ELPA21 is proud to celebrate an important milestone: 10 years with UCLA’s Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST).
Over the past decade, this partnership has helped transform ELPA21 from a newly operational assessment system into a nationally recognized leader in English language proficiency assessment, professional learning, and innovative classroom resources.
While ELPA21’s story began with a U.S. Department of Education Enhanced Assessment Grant, joining CRESST in 2016 marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter—one grounded in world-class research, collaboration, and a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities for English learners.
A Foundation Built on Research
UCLA CRESST’s history spans six decades. Founded in 1966 as the Center for the Study of Evaluation and established in its current form in 1983, the organization has long been at the forefront of educational research, pioneering new approaches to assessment, evaluation, and learning. For more than 40 years, UCLA CRESST has brought together leading researchers, educators, schools, foundations, and federal partners to improve how student learning is measured and supported. Today, the center continues to advance innovative assessment methodologies and psychometric research across education and beyond.
UCLA CRESST’s longstanding commitment to rigorous research and meaningful educational impact made it a natural partner for ELPA21. The partnership brought together a shared focus on innovation, research, and improving outcomes for English learners, providing a strong foundation for ELPA21’s next stage of development.
Li Cai, UCLA CRESST Center Director
“When the opportunity to partner with ELPA21 emerged, it was clear there was a real need for an innovative English language proficiency assessment system—one that could incorporate some of the most modern approaches available,” recalls Li Cai, UCLA CRESST Center Director. “We saw an opportunity to bring our expertise in assessment design, psychometrics, and item validation to that effort and help develop a system that could better serve English learners, educators, and states.”
The Beginning of ELPA21
ELPA21 was established in 2012 with the award of a U.S. Department of Education Enhanced Assessment Grant. Founding states, together with a network of educational organizations and assessment experts, united around a shared vision: creating a next-generation English language proficiency assessment system aligned with college- and career-ready expectations for English learners.
Over the next several years, that vision became reality. Teams of educators, researchers, psychometricians, and language experts developed the English Language Proficiency Standards, designed innovative assessment frameworks, conducted extensive field testing, and established scoring methods and proficiency criteria—laying the foundation for the continued research, refinement, and innovation that shape ELPA21 today.
A New Home at UCLA
Following the successful operational launch of the ELPA21 Summative Assessment, UCLA CRESST became the official home of ELPA21 in 2016. This partnership represents a long-term investment in advancing English language proficiency assessment through ongoing research, innovation, and collaboration.
Over the next decade, ELPA21 expanded its reach and impact.
The Dynamic Screener was developed to identify incoming English learners in need of English learner services. Additional federal grants led to the creation of the Alt ELPA assessments, ensuring that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities have access to fair and accurate English language proficiency assessments. Professional learning workshops and classroom resources further expanded ELPA21’s impact, extending its work beyond assessment and accountability into classroom practice across member states.
Through each milestone, one principle remained constant: every advancement has been informed by research, collaboration, and the experiences of educators working directly with English learners.
Looking Ahead
Today, ELPA21 continues to evolve.
From AI-enhanced assessment scoring and world-class psychometric research to expanded professional learning and instructional resources, ELPA21 continues to explore new ways to help educators and families support English learners in the classroom and at home.
Under the leadership of ELPA21 Executive Director Cathryn Still, that spirit of collaboration and shared vision continues to guide the program’s evolution and shape its path forward.
Cathryn Still, ELPA21 Executive Director
“It has been incredibly gratifying to see the vision and collaboration of our state leaders and the ELPA21 team evolve over time into a robust, cohesive system of assessments, standards, and educator resources,” Still says. “UCLA CRESST has been an invaluable partner in that growth. Its deep understanding of program administration, its relationships and resources across the university, and our access to world-class expertise in psychometrics and research have all helped strengthen ELPA21 and expand what we are able to accomplish.”
As we celebrate a decade at UCLA CRESST, we are equally energized by what lies ahead. Together, we will continue advancing ELPA21’s assessment system, professional learning opportunities, and instructional resources, drawing on a culture of research and innovation to ensure they remain accessible, evidence-based, and meaningful for the students, educators, and families they are designed to serve.
To everyone who has been part of this journey—our member states, governing board members, educators, researchers, partners, and families—thank you. Your collaboration, expertise, and dedication have shaped ELPA21 into what it is today. As we look toward the next decade, we look forward to building on that foundation and continuing this work together.
