ELPAC Communication: January 2026

Email Update, January 5, 2026

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

Notice

Locked Demographics Fields

Student demographic information in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) will have multiple fields locked when a student opens a summative assessment. This includes fields locked for ELPAC when CAASPP is opened. A complete list of locked fields for CAASPP and ELPAC is available in the Locked Fields subsection of the TOMS User Guide.

Supplemental Test Material Orders

The primary test materials ordering window has closed. LEAs that placed a primary test material order in TOMS can expect orders to begin to arrive the week of January 12, 2026. LEAs that have not placed a primary order for kindergarten through grade two (K–2) students can place a supplemental order beginning January 22, 2026. Supplemental orders will be delivered within two weeks. Instructions for how to place a supplemental order can be found in the TOMS User Guide.

Test Security

Security Policies and Best Practices for Handling of Test Materials

The following is a list of key points for team briefing on the security protocols and practices for handling Summative ELPAC and Alternate ELPAC materials:

• Test security affidavits and test security agreements must be signed to access ELPAC systems. For more information, refer to the Security Agreements and Security Affidavits section of the TOMS User Guide.
• Test administration training is nonnegotiable. Only trained test examiners administer assessments. For more information, refer to the Test Administration Trainings and Tutorials web page.
• Secure materials must be handled appropriately at all times and locked when not in use.
• Paper–pencil testing materials must be handled and returned securely, following the instructions provided with the shipment.
• Students must not see test content before administration.
• Security incidents must be reported immediately.
  • Use the Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System (STAIRS) to report any testing irregularities or breaches associated with summative assessments or initial assessments.
  • Contact your success agent to report any testing irregularities or breaches for interim assessments.
• Keep test security affidavits and audit records for at least 12 months.

Reminders

Accessibility Resources

The following content is available to assist in making decisions about assigning student accessibility resources:

• California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix
• Accessibility Resource Graphics web page
• Accessibility Guide
• Test Settings subsection of the TOMS User Guide
• ELPAC Student Needs Matching Tool
• Individual Student Assessment Accessibility Profile (ISAAP) Tool

Accessibility resources should be assigned to a student on the basis of individual need, as determined by the student’s educational team.

Test Administration Window for the Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC

For the 2025–26 academic year, LEAs should complete Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC testing by Friday, May 29, 2026. Although the Test Delivery System and Test Administrator Interface can be accessed through Sunday, May 31, consider the following limitations when scheduling testing:

• Support services, such as the LEA Success Agents and CalTAC, are not available during the weekend.
• STAIRS cases and Appeal requests cannot be processed during the weekend.

When May 31 falls during a weekend, as it does in 2026, LEAs are strongly encouraged to complete all testing by the preceding Friday to ensure access to support and processing services.

2024–25 California Test Results Public Release

The 2024–25 ELPAC results have been released to the public and are available on the Test Results for California’s Assessments website. Aggregate results for the Initial ELPAC, Summative ELPAC, Initial Alternate ELPAC, and Summative Alternate ELPAC are available.

FedEx Replaces UPS for PPT Deliveries and Returns

FedEx is the new carrier for PPT deliveries and returns. PPT materials include special version braille and large-print assessments as well as K–2 Answer Books. Complete return instructions will be included with orders for PPT materials. Other changes for PPT orders include the following:

• PPTs sent to the LEA are bundled in packs of 5 instead of 10.
• ELPAC PPTs will use the new returns portal to generate return labels instead of including preprinted labels with the order.
• Materials are returned to North Carolina instead of New Jersey.

Required Trainings

To prepare for Summative ELPAC or the Summative Alternate ELPAC, LEA ELPAC coordinators and test examiners must complete Administration and Scoring Training (AST) through the Moodle Training Site (Moodle).

Completion of LEA ELPAC coordinator training is mandatory.

Information about the Summative ELPAC AST includes the following:

• Training is available for LEA ELPAC coordinators and ELPAC test examiners.
• The deadline for all LEA coordinators was December 8, 2025. LEAs that have not completed certification are currently on the Tier 2 audit list. To avoid the audit, LEA coordinators must complete the training by January 12, 2026.
• Test examiners must complete training prior to testing.

Information about the Summative Alternate ELPAC ASTs, which are required for LEAs that have students assigned to the Alternate ELPAC, includes the following:

• Training is available for LEA ELPAC coordinators and ELPAC test examiners.
• LEA coordinator certification must be completed within two weeks of registering an eligible student.
• Test examiners must complete the Alternate ELPAC—Test Examiner Certification course prior to testing.

