ELPAC Communication: October 2026

Email Update, October 1, 2026

This communication includes information about the Initial ELPAC, Summative ELPAC, Initial Alternate ELPAC, and Summative Alternate ELPAC.

Notice

2025–26 Test Results for California’s Assessments

Statewide aggregated results for the 2025–26 CAASPP and ELPAC will be publicly available on the Test Results for California’s Assessments website beginning on October 15, 2026. For more information about the aligned release of the 2026 California School Dashboard and public release of 2025–26 CAASPP and ELPAC aggregate results, visit the Aligned Dashboard and Assessment Data Release web page.

2026–27 Summative ELPAC AST

Summative ELPAC Administration and Scoring Training (AST) will be available starting October 19, 2026 on the Moodle Training Site (Moodle). LEA ELPAC coordinators received information on September 16, 2026. Access codes will be emailed to LEA ELPAC coordinators on the start date. Reminder: all LEAs must complete the LEA Certification Course by December 7, 2026, or may be subject to a Tier 2 audit.

2026–27 Summative Alternate ELPAC AST

Summative Alternate ELPAC AST will be available starting November 2, 2026 on Moodle. LEA ELPAC coordinators will receive information on October 8, 2026. Access codes will be emailed on November 2. LEAs must certify annually within two weeks of registering an eligible student.

Test Security

Test security is everyone’s responsibility all year long!

Test Security Resources

To learn more about CAASPP and ELPAC test security guidelines and procedures, users should refer to the following resources:

• Test Security Guidelines for Test Administrators and Test Examiners (10:37)
• Test Security Guidelines for Site Coordinators and LEA Coordinators (10:27)
• Test Security web page

Reminder

Census Day

Complete Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC testing prior to Census Day, which is October 7, 2026. Completion will allow newly enrolled students, who are identified as English learners, to be included in the Unduplicated Pupil Count, which is used to determine funding for the supplemental and concentration grants under the Local Control Funding Formula.

Upcoming Trainings

To register or locate additional details about upcoming trainings, including dates, times, and content, visit the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page.

October 7: CERS Essentials—Exploring the Features of Interim Assessment Data

The California Educator Reporting System (CERS) Essentials Training Series is a set of free, one-hour, topic-focused, live virtual sessions. This session will focus on exploring CERS features associated with interim assessment data. Register now for the 2026–27 CERS Essentials Training.

October 8: CAASPP and ELPAC Accessibility Resources Webinar

This online webinar will provide valuable information about the appropriate use of CAASPP and ELPAC accessibility resources. All California educators are welcome to register now for the Accessibility Resources Webinar.

October 13: Coffee Session

Coffee Sessions, hosted by the California Department of Education and ETS, offer timely reminders and updates and provide opportunities for LEA staff to ask questions and get answers about assessments, trainings, resources, and more. Register once on the Coffee Session Series registration web page to attend all upcoming sessions.

October 15: New Coordinator Training Webinar—Practice Tests, Training Tests, and Interim Assessments

This webinar will cover the value of practice tests, how they differ from training tests, the role of interim assessments, and essential resources for coordinators. Register now for the 2026–27 New Coordinator Training Webinar Series.

October 21: CERS Essentials—Creating Customized Reports as an Administrator

This session will focus on how to create custom aggregate reports in CERS and the types of reports available in CERS. Register now for the 2026–27 CERS Essentials Training.

October 27: Connect for Success

Connect for Success is a monthly regional meeting for LEA coordinators, hosted by your LEA Success Agents. Sessions provide timely program updates, important reminders, demonstrations of key tasks, practical guidance for navigating CAASPP and ELPAC systems, and opportunities to ask questions and connect with your regional support team.

Audience: LEA CAASPP Coordinators and LEA ELPAC Coordinators (Regions 3, 4, 7, 8, 11)

• Date: October 27, 2026
• Time: 10–11 a.m.
• Registration: October Connect for Success morning session

Audience: LEA CAASPP Coordinators and LEA ELPAC Coordinators (Regions 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10)

• Date: October 27, 2026
• Time: 2–3 p.m.
• Registration: October Connect for Success afternoon session

October 27–29: 2026 California Assessment Conference

The 2026 California Assessment Conference is a unique opportunity for all educators to explore the connections between classroom instruction and assessment.

November 3: Summative ELPAC AST Overview and Q&A

This question and answer session will cover updates to the test administration and scoring training and will answer questions for the upcoming Summative ELPAC administration. Register now for the November 2026 Summative ELPAC AST Overview and Q&A.

Educator Involvement Opportunities

New Educator Meeting Opportunities

Opportunities to get involved in assessment development for the 2026–27 school year are available.

• The Summative ELPAC Writing Range Finding Meeting begins March 9, 2027, for grades three through twelve, and April 6 for kindergarten through grade two. The application closes November 13, 2026.
• The Alternate ELPAC Item Review Meeting will be held April 13–15, 2027. The application closes December 18, 2026.

For a full list of available opportunities, visit the Get Involved web page. Contact the Educator Opportunities Team by phone at 916-228-2682 or by email at edopportunities@scoe.net with any questions.

On-Demand Trainings and Recordings

Recordings of the following trainings are now available on the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page:

• New Coordinator Training Webinar: Assessment Systems and the Test Operations Management System
• CERS Essentials: Managing Student Groups as an Administrator
• Video Student Score Report Webinar

Previous ELPAC Monthly Communications

Previous ELPAC monthly communications, as well as other email communications, are located on the Coordinator Emails web page.

Additional Help

• Contact your region’s Success Agent for answers to questions about assessment coordination, development, and administration, as well as for technical support.
• Direct questions about Moodle, certification, and calibration to moodlesupport@scoe.net.

For further support, visit the Contact Us web page.

Sincerely,

California Outreach Team
CAASPP & ELPAC Website