Which type of assessment did a high school ESL teacher create to categorize 100 new ELLs?

A placement test is designed specifically to determine the appropriate level or category for English Language Learners (ELLs) within an educational program. In this context, the high school ESL teacher's goal is to classify 100 new ELLs based on their language proficiency, skills, and readiness to engage with the curriculum. Placement tests assess students' current abilities in a way that allows educators to make informed decisions about the best instructional approach and support needed for each student.

Task-based assessments, while useful for evaluating students' ability to perform specific tasks, do not primarily serve to categorize students for initial placement. Benchmark assessments are typically used to measure student progress against specific standards over time rather than at the point of entry into a program. Achievement tests are designed to evaluate what students have learned after instruction has taken place, rather than assessing their current proficiency for placement purposes. Therefore, a placement test is the most appropriate tool for the teacher's intention to categorize ELLs accurately.