ELPAC: Reminder to Place Primary Orders for Initial ELPAC K–2 Writing

Email Update, April 13, 2026

Dear Select LEA ELPAC Coordinator:

The Initial ELPAC is a computer-based assessment, with students in kindergarten through grade two (K–2) taking the Writing domain using paper–pencil testing forms. The primary order window opens in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) on April 14, 2026, and closes on May 8, 2026. Primary orders will arrive during the week of May 11, 2026, with the last delivery arriving the week of May 25, 2026.

In TOMS, the primary test materials order is placed by selecting the [Orders] tab in the navigation bar and then selecting the [Place Primary Order] action tab. To complete the order, follow the instructions on the Place Primary Order screen. For additional help, refer to the Place Primary Order section in the TOMS User Guide.

Once a primary order has been submitted, the LEA cannot place another primary order. Instead, the LEA must wait until May 11, 2026, to submit a supplemental order during the supplemental order window for materials needed in addition to those in the primary order.

Initial ELPAC primary orders come in bundles of five Answer Books. This is a new bundle quantity for 2026–27, decreasing from 10 books per bundle. Each school’s order will be rounded up to a complete bundle of five. A 10 percent overage, based on the total number of Answer Books ordered for schools, will be sent to the LEA as an additional supply. The 10 percent overage will also be rounded up to a complete bundle.

Note that nonscannable materials received during the 2025–26 administration can be reused for 2026–27 for LEAs not participating in the Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP). LEAs should inventory nonscannable 2025–26 materials before submitting their primary order for 2026–27.

For information about the primary and supplemental order dates, refer to the Ordering Test Materials web page.

RSVP for the Initial ELPAC

Each year, approximately 10 percent of LEAs in California are selected by the California Department of Education (CDE) to participate in the RSVP for the Initial ELPAC. This process helps to produce item statistics for the Initial ELPAC and validates the LEA’s scores for that testing period. LEAs participating in the RSVP will receive scannable versions of Writing Answer Books, along with further instructions, without the need for additional action when placing their order.

Note that LEAs chosen to participate in the RSVP must place a new order for 2026–27 and cannot reuse Answer Books received during prior administrations.

Participants for 2026–27 can be found on the RSVP for the Initial ELPAC web page on the CAASPP & ELPAC Website. LEAs can use the lookup tool to verify whether their LEA has been assigned to participate in the RSVP. In addition, LEAs chosen to participate will receive a separate email in April 2026 to notify them of their selection to participate.

Direct any questions about test material orders to the LEA’s assigned LEA Success Agent. For further support, visit the Contact Us web page.

Sincerely,

California Outreach Team
CAASPP & ELPAC Website