Preparing for Summative CAASPP: Resources Available
Email Update, January 20, 2026
Dear LEA CAASPP Coordinator:
The 2025–26 statewide summative CAASPP administration window opened on January 20, 2026. This email contains links to resources needed to prepare for the upcoming test administration.
Online Test Administration Manuals
The following manuals contain information and instructions about test preparation and administration:
Administering an Online Test Session Documents (Scripts)
The Administering an Online Test Session documents—also known as scripts—provide instructions for test administrators to read to students during test administration. Test administrators can use either full-version scripts or abridged scripts. Note the following about scripts:
- Full-version scripts include instructions, “SAY” content, background details, and screen captures. This full-version script is recommended for new test administrators.
- Abridged scripts include only minimal instructions and the “SAY” content.
Scripts are available for the following assessments:
- Smarter Balanced for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics computer adaptive test
- Smarter Balanced for Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics performance task
- California Science Test
- California Spanish Assessment (CSA)
Tip: Test administrators and test examiners can use the I am administering the… drop-down menu on the Administer a Test Session web page to filter the resources appropriate to the assessment they are administering.
Directions for Administration (DFAs) for the California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for ELA, CAA for Mathematics, and CAA for Science are available under the “Resources” tab in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS).
PFAs and Resources
Information about planning and preparation is located in the Preparing for Administration (PFA) documents.
The following CAA PFAs should be reviewed prior to test administration:
The following CSA PFA should be reviewed prior to test administration:
Find detailed instructions about starting a test session in the following resources:
Form Assignments and Second Scoring Assignments
Use the lookup tool on the CAA for ELA and Mathematics Form Assignments web page and the CAA for Science Form Assignments web page to search for your LEA’s form assignment by entering your LEA’s name. Use these form assignments to determine which DFAs are to be used.
Use the lookup tool on the CAA for ELA Second Scoring web page to determine whether your school has been selected to participate in second scoring for the 2025–26 school year.
Estimated Testing Times
Students are allowed as much time as needed to complete an assessment. The CAASPP Online Test Administration Manual provides estimated testing times to assist with scheduling time for testing.
2025–26 Summative CAASPP Test Administrator and Test Examiner Training
LEA CAASPP coordinators are responsible for providing training to test administrators and can provide training using one of the following options:
- Use the CAASPP Test Administrator Tutorial on the Moodle Training Site (Moodle).
- Train locally using the CAASPP Test Administrator Training and the CAASPP Test Administrator Training Resource Guide.
- Provide a locally developed training.
Test examiners who will be administering the CAAs are required to complete the CAA Test Examiner Tutorial on Moodle prior to test administration.
Practice Tests and Training Tests
Test examiners and students can use the practice tests and training tests to become familiar with an assessment prior to test day. Watch the Practice and Training Tests Overview video and review the Smarter Balanced Training Tests, Practice Tests, and Interim Assessments At-a-Glance quick reference guide for additional information.
For further support, visit the Contact Us web page.
Sincerely,
California Outreach Team
CAASPP & ELPAC Website