Project Overview
Inclusivity and Equity
The Collaborative for the Alternate Assessment of English Language Proficiency (CAAELP) is a federally funded 4-year project (2019–2023) in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Education, nine other states, and the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at UCLA. The project represents the diversity of English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities and the communities and schools that support them.
Our Goals
Develop an alternate summative assessment system of English language proficiency (Alt ELPA), based on alternate performance expectations for English language development
Deliver resonant professional learning about the standards, instruction, and assessment of English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities
Develop and launch a sustainable program to maintain the assessment and practices
Governance
CAAELP is governed by a Collaborative Council with a voting representative from each member state. This decision-making body is focused on developing a fair assessment system — representative and supportive of this small but diverse group of students.
CAAELP Project Timeline
OCT 2019 - SEPT 2020
1
Create Foundational Documents
OCT 2020 - SEPT 2021
2
Finalize Blueprint
3
Establish Communities of Practice
4
Conduct Professional Learning through the Communities of Practice (ongoing)
5
Conduct Educator Item Feedback (Pilot Phase 1)
OCT 2021 - SEPT 2022
6
Conduct Item Tryouts (Pilot Phase 2)
7
Develop Field Test Items
8
Conduct Professional Learning through the Communities of Practice (ongoing)
OCT 2022 - SEPT 2023
9
Conduct Operational Field Test
10
Calibrate Items
11
Conduct Professional Learning through the Communities of Practice (ongoing)
12