EdConnection

EdConnection

Resources available to prepare for the new Alt-OELPA

1/30/2023

Ohio schools will administer the Alternate Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (Alt-OELPA) Feb. 6-March 31. This assessment is for eligible English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Districts and community schools must administer the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA) or the Alt-OELPA to each English learner in grades K-12 annually.

The Department provides the Alt-OELPA Participation Guidelines and the Alt-OELPA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual to help Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams determine student eligibility and select supports and accommodations for students participating in the new assessment. Once an IEP team has determined student eligibility and documented needed supports and accommodations, schools must identify students in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) for the Alt-OELPA and configure student settings, including any domain exemptions, in advance of administration.

The resources listed below will help districts and schools prepare for the new assessment:

  • Alt-OELPA Resources: All nonsecure resources for the Alt-OELPA are available on the Alt-OELPA Resources page of the test portal. Resources include the 2023 Alt-OELPA Test Administration Manual and an updated Alt-OELPA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual (Version 3.0) with new appendices to support student eligibility decisions.
  • Alt-OELPA Test Administrator Directions and Scoring Rubrics Booklets: District test coordinators with students registered in TIDE for the Alt-OELPA will receive the Alt-OELPA Test Administrator Directions and Scoring Rubrics Booklets in their TIDE Inbox beginning Jan. 30. The booklets are secure materials and are required for test administration. They contain item-specific scripts and scoring rubrics. To maintain test security, district test coordinators must distribute the booklets to test administrators via the TIDE Inbox. The booklets must not be sent by email or printed. More information about the booklets and scoring rubrics is available in the Alt-OELPA Test Administration Manual.
  • Webinar Training: In November 2022, the Department hosted a webinar about the Alt-OELPA, including an overview of the assessment and related resources, considerations for student eligibility and information on registering students for the Alt-OELPA in TIDE. A recording of the webinar and the presentation slides are on the test portal.
  • Online Training Courses for Alt-OELPA: The Collaborative for the Alternate Assessment of English Language Proficiency (CAAELP) has created two self-paced, online training courses for the Alt-OELPA. There is a course for test coordinators and a course for test administrators. Learn more about the courses and create an account. Contact elpa21training@aealearning.org with questions about these courses.
For additional information or assistance, contact the Ohio Help Desk at OHhelpdesk@cambiumassessment.com or (877) 231-7809.