The Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (WELPA) determines student eligibility for English language development (ELD) services. The WELPA annually assesses growth in English language development by the state’s English language learners. This assessment tests reading, writing, listening and speaking knowledge and skills.

The WELPA consists of two tests:

• The Placement Test is used to determine initial student eligibility for English language development (ELD) services. The Placement Test is given to all students whose families answer “yes” to question #2 on the Home Language Survey: “Is your child’s first language a language other than English?”
• The Annual Test is given to all students who qualified for ELD services with a Placement Test. It measures students’ growth in English language knowledge and skills. Results from this test determine which students are eligible to continue to receive ELD services.

WLPT-II Placement Test:
The WLPT-II Placement Test is to be used to determine initial student eligibility for English language development (ELD) services in school year 2011-2012. Districts will be notified when the new WELPA Placement Test is ready for use. Copies of the WLPT-II Placement Test can no longer be ordered from Pearson. Districts in need of copies should contact neighboring districts that may have a surplus.

• WLPT-II Placement Test FAQs (PDF)
• WLPT-II Placement Test Overview (PDF)
• WLPT-II Training to Score Speaking Test (PDF)