Test Security
Find information about test security related to CAASPP and ELPAC testing. Test Examiners and Test Administrators can refer to the video to the Test Security Guidelines (14:49) video to learn more about testing guidelines and procedures.
Test Security Forms
Users need to access the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) prior to testing to complete the online security affidavit or security agreement. Users accessing the Test Administrator Interface without completing the Test Security Affidavit in TOMS will not be able to view a list of assessments or administer the summative assessments.
Test Security Affidavit for Non-TOMS User
Users who do not require access to TOMS, but have access to secure printed testing materials (including Student Score Reports), must sign one or both of the following forms:
STAIRS/Appeals Process
The Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System (STAIRS)/Appeals process, available in TOMS, must be used by local educational agency (LEA) coordinators and test site coordinators to report a test security incident or other testing issue that interferes with the administration and completion of the assessment.
After the incident is reported, TOMS will immediately prompt the filing of an Appeal, if that is the appropriate action. A system email will be sent that describes the submittal and includes the case number that can be used for searches in TOMS. This email will be sent to the submitter (and to the LEA coordinator, if the form is submitted by the test site coordinator). Ensure that communications generated by the email address ca-assessments@ets.org are not automatically sent to a junk email or spam folder.
In the case of breaches that are the result of social media exposure, the LEA coordinator must contact their LEA Success Agent.
How to Submit Security Incidents
STAIRS Case Submissions
LEA coordinators and test site coordinators should refer to the Quick Instructions or Detailed Instructions in the STAIRS/Appeals chapter of the TOMS User Guide to create a case in STAIRS.
To expedite the processing, please provide any information that would be helpful during the review of the STAIRS case. Coordinators can withdraw all or some of the Statewide Student Identifiers (SSIDs) from the STAIRS case if the STAIRS case is still pending approval from ETS or the California Department of Education (CDE).
Keep any documentation associated with the incident for one year.
Note: Only LEA coordinators should contact the assigned LEA Success Agent in regard to STAIRS cases. Test site coordinators should either inform their respective LEA coordinator to relay any information to ETS; or use the “Notes” section in the STAIRS case to communicate with ETS or the CDE.
Ensure submission of all Appeals before the LEA’s testing window closes. Any Appeal that results in a student’s continued testing must be filed with sufficient time for the student to complete testing before the LEA’s testing window ends. Contact the LEA Success Agent for testing window extension requests.
Test Security Audits
To ensure test security and protect the integrity of CAASPP and ELPAC tests, LEAs are randomly selected for test security audits each administration year. The purpose of the audits is for the CDE and ETS to assist the LEA in ensuring that correct security protocols are in place or in determining changes that might be needed to meet security protocols.
Audit Process
The test security audit process is based on the following three tiers:
Tier 1—Online Audit Survey
Schools and their respective LEAs are selected at random to complete an audit survey containing questions about staff training, classroom setup, storage of secure materials, and other assessment-related information.
Tier 2—Virtual Meeting
LEAs may be selected for a virtual meeting on the basis of significant security concerns such as the number of STAIRS cases submitted, communications from the LEA, security concerns reported to the CDE or ETS, or their responses to the audit survey.
Tier 3—In-person Visit
LEAs may be selected for an in-person visit by a member of the ETS California program team if security issues were deemed to have disregarded rules of testing that resulted in a severe security breach.
Tier 1 Audit Information
LEAs that are selected for a Tier 1 online audit survey will be notified via email by ETS and provided with a link to the online surveys. LEA staff should preview the questions prior to starting the survey to ensure they have all necessary information before completing the online survey.
When selected for a Tier 1 survey, LEAs must provide information about both CAASPP and ELPAC testing.
- If the same staff members handle both programs, they can complete a combined CAASPP and ELPAC survey.
- If different staff members manage the programs, separate surveys can be completed for each.
Additionally, LEAs must complete both an LEA-level survey and a site-level survey. The only exception is for charter schools where staff serve as both LEA and site coordinators, in which case the single charter-level survey is needed.
Tier 1 Audit Survey Questions
LEA-Level Audit Survey Questions
Site-Level Audit Survey Questions
Charter Audit Survey Questions
2024–25 Tier 1 Security Audit List
Enter your school or LEA name in the search form that follows to find schools that have been assigned a Tier 1 audit for the 2024–25 test administration year.
How To Get Started:
Use the search to find schools and LEAs assigned to Tier 1 audits