Project
- Understanding Alt ELPA Student Reports- A Quick Guide for Educators
- Characteristics of English Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities: Findings from the Individual Characteristics Questionnaire (PDF
- Classroom Perspectives on English Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)
- Developing a Request for Proposals for an Alternate Assessment of English Language Proficiency (PDF)
- Developing Item Templates for Alternate Assessments of English Language Proficiency (PDF)
- Standards Prioritization Process Evaluation (PDF)
- ELP Standards for English Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)
Brief No. 5: A Framework for Understanding English Learners with Disabilities: Triple the Work (PDF)
Brief No. 6: Case Examples of English Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)
