About the California Assessment System

The California Assessment System includes the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).

California Assessments

CAASPP

The CAASPP, established by California Education Code (EC) sections 60640–60648.5, measures students’ knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy (ELA), mathematics, science, and Spanish reading language arts, as well as students’ progress toward college and career readiness. Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities may be assessed using the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) if it has been specified in their individualized education program (IEP).

The CAASPP consists of the following components:

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA and mathematics

California Science Test (CAST)

California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA, mathematics, and science

California Spanish Assessment (CSA)

Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments for ELA and mathematics

CAST Interim Assessments

Tools for Teachers

ELPAC

The ELPAC, established by EC sections 313 and 60810, measures the English language proficiency (ELP) of students whose primary language is a language other than English. Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities may be assessed using the Alternate ELPAC if it has been specified in their IEP.

The ELPAC consists of two separate assessments: one for the initial identification of students as potential English learners (ELs); and a second, annual, summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and identify the student's level of ELP.  The initial assessments identify students as either EL students who need support to learn English or as initial fluent English proficient. The summative assessments identify students’ ELP level and measure their progress in learning English.

The ELPAC consists of the following assessments:

Initial ELPAC

Initial Alternate ELPAC

Summative ELPAC

Summative Alternate ELPAC

ELPAC Interim Assessments

California Department of Education

Assessment Development and Administration Division

The Assessment Development and Administration Division is responsible for the development, coordination, and administration of statewide student testing programs in California. The California Department of Education (CDE) is committed to establishing effective achievement and proficiency assessments for students. These assessments include item types that model and promote high-quality teaching and learning. For more information on policies, guidance, and requirements for CAASPP, the ELPAC, and other statewide assessments, visit the CDE Testing web page.

Visit the CDE Testing Web Page

California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS)

CALPADS is managed by the Educational Data Management Division of the CDE. CALPADS is a longitudinal system used to maintain individual-level data required for state and federal reporting. Student data, such as demographic information and English language acquisition status, is transferred from CALPADS to other testing systems for the administration of CAASPP and the ELPAC.

Visit the CDE CALPADS Web Page

California’s Accountability System

California’s accountability system is managed by the Analysis, Measurement & Accountability Reporting Division of the CDE. The system is based on a multiple-measures system that assesses how local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools are meeting the needs of their students. Performance on these measures is reported through the California School Dashboard.

Visit the CDE Accountability Web Page

Our Partners

Smarter Balanced

California is a member of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, a collaboration of K-12 and higher education leaders and educators working to provide a comprehensive and cost-effective assessment system. The Smarter Balanced assessment system includes a comprehensive suite of standards-aligned assessments and tools—including instructional supports, interim assessments, and summative assessments—to support effective teaching and maximize learning for each individual student.

Smarter Balanced develops the summative and interim assessments for ELA and mathematics, which are part of the CAASPP System. Smarter Balanced also develops and provides support for educators through resources like Tools for Teachers and the California Educator Reporting System (CERS).

ETS

ETS is a nonprofit assessment organization driven by a mission to help advance quality and equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments, research, and related services. ETS' focus is on improving student learning, delivering high-quality assessments, and providing the assessment results needed by parents and guardians, educators, and policy makers to continue promoting advancements in equity and education.

ETS works with the CDE on statewide assessments for nearly six million K-12 public school students and serves as the designated contractor for the California Assessment System, which includes CAASPP and the ELPAC. ETS provides all services required to develop, deliver, and report the CAASPP and ELPAC. Services include item and test development; LEA training and training resources; LEA support services; psychometric services; technology services to support computer-based testing; analysis and scoring; and student-, LEA-, and state-level reporting.

Development Partners

Sacramento County Office of Education

Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) develops and provides administration and scoring training for the majority of California's assessments and involves educators in assessment development activities such as item review. SCOE produces print and digital materials for test administration and provides video development and production for the CAASPP and ELPAC programs.

WestEd

WestEd brings meaningful professional development opportunities to educators in California and across the country. WestEd develops and delivers learning experiences that support assessment literacy, formative assessment practices, use of interim assessments to support instruction, and effective and equitable data use practices for instruction and system improvement.

MetaMetrics

MetaMetrics brings meaningful professional development opportunities to educators in California and across the country. WestEd develops and delivers learning experiences that support assessment literacy, formative assessment practices, use of interim assessments to support instruction, and effective and equitable data use practices for instruction and system improvement.