AZELLA Assessment

The Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) is a standards-based assessment that meets both state and federal requirements to measure students’ English language proficiency. AZELLA is used for both placement and reassessment purposes. Students who have been identified as second language learners on the Home Language Survey take the AZELLA placement test, and the students’ proficiency scores determine appropriate placement for instruction. Students who have been placed into an English language learner program will also take the AZELLA reassessment once per year until they achieve proficiency. Students who have scored proficient on the AZELLA are then monitored for two years to help ensure success after their move into a mainstream classroom.

Presentations

 

Support Materials

 

AZELLA District Test Coordinators Information

Alt ELPA Information

The AZELLA Sample Tests are aligned to the 2019 English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS).

Kindergarten

 

Grade 1

 

Grades 2-3

 

Grades 4-12

 

Available in TestNav

Arizona Online Sample Tests and Assessment Tutorials

AZELLA Sample Tests

 

August 26, 2022 Webinar

New AZELLA Sample Tests Recorded Webinar - Video recording - August 26, 2022

New AZELLA Sample Tests PowerPoint Presentation - August 26, 2022 (PDF)

New AZELLA Sample Tests FAQs - August 26, 2022 (PDF)

Blueprints

  • AZELLA Blueprint (PDF) (Fall 2023)

 

Performance Level Indicators (PLDs)

  • AZELLA Kindergarten PLDs (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grade 1 PLDs (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grades 2-3 PLDs (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grades 4-5 PLDs  (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grades 6-8 PLDs  (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grades 9-12 PLDs  (PDF) (Fall 2023)

 

AZELLA Item Specifications

  • AZELLA Kindergarten Item Specifications (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grade 1 Item Specifications (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grades 2-3 Item Specifications (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grades 4-5 Item Specifications  (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grades 6-8 Item Specifications  (PDF) (Fall 2023)
  • AZELLA Grades 9-12 Item Specifications  (PDF) (Fall 2023)

ALTELLA - Alternate English Language Learning Assessment Project

Alternate English Language Learning Assessment Project Flyer - 9-28-17

ALTELLA Reports

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)

ALTELLA Briefs

ALTELLA Brief No. 1: Establishing a Definition of English Learners With Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)

ALTELLA Brief No. 2: Considerations for Educators Serving English Learners With Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)

ALTELLA Brief No. 3: Nonverbal Communication in Diverse Classrooms: Intercultural Competence Considerations for Supporting English Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)

ALTELLA Brief No. 4: Individualized Education Programs for English Learners With Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)

ALTELLA Brief No. 5: A Framework for Understanding English Learners With Disabilities: Triple the Work (PDF)

ALTELLA Brief No. 6: Case Examples of English Learners With Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)

Conference Presentations

ALTELLA Findings (SCASS, October 16, 2018)

Meeting ESSA Regulation Requirements and Supporting Students on Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessments (PDF) (NCSA, San Diego, Wednesday, June 27, 2018)

What Do We Know about Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Who Are English Learners? (PDF) (NCSA, San Diego, Thursday, June 28, 2018)

Implementing ESSA for English Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities: Lessons We Are Learning from ALTELLA (PDF) (NCSA, San Diego, Thursday, June 28, 2018)

For questions pertaining to test administration, please contact The AZELLA Team by emailing the AZELLA inbox. [email protected] 

Gabriela Finn | Director of English Language Learner Assessments 602.542.5031

Rose Alvarez | English Learner Assessment Development Coordinator 602.542.5031

Brenda Vanderwerp | AZELLA State Test Coordinator 602.542.5031

Sandra Guthrie | AZELLA Program Project Specialist 602.542.5031