English Language Proficiency Assessments
ELP Assessments Office Hour
2025-26 Weekly Office Hours (August 4, 2025 - June 29, 2026)
There is no office hour on Monday, November 10. Office hours will return on Monday, November 17.
Join OSPI staff on Mondays at noon for weekly discussions about ELP assessment test administration. This is an opportunity for district staff managing ELP assessments to learn, collaborate, and ask questions.
- 2025-26 Key Topics Schedule
- (August - December 2025)
Contact Information
Sharon Coward
English Language Proficiency Assessment Coordinator564-669-4777
OSPI¡¯s English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment program oversees and manages all ELP assessments in Washington. This includes both ELP placement assessments and ELP annual assessments. ?
Washington utilizes the , which are based on the WIDA . Measuring the four language domains of listening, reading, speaking, and writing, the WIDA assessments fulfill federal requirements to screen students for potential ELD services and annually assess the English language proficiency of Multilingual Learners (MLs)
ELP Placement Assessment
Washington uses the WIDA Screener assessments as English Language Proficiency (ELP) placement tests. Students are administered the WIDA Screener when their 51Âé¶¹ Language Survey (HLS) indicates a language other than English on Questions 2 and 3 of the survey. State law requires that schools screen potential ML students within ten school days of their first day of school attendance. Screener results determine eligibility for English Language Development (ELD) services based on Washington¡¯s entrance criteria.
ELP Annual Assessments
Washington uses the WIDA ACCESS assessments as English Language Proficiency (ELP) annual tests. All Multilingual Learners (ML) who receive English Language Development (ELD) services must take these assessments each winter. These annual assessments measure English language proficiency in the four language domains of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Results from this test determine eligibility for continued ELD services.?
ELP Assessment Timeline in Washington
| Year | ELP Annual Assessment |
|---|---|
| 2008-2011 | WLPT2 |
| 2012-2015 | WELPA |
| 2016-2021 | ELPA21 |
| 2021-Current | WIDA ACCESS |