An assessment format I might use in my classroom:

Integrated Performance Assessment (IPA)

Why IPA?

The IPA is a performance-based assessment developed by ACTFL, designed to evaluate language proficiency through authentic, real-world tasks. It aligns with the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (the "Five Cs": Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities) and is ideal for ESL educators seeking to move beyond traditional, discrete-point testing.

IPA has Three Communicative Modes:

Interpretive (understanding spoken/written texts)
Interpersonal (spontaneous communication)
Presentational (rehearsed communication for an audience)

IPA tasks are thematically linked, mirroring how language is used in real life—receiving information, discussing it, and creating new content.

It uses real-world tasks and materials (e.g., articles, videos, podcasts) and tasks, which increases its validity.

IPA is almost ideal for children and adults.

It works great for adults due to their developed cognitive skills and pragmatic learning goals. IPA’s authenticity aligns with professional and academic needs.

For children (K-12) it'd require scaffolding and age-appropriate themes (e.g., family, animals, school activities). Simplified tasks and visual supports can make IPA accessible and engaging.

IPA works in all teaching modes.

In class, it's great for interpersonal tasks (e.g., discussions, role-plays), which benefit from immediate feedback and live interaction.

In online or hybrid instructional settings, it suits well for interpretive and presentational tasks and adapts well to digital platforms (e.g., video submissions, discussion forums).

Suitability of IPA Across Educational Contexts

Context	Suitability	Considerations
Adult Education	High	Leverages life experience, aligns with pragmatic goals
K-12 Education	Moderate	Requires scaffolding and age-appropriate themes
Face-to-Face	High	Ideal for interpersonal tasks, immediate feedback
Online	Moderate-High	Good for interpretive/presentational tasks
Hybrid	High	Optimizes strengths of both environments

Advantages of IPA in ESL Contexts

Advantage	Description
Authentic Assessment	Uses real-world materials and tasks, increasing relevance and ecological validity.
Comprehensive Evaluation	Assesses all three communicative modes, providing a holistic view of proficiency.
Formative Feedback	Built-in feedback loops allow for ongoing improvement and integration into the learning process.
Cultural Integration	Incorporates cultural content, promoting intercultural competence.
Stakeholder Communication	Provides concrete performance examples for students, parents, and administrators.

Disadvantages and Challenges

Challenge	Description
Time-Intensive	Requires significant planning and resources for development and implementation.
Assessment Complexity	Needs sophisticated rubrics and trained raters for reliable scoring.
Proficiency Limitations	May overwhelm beginners; requires scaffolding or modification.
Stakeholder Resistance	Students/parents may prefer traditional assessments.
Logistical Challenges	Interpersonal tasks can be difficult in large classes or online environments.

What changes would you make and why?

For ESL:

Scaffolding for proficiency levels: simplified authentic texts, sentence frames, and visual supports for beginners. Add progressive difficulty across units, increasing complexity as students advance.
Use digital platforms like Flipgrid for asynchronous discussions or collaborative documents for presentational tasks.
Use localized content that reflects students’ immediate environments and experiences.
Interdisciplinary connections: Align IPA themes with other academic subjects (e.g., history, science).

Conclusion

IPA can be adapted to diverse educational contexts and learner needs for ESL programs.