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 Proficiency Scale and Cut Scores
- How to Read the EL70 - AZELLA Student History Report
- How to Read the EL72 - AZELLA Roster Report
- How to Read the EL73 - EL Student Need Report
- Guide to Navigating and Using AZELLA Reports updated 5/01/2019
- Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS)
- Home Language Survey - English
- Home Language Survey – Spanish
- Identifying and Supporting English Learners with Disabilities 2019 - Revised Aug-2019
AZELLA District Test Coordinators Information
- SPEAKING Rubrics for Stages I-V (PDF)
- WRITING Rubric for Stages I-V (PDF)
- Introduction to the Stages III-V Sample Tests (PP)
- Introduction to the Stages I-III Anchor Sets (PP)
- Introduction to the Stages IV-V Anchor Sets (PP)
Grades 2-3 Sample Test
- Grades 2-3 Sample Test User's Guide NEW (11-25-2020) (PDF)
Stage I Sample Test
- Stage I Sample Test Book (Rev. 1-31-18) (PDF)
- Stage I Teacher's Edition (Rev. 1-30-18) (PDF)
- Stage I Writing Anchor Set Q-7 (PDF)
- Stage I Writing Anchor Set Q-8 (PDF)
Stage II Sample Test
- Stage II Sample Test Book (Rev. 2-12-18) (PDF)
- Stage II Teacher's Edition (Rev. 2-12-18) (PDF)
- Stage II Writing Anchor Set Q-17 (PDF)
Stage III Sample Test
Online Sample Test
- Online Sample Test You need to download the TestNav application to your computer or electronic device. Once this has been downloaded and set-up, open the application and then select the Mic Check & Sample Tests link. A Username and Password is not required for the Online Sample Test.
- User's Guide
Paper Sample Test
- Stage III Sample Test Book (PDF)
- Stage III Answer Document (PDF)
- Stage III Teacher's Edition (PDF)
- Stage III Writing Anchor Set Q-14 (PDF)
- Stage III Writing Anchor Set Q-15 (PDF)
Stage IV Sample Test
Online Sample Test
- Online Sample Test You need to download the TestNav application to your computer or electronic device. Once this has been downloaded and set-up, open the application and then select the Mic Check & Sample Tests link. A Username and Password is not required for the Online Sample Test.
- User's Guide
Paper Sample Test
- Stage IV Sample Test Book (PDF)
- Stage IV Answer Document (PDF)
- Stage IV Teacher's Edition (PDF)
- Stage IV Writing Anchor Set Q-13 (PDF)
- Stage IV Writing Anchor Set Q-14 (PDF)
Stage V Sample Test
Online Sample Test
- Online Sample Test You need to download the TestNav application to your computer or electronic device. Once this has been downloaded and set-up, open the application and then select the Mic Check & Sample Tests link. A Username and Password is not required for the Online Sample Test.
- User's Guide
Paper Sample Test
Blueprints
- AZELLA Blueprint (PDF)
Item Type Templates
- AZELLA Item Types (PP) (PELL 05/01/2015)
Threshold Performance Level Indicators (PLDs)
- AZELLA Stage I Threshold PLDs (PDF)
- AZELLA Stage II Threshold PLDs (PDF)
- AZELLA Stage III Threshold PLDs (PDF)
- AZELLA Stage IV Threshold PLDs (PDF)
- AZELLA Stage V Threshold PLDs (PDF)
AZELLA Item Specifications
- AZELLA Stage I Item Specifications (Spring 2012 and 2013) (PDF)
- AZELLA Stage II Item Specifications (Fall 2011 and Spring 2013) (PDF)
- AZELLA Stage III Item Specifications (Fall 2011 and Spring 2013) (PDF)
- AZELLA Stage IV Item Specifications (Fall 2011 and Spring 2013) (PDF)
- AZELLA Stage V Item Specifications (Fall 2011 and Spring 2013) (PDF)
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. 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
Raquel Payton ELL Assessment Development Coordinator 602.542.5031
Brenda Vanderwerp AZELLA State Test Coordinator 602.542.5031
