What is UALPA?

What is UALPA?
The Utah Academic Language Proficiency Assessment (UALPA) is a high stakes assessment required by
the State of Utah for all students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs). It measures how much
English is attained, and how much English language acquisition progress is made. A student’s progress is
represented by the designation of one of four levels: (P) Pre-Emergent, (E) Emergent,
(I) Intermediate, or (A) Advanced.
When is UALPA administered?
The annual testing window is from mid January to the end of April (specific dates vary from year to
year).
Why give UALPA?
Each state is required to identify and assess ELLs to determine if students are gaining sufficient language
skills to be proficient in the classroom and on CRTs. The State of Utah uses UALPA, Language Arts, and
Math CRT data for reporting progress. This report, “Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives”
(AMAO), is a requirement of the Federal Government through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Districts are held accountable for ELL progress in the following three areas:
AMAO #1: The percent of students who move from one proficiency level to the next or who move from
a low score in level E (Emergent) or I (Intermediate) to a higher score
AMAO #2: The percentage of students who receive a designation of A (Advanced) on UALPA
AMAO #3: The District makes AYP for the ELL subgroup in Language Arts and Math
A district, not passing in any one of the three areas will result in not making AMAO. Upon failure to
make AMAO for two consecutive years, a district must submit an improvement plan via the State to the
Federal Government.
Who takes UALPA?
All students designated as Pre-emergent, Emergent, Intermediate, and Advanced ELLs.
Who may administer UALPA?
The District employs ALS Para-professionals who are state-trained and certified.
How long does it take to administer UALPA?
On average the test takes two hours per student to assess in the four modalities of speaking, listening,
reading, and writing.
How is UALPA administered?
Para-professionals pull individual students or small groups of students from class to assess during several
different time periods ranging from 15 minutes to 60 minutes until the entire assessment is completed.