CAASPP Communication: February 2026
Email Update, February 2, 2026
This communication includes information and updates about CAASPP.
Notice
CAASPP Statewide Testing Window Opens
The LEA-selected CAASPP testing window, which was set by the LEA in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) prior to December 1, 2025, falls within the statewide testing window of January 20 through June 30, 2026.
LEA CAASPP coordinators should communicate the LEA testing window to site coordinators so sites can prepare for CAASPP testing.
Test Security
Update User Roles in TOMS
LEA CAASPP coordinators and site CAASPP coordinators should update or remove access for users who have left their LEA or school site to ensure the security of student personally identifiable information (PII). Coordinators should delete anyone who does not need TOMS access, including those persons who have left the LEA, retired, or transitioned to another role. Remember that TOMS users will have access to student PII and secure test content.
Reminders
Test Administrator Tutorial in Moodle
The Test Administrator Tutorial, which is one of three training options available to prepare test administrators for summative CAASPP testing, is available on the Moodle Training Site (Moodle). Test administrators will require a Moodle enrollment key, found on the Administration Scoring and Training website, that should be provided to sites by the LEA CAASPP coordinator.
CAA for Science
The California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science opened for testing September 16, 2025. Students assigned to the CAA for Science should complete an embedded performance task immediately after the student has received instruction on related science content. Students who have not begun testing should begin as soon as possible. More information about administering the CAA for Science is available in a CAA for Science Administration Planning Guide.
Locked Demographics Fields
Student demographic information in TOMS will have multiple fields locked when a student opens a summative assessment. This includes fields locked for CAASPP when ELPAC is opened. A complete list of locked fields for CAASPP and ELPAC is available in the Locked Fields subsection of the TOMS User Guide.
Security Policies and Best Practices for Test Systems and Materials
The following is a list of key points for team briefing on the security protocols and practices for using and handling summative CAASPP systems and materials:
- Test security affidavits and test security agreements must be signed to access CAASPP systems for summative assessments.
- Keep test security affidavits and audit records for at least 12 months.
- Refer to the Security Agreements and Security Affidavits subsection of the TOMS User Guide for more information.
- Test administration training is required. Only trained test administrators and test examiners should administer the assessments.
- Refer to the Test Administration Trainings and Tutorials web page for more information.
- Secure materials must be handled appropriately at all times and locked when not in use.
- Special-version paper–pencil testing materials must be handled and returned securely, following the instructions provided with the shipment.
- Students must not access test content before test administration.
- Security incidents for summative assessments 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.
- Contact your LEA Success Agent to report any testing irregularities or breaches for interim assessments.
Introducing ATLAS
The CDE and the Los Angeles County Office of Education are excited to announce that the ATLAS task bank is now available! The ATLAS bank is a user-friendly, online resource offering over 1,300 science lessons for grades K–12 that are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Each task is designed to support authentic science inquiry and performance assessment. California educators can access the ATLAS task bank and register for a free account by visiting the ATLAS website.
Allowlisting
The California Department of Education (CDE) may contact you by email with important messages. Please add the following email address to your allowlist to ensure communications are received:
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.
February 10: 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.
February 12 and 26: Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series, 3:30–5 p.m.
Join CDE staff, classroom teachers, and administrators as they share how they promote and use formative assessment resources to support teaching and learning in the classroom. These webinars are the second and third of a three-part series featuring California educators sharing their insights. The final two webinars of the series are as follows:
- February 12: By Teachers, For Teachers: Unlocking Classroom-Ready Science Resources
- February 26: Professional Learning Resources for Supporting English Learners
Please encourage teachers and administrators to register now for the Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series.
February 17 and 24: CERS—Beyond the Basics, 3:30–4:45 p.m.
This series of three training sessions—two in February and the last in March—cover advanced rostering and reporting for coordinators and administrators; customizing groups and generating Individual Student Reports; and accessing, interpreting, and supporting writing extended-response scores and related resources. Registration for the CERS—Beyond the Basics training series is now open. February’s two training sessions are as follows:
- February 17: Module One—Rostering and Reports for Coordinators and Administrators
- February 24: Module Two—Custom Groups and Individual Student Reports
February 19: New Coordinator Training Webinar Series #10, 3–4 p.m.
The tenth session in the New Coordinator Training Webinar Series will focus on the topics of completion tracking and test security.
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.
February 25: Charter School Assessment Coordinator Quarterly Network Meeting, 9:30–11 a.m.
This series of quarterly meetings of the virtual Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network offers targeted support for school coordinators and administrators. The meetings focus on preparing for CAASPP and ELPAC administration, dashboard release, and an opportunity to connect with coordinators across California. Register now for the February 2026 Charter School Assessment Coordinator Quarterly Network Meeting.
February 25: Connect for Success, 10 a.m.–Noon
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 February 25 Connect for Success session.
Educator Involvement Opportunities
Educator Meeting Opportunities
There is still time to shape tomorrow’s assessments, today!
The following opportunities to participate are still available:
- The California Science Test Data Review Meeting will be held for grades five and eight on June 16, 2026, and for the high school grade band on June 17, 2026. This application closes on February 27, 2026.
- The California Spanish Assessment Data Review Meeting will be held on June 16 and 17, 2026. This application closes on February 27, 2026.
- The Combined Alternate Assessments Data Review Meeting will be held 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.
On-Demand Trainings and Recordings
Recordings of the following trainings are now available on the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page:
Previous CAASPP Monthly Communications
Previous CAASPP 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 caaspp@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