Skip to main content
mobile menu
Arizona Department of Education Homepage
  • SY 2022-2023
  • Home
  • Students & Families
    • Adult Education
    • Early Childhood & Preschool
    • Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)
    • Parents & Families
    • School Report Cards
    • Transcripts & Test Scores
  • Educators
    • Academic Standards
    • Assessment
    • Career & Technical Education
    • Certification & Career
    • Post-Secondary & ECAP
    • Public Educator Search
    • Support & Improvement Resources
    • Training & Professional Development
  • Administrators
    • Accountability
    • School & Student Data
    • School Finance
    • School Support & Improvement
    • State & Federal Grants
    • Training & Conferences
  • Programs & Supports
    • Afterschool & 21st Century Learning Centers
    • Educator and School Excellence
    • English Learners | OELAS & Migrant Education Program
    • Gifted & Advanced Learning
    • Health & Nutrition Services
    • Homeless, Foster Care, & Refugee Programs
    • Information Technology
    • Office of Digital Teaching & Learning
    • Office of Indian Education
    • School Safety & Social Wellness
    • Special Education
  • About ADE
    • About the Department
    • News Releases
    • Contact Us
    • Critical Race Theory Explained
    • Data Governance
    • Events
    • State Board of Education
    • State Board for Charter Schools
    • Submit a Complaint
  • ADEConnect
    • ADEConnect
    • Common Logon
  • Search
  • Home
  • Assessments
  • AZELLA Assessment

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

  • The Inside Story: AZELLA Development (2013) - pdf

 

Support Materials

  • AZELLA Proficiency Scale and Cut Scores
  • How to Read the EL70 - AZELLA Student History Report Updated 8/09/2021
  • How to Read the EL72 - AZELLA Roster Report Updated 8/09/2021
  • How to Read the EL73 - EL Student Need Report Updated 8/09/2021
  • Guide to Navigating and Using AZELLA Reports [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

  • District Test Coordinators

The new AZELLA Sample Tests are aligned to the new AZELLA tests beginning with the Spring 2023 Reassessment Test.

The new AZELLA Reassessment test is aligned to the 2019 English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS).

 

Kindergarten

  • AZELLA Kindergarten Sample Test Book
  • AZELLA Kindergarten Sample Test Audio Files
    • AZELLA Sample Test Audio Grade K Unit 1
    • AZELLA Sample Test Audio Grade K Unit 5
  • AZELLA Kindergarten Sample Test Teacher's Edition

 

Grade 1

  • AZELLA Grade 1 Sample Test Book
  • AZELLA Grade 1 Sample Test Audio Files
    • AZELLA Sample Test Audio Grade 1 Unit 1
    • AZELLA Sample Test Audio Grade 1 Unit 4
    • AZELLA Sample Test Audio Grade 1 Unit 5
  • AZELLA Grade 1 Sample Test Teacher's Edition

 

Grades 2-3

  • AZELLA Grades 2-3 Writing Extended Response Sample Test Book Unit 4
  • AZELLA Grades 2-3 Sample Test Audio Files
    • AZELLA Sample Test Audio Grades 2-3 Unit 4
  • AZELLA Grades 2-3 Sample Test Teacher's Edition

 

Grades 4-12

  • AZELLA Grades 4-12 Sample Test Teacher's Edition
  • Sample Tests are available in TestNav

 

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)

 

2022-2023 AZELLA PLACEMENT Sample Tests

The following Sample Tests are associated with the 2022-2023 School Year AZELLA PLACEMENT TESTS.

These are NOT associated with the new Spring 2023 AZELLA Reassessment Test.

 

  • 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)

 

There is no AZELLA Kindergarten Placement Test Sample Test.

 

Stage II Sample Test - 2022-2023 AZELLA PLACEMENT Test

  • Stage II Sample Test Book (Rev. 1-24-22) (PDF)

  • Stage II Teacher's Edition (Rev. 2-12-18) (PDF)

  • Stage II Writing Anchor Set Q-17 (PDF)

 

Stage III Sample Test - 2022-2023 AZELLA PLACEMENT 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 - 2022-2023 AZELLA PLACEMENT 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 - 2022-2023 AZELLA PLACEMENT 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 V Sample Test Book (PDF)

  • Stage V Answer Document (PDF)

  • Stage V Teacher's Edition (PDF)

  • Stage V Writing Anchor Set Q-20 (PDF)

  • Stage V Writing Anchor Set Q-21 (PDF)

Blueprints

  • AZELLA Blueprint (PDF)

 

Item Type Templates

  • AZELLA Item Types (PP) (PELL 05/01/2015)

 

Threshold Performance Level Indicators (PLDs)

  • 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 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. 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 Alavarez | 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

  • Accessibility
  • Assessments
    • AASA
    • AzSCI
    • ACT / ACT Aspire
    • AZELLA
    • MSAA
    • NAEP
    • International Assessments
  • Assessments Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Featured Speakers
    • Schedule, Sessions, and Guidebook
  • District Test Coordinators
    • Achievement DTCs
    • Alternate Assessments DTCs
    • AZELLA DTCs
  • Educator Resources
  • Parents and Students
  • Technical and Legal Resources

Contact

  • Testing Inbox
  • (602) 542-5031
  • [email protected]
  • AASA Inbox
  • [email protected]
  • AZELLA Inbox
  • [email protected]
  • AzSCI Inbox
  • [email protected]
  • Alternate Assessment Inbox
  • [email protected]
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Certification
  • Language / Lenguaje
  • Privacy Policy
  • School Report Cards
  • State Board of Education
  • State Board for Charter Schools
  • Web Accessibility

© 2023 Arizona Department of Education

Social Links

Arizona Department of Education Twitter
Arizona Department of Education Facebook Page
  • Statewide Policies
  • Site Map