ELPAC Communication: May 2024
Email Update, May 1, 2024
This communication includes information about the Initial ELPAC, Summative ELPAC, Initial Alternate ELPAC, and Summative Alternate ELPAC.
Reporting Notice
Summative ELPAC: Grade 3–12 Score Release Update
Due to additional quality control measures, the release of the Summative ELPAC 2023–24 Student Score Reports (SSRs) for grades three through twelve will be delayed and combined with kindergarten through grade two. ETS' expected delivery of early May for SSRs has now been adjusted to release in late May for availability of SSRs in both TOMS and Student Information Systems (SIS). The ELPAC website has been updated to reflect this new release timeline. Results will be available for educators to view in CERS one day after they are available in TOMS.
Upcoming Dates & Reminders
April 15: Last Day to Designate an LEA ELPAC Coordinator has passed
The superintendent designation process for the 2024–25 ELPAC administration deadline has passed. The deadline to designate the LEA ELPAC coordinator was April 1, 2024.
If a primary LEA ELPAC coordinator was not selected by April 15, 2024, the superintendent of the LEA was automatically assigned as the primary LEA ELPAC coordinator role. Superintendents who have been assigned as the primary LEA ELPAC coordinator will need to add an additional coordinator and appoint them as the primary LEA ELPAC coordinator in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS).
May 3: Return Summative ELPAC K–2 Writing Answer Books
The next date to request a pickup of completed Summative ELPAC kindergarten through grade two (K–2) Writing Answer Books for returning to ETS for scoring is May 3, 2024. For a list of all pickup dates, please refer to the List of Key Dates table. The sooner LEAs return K–2 Writing Answer Books, the sooner ETS is able to complete the quality-control process to release SSRs.
May 7: New CAASPP & ELPAC Website Soft Launch
The California Department of Education (CDE) and ETS are excited to soft-launch the new CAASPP & ELPAC Website on May 7, 2024. This soft launch offers LEA CAASPP coordinators an opportunity to preview the new combined CAASPP & ELPAC Website prior to the official launch in July 2024. During the soft-launch period, caaspp.org and elpac.org will remain available and up to date. LEA CAASPP coordinators will receive an email on May 7 with more information about the website soft launch.
May 8: Initial Alternate ELPAC AST Launch
The 2024–25 Initial Alternate ELPAC Administration and Scoring Training (AST) will open on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. This course is for LEA-level assessment staff only, and functions as both a separate LEA certification course and as a supplement to the annual Summative Alternate ELPAC—LEA Certification course. Each LEA that has students eligible to take the Initial Alternate ELPAC is required to have at least one staff member complete both this course and the Summative Alternate ELPAC—LEA Certification course. More information can be found on the Alternate ELPAC AST web page.
May 21: CAASPP & ELPAC Website Redesign Demonstration
Registration is now open for the CAASPP & ELPAC Website Redesign Demonstration. In this webinar, ETS will introduce and demonstrate features of the newly redesigned CAASPP & ELPAC Website. This demonstration will be held on May 21, 2024, from 2–3 p.m.
July 3: 2024–25 TOMS User Rollover
This year, the rollover of TOMS user roles for the 2024–25 school year will happen on July 3, 2024, for both CAASPP and ELPAC. 2024–25 TOMS roles will be made available, and all roles from 2023–24 will be deactivated.
Although the TOMS user rollover will occur on July 3, 2024, the 2023–24 interim assessments will remain available until August 1, 2024, when the August system downtime begins. An email will be sent to LEA coordinators in late May to provide more detail about what to expect and how to prepare for the 2024–25 interim assessments rollover.
Initial ELPAC 2024–25: New Forms and Materials
The 2024–25 Initial ELPAC administration will consist of two new forms. This will support the development of items to refresh the operational test form for the 2025–26 Initial ELPAC administration. Form assignments are available on the Form Assignments for the 2024–25 Initial ELPAC Administration web page.
All LEAs must order new Initial ELPAC testing material for the 2024–25 administration. The Initial ELPAC primary order window opened on April 15, 2024, and will close on May 10, 2024. Please securely destroy all previous-year Initial ELPAC testing material at the conclusion of the 2023–24 Initial ELPAC administration window.
Form assignments for the 2024–25 Initial ELPAC administration have been posted on the Form Assignments for the 2024–25 Initial ELPAC Administration web page.
Initial ELPAC 2024–25: RSVP
LEAs participating in the Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP) can access the web page to find their assignment, administration details, mandatory steps for returning K–2 Answer Books, and information related to the Comparison Report.
Reclassification Reminder
Students who scored at Summative ELPAC Overall Performance Level (PL) 4 and students who scored at Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3 for the 2022–23 ELPAC administration should continue to be evaluated for reclassification before the end of the 2023–24 test administration window. Notifications of eligible students were sent the last week of January 2024 to LEA ELPAC coordinators. Visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Reclassification web page for more information.
