District/School Administration PK-16 Program Support
English Language Learners

Student Performance Data

Limited English Proficient (LEP) students must develop academic proficiency in English. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education annually administers the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA) to all LEP students, grades 3-12. This assessment has two components, the Massachusetts English Language Assessment - Oral (MELA-O) to assess speaking and listening, and the MEPA Reading and Writing to assess reading and writing. The results of the MEPA are reported using four performance levels of English language proficiency: Beginning, Early Intermediate, Intermediate and Transitioning. LEP students in grades K-2 are currently assessed using the MELA-O.

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law requires the annual assessment of English language proficiency. It also requires that the state set targets for the percentage of LEP students making progress learning English, and the percentage of LEP students attaining proficiency in English. The Department must report the state's actual performance, and the actual performance of all districts receiving Title III funds. These reports of Annual Measureable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) for both the state and districts can be below

	Guidance on Using MEPA Results to Plan Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Instruction and Make Reclassification Decisions for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students (September 2009)
	Reports of Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO)
	Guide to Interpreting the Spring 2006 MEPA Reports for Schools and Districts
	MEPA Results Highlight Progress in English Acquisition Among LEP Students