ELPAC Communication: April 2026

Email Update, April 1, 2026

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

Notice

2026–27 Initial ELPAC AST

Initial ELPAC Administration and Scoring Training (AST) will be available starting April 20, 2026, on the Moodle Training Site (Moodle). LEA ELPAC coordinators received information on March 17, 2026. Access codes will be emailed to LEA ELPAC coordinators on April 20, 2026.

To learn about updates and get your training questions answered, register now for the Initial ELPAC AST Overview and Q&A to be presented on Zoom from 3 to 4 p.m. on May 5, 2026.

Summative ELPAC K–2 Answer Book Returns

An LEA should return completed Summative ELPAC kindergarten through grade two (K–2) Writing Answer Books at least twice a month in the provided white cartons (boxes). Approximately 150 answer books fit into one white carton. When sufficient Answer Books have been received, ETS can start the quality-control process for scoring and reporting that has to occur prior to Student Score Report production. An LEA with a small number of Answer Books to return should return completed Answer Books monthly, even with a partially filled carton.

All Answer Books must be scheduled for pickup by June 12, 2026, to be scored. Refer to the List of Key Dates table in the Test Administration Features section of the ELPAC Online Test Administration Manual for a list of all pickup dates.

The instructions for generating a return shipping label have changed; refer to the instructions that were included with your LEA coordinator kit for the new steps. The new carrier for returns is FedEx.

Returns can be tracked in the Materials Tracking Lookup tool, which also tracks incoming pre-identification labels and ordered items, such as additional cartons, Group Identification Sheets, and special-version forms.

Test Security

Maintaining Test Security

Maintaining test security before, during, and after testing is crucial. A few important requirements that LEA and school staff can observe when administering summative assessments are as follows:

• Before testing: Prepare the test environment with proper signage and seating and remove or cover instructional materials.
• During testing: Supervise the student(s) and ensure they have access only to allowable resources in a quiet environment.
• After testing: Ensure that no test materials were used for instruction and destroy or return them securely. Maintain test security while entering student responses into the Data Entry Interface and student results into the Teacher Hand Scoring System (as needed).

For a list of requirements, refer to tables 1–4 in the Security of the Test Environment section of the ELPAC Online Test Administration Manual.

Signage

Prepare the following signage to use during test administration:

• Testing—Do Not Disturb
• Unauthorized electronic devices MAY NOT be used at any time during the testing session.

Student Electronic Device and AI Usage

This year, there have already been an unusually high number of incidents reported in the Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System (STAIRS) where students were identified as using cell phones, other electronic devices, or artificial intelligence (AI) during testing. These situations may result in a security breach if test content is exposed online through social media, for example, by saving content to a server or cloud service; or an item or other test content is entered into an AI search chatbot.

LEA ELPAC coordinators should have a protocol in place for managing student electronic devices prior to testing to ensure a secure testing environment. Additionally, test examiners should be reminded to actively monitor students during testing.

When an incident involving an initial or summative assessment occurs, a STAIRS case must be filed within 24 hours. Coordinators should include an accurate and specific description of the case in the STAIRS “Notes” section. The description should indicate whether any photos, videos, or screen captures were made during testing; and whether they were removed from both the device and any social media platform. In addition, if test content was exposed, LEA staff should provide the assessment type and question numbers that were compromised.

Please also note that LEAs with pending STAIRS cases should monitor cases for new notes to ensure prompt communication between parties.

When an incident involving an interim assessment occurs, a site coordinator and LEA coordinator should take the following steps. These incidents do not need to be reported in STAIRS.

1. Ensure that any testing photos, videos, or screen captures are permanently deleted from the device, the cloud, and from social media. This includes any reposts that may have occurred.
2. The site coordinator should contact the LEA coordinator to report the incident.
3. The LEA coordinator should report the incident to the LEA’s assigned Success Agent.

Test Security Resources

• Test Security Guidelines for Test Administrators (10:37)
• Test Security Guidelines for Test Coordinators (10:27)
• Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide
• Test Security web page
• Identifying Testing Improprieties, Irregularities, and Breaches section of the ELPAC Online Test Administration Manual

Reminder

Crisis Alert Response System (CARS)

As part of the process for scoring constructed-response items, responses may be identified that warrant an LEA’s immediate attention. Upon discovery that a response requires attention, the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) notifies the LEA ELPAC coordinator(s) and superintendent via email. Upon receipt, an LEA representative is required to acknowledge the CARS incident by logging on to TOMS, accessing the CARS page, and selecting the [Acknowledge] or [Acknowledge and Archive] button.

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.

April 14: Coffee Session, 2–3 p.m.

These monthly virtual Coffee Sessions, hosted by the California Department of Education 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, register on the Coffee Session Series registration web page. By registering once, you will be eligible to attend all upcoming sessions.

April 16: New Coordinator Training Series #11, 3–4 p.m.

The eleventh session in the New Coordinator Training Webinar Series will focus on gathering feedback and preparing for scores.

Register for this session of the 2025–26 New Coordinator Training Webinar Series.

Educator Involvement Opportunities

Coming Soon! New Educator Meeting Opportunities

New opportunities for the 2026–27 school year will be available on May 14, 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

The March Coffee Session recording is now available on the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page.

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