Note that in addition to any of the listed training options, local training policies and procedures must be followed.

An LEA with minimal eligible enrollments can enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a neighboring LEA. LEAs must email the signed MOU to elpac@scoe.net to confirm that the neighboring LEA has completed the required training. MOUs do not roll over and must be updated and submitted annually.

Visit the Test Administration Trainings and Tutorials web page for a complete list of required trainings and deadlines.

Upcoming Trainings

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

January 13: Coffee Session, 2–3 p.m.

These monthly virtual Coffee Sessions, hosted by the California Department of Education (CDE) and ETS, offer opportunities for LEA staff to ask questions and get answers about assessments, trainings, resources, and more. If you are not already registered, you can register on the Coffee Session Series registration web page. By registering once, you will be eligible to attend all upcoming sessions.

January 13 and 20: Site Administrator Assessment Convenings

Help site administrators kick off the new year in the know! The January Site Administrator Assessment Convening is an opportunity to hear directly from CDE staff about assessment resources offered by the CDE, ask questions, and share ideas with other site administrators throughout the state. This one-hour convening will focus on accessibility resources for students on the CAASPP and ELPAC; formative assessment resource updates; and upcoming training opportunities for school staff. Two convening dates and times are available to choose from.

• January 13, 2026, 9–10 a.m.
• January 20, 2026, noon–1 p.m.

Please encourage site administrators in your area to register for the January 2026 Site Administrator Convening.

January 15: New Coordinator Training Webinar Series #9, 3–4 p.m.

The ninth session in the New Coordinator Training Webinar Series will focus on the topic of support during testing and will end with a question and answer session with experienced LEA coordinators.

Register for one or more sessions of the 2025–26 New Coordinator Training Webinar Series. This training series provides just-in-time information for LEA coordinators.

January 27: Connect for Success, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Meet your Success Agents at Connect For Success, a monthly regional meeting for LEA coordinators. During this event, you will receive information such as deadline reminders, demonstrations on how to complete required tasks, and quick tips for navigating the CAASPP & ELPAC Website and other platforms.

Register now for the January 27 Connect for Success session.

January 28: Supporting Individual Needs: Criteria for Alternate Assessment Participation Webinar, 10–11 a.m.

Choosing the right statewide assessment is an essential part of designing a meaningful Individualized Education Program (IEP). Join the CDE and the High Quality IEPs project staff to learn about the criteria for the alternate assessment and strategies for reviewing participation to ensure students are assigned the appropriate assessments.

Register now for the Supporting Individual Needs: Criteria for Alternate Assessment Participation webinar.

January 28: 2025–26 Video Student Score Reports Webinar, 1–2 p.m.

Join ETS to learn about how to order personalized and engaging video Student Score Reports for the 2025–26 Smarter Balanced for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics, Initial ELPAC, and Summative ELPAC.

Register now for the 2025–26 Video Student Score Reports webinar.

January 29: Flexible by Design: Formative and Accessibility Strategies for Every Learner, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Join CDE staff, classroom teachers, and administrators as they share how they promote and use formative assessment and accessibility strategies to support teaching and learning in the classroom. This webinar is the first of a three-part series featuring California educators sharing their insights. Each webinar in the series will focus on a different topic, including formative assessment and accessibility strategies, instructional resources for science, and professional learning resources that support English language development.

Please encourage teachers and administrators to register now for the Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series.

Educator Involvement Opportunities

Educator Meeting Opportunities

Shape tomorrow’s assessments today—there’s still time!

Apply now for the ELPAC Data Review Meeting that will be held on May 19 and 20, 2026. This application closes on January 30, 2026.

Also available is the Combined Alternate Assessments Data Review Meeting that will be held on June 23–25, 2026. This application closes on March 6, 2026.

To apply for educator meetings, go to the Educator Opportunities Portal. Those without an Educator Opportunities Portal account can create an account via the Educator Opportunities Portal Account Creation Form. For any questions, please contact the Educator Opportunities Team by phone at 916-228-2682 or by email at edopportunities@scoe.net.

More information is available on the Get Involved web page.

Available Now!

On-Demand Trainings and Recordings

A recording of the following training is now available on the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page:

• December Coffee Session

Previous ELPAC Monthly Communications

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

Additional Help

• Direct questions about policies, regulations, and requirements to elpac@cde.ca.gov.
• 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.
• Get Answers from a user-friendly lookup tool available to help LEA coordinators quickly find answers to the most common testing questions.

For further support, visit the Contact Us web page.

Sincerely,

California Outreach Team
CAASPP & ELPAC Website