Enter Speaking Scores into the DEI
With the Summative ELPAC underway, students testing in the Summative ELPAC Speaking domain must have scores entered in the Data Entry Interface (DEI) after testing. Test examiners administering the Speaking domain must enter scores directly into the DEI at the time of testing or record scores into the Student Score Sheet for later entry.
LEA ELPAC coordinators can use the Summative ELPAC LEA-Level Student Completion Status Summary Report to compare Speaking domain (test delivery system [TDS]) assessments taken against Speaking domain (DEI) entries completed.
Reminder to Use the Test Item Preview Document in Moodle
The secure Test Item Preview (TIP) document for the Summative Alternate ELPAC is aimed to help test examiners prepare and individualize supplemental testing materials needed by an individual student. The TIP is located in the resources section at the bottom of both the LEA certification and test examiner certification courses in Moodle. This resource provides educators with item details to prepare AAC devices, collect realia, or determine if the use of alternate response options is required for the student to access the assessment. This secure document is a reflection of what is shown in the TDS without having to log on to the system.
Upcoming Trainings
To register or locate additional details about upcoming trainings, including dates, times, or content, visit the ELPAC Upcoming Training Opportunities web page.
May 7: Initial ELPAC Overview and Question and Answer Session
It is highly recommended that all ELPAC coordinators or lead trainers attend the Initial ELPAC Overview and Question and Answer Session via Zoom on May 7, 2024, from 3 to 4 p.m. During this session, SCOE will introduce updates to the Initial ELPAC and answer test administration and scoring questions. Register now for the Initial ELPAC What's New Q&A.
May 14: Coffee Sessions
Virtual Coffee Sessions are hosted by the CDE and ETS and offer opportunities for LEA staff to ask questions and get answers about assessments, trainings, resources, and more. Coffee Sessions are entirely dedicated to answering questions about assessments and topics of interest from testing coordinators and providing timely updates. Register now for the May 2024 Coffee Session.
The next Coffee Session will be held June 11, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m.
May 16: Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS
This two-module session will go over how to access specific 2023–24 summative assessment results in the California Educator Reporting System (CERS), accessing and interpreting individual student reports, and understanding features available for specific assessments (e.g., Lexile and Quantile measures).
- Module 1 will focus on the Summative ELPAC, the Summative Alternate ELPAC, and the California Spanish Assessment. (May 16, 2024, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.)
- Module 2 will focus on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics; the California Science Test; and the California Alternate Assessments for ELA, mathematics, and science. (May 23, 2024, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.)
May 22: Initial Alternate ELPAC Overview and Question and Answer Session
It is highly recommended that all ELPAC coordinators or lead trainers attend the Initial Alternate ELPAC Overview and Question and Answer Session via Zoom on May 22, 2024, from 3 to 4 p.m. During this session, SCOE will answer test administration and scoring questions. Register now for the Initial Alternate ELPAC What's New Q&A.
May 22: Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting
Charter school LEA CAASPP coordinators and LEA ELPAC coordinators are invited to attend this collaborative effort in sharing how charter schools handle statewide assessment administration. Register now for the May 2024 Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting.
Available Now!
Asynchronous Training
The following live training was recently posted and is now available on the ELPAC Asynchronous Training Opportunities web page:
Understanding the Summative ELPAC SSR
Summative ELPAC student score reports have been updated for this administration. A new Understanding the Summative ELPAC SSR video is now available for parents/guardians. This video can be used at English Language Advisory Committee meetings with parents/guardians at the site and LEA levels. We recommend your LEA include this link wherever your LEA is providing SSRs to parents. A Spanish version will also be available soon.
Web Page Update
The ELPAC Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page is now available and will be updated with more information and resources as they become available.
Alternate ELPAC Participation and Scoring
To be considered as having participated in the Summative Alternate ELPAC, a response must be indicated using the multiple-choice options or the "Mark as No Response" option in the context menu for, at minimum, one receptive test question and one expressive test question. LEAs can refer to the Alternate ELPAC Participation and Scoring flyer which was updated this year for more information.
Ongoing Reminders
2024–25 Initial ELPAC AST Is Available
The 2024–25 Initial ELPAC has been updated to include embedded field test items within the two forms requiring all LEAs to participate and complete the AST. The training will be delivered virtually through the Moodle Training Site (Moodle).
Refer to the Moodle Training Site User Guide on the Moodle home page for helpful information on how to access the training and navigate Moodle.
ELPAC Interim Assessments Available to Administer
Information on these new interim assessments is available on the ELPAC Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page. Please note, the 2023–24 interim assessments will remain available until Friday, August 2, 2024 at 5.p.m.
The ELPAC Interim Assessments Directions for Administration, Training Guides and Exemplars, and Test Content and Answer Keys documents can be accessed electronically in the [Resources] tab in TOMS or can be printed and securely stored to be used just prior to testing.
Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Assignments in TOMS
Newly enrolled students, eligible to be assessed with an initial assessment, must be assessed within the first 30 calendar days of student enrollment; however, students may not have an individualized education program (IEP) designating the student to take an alternate assessment prepared in time. In these instances, the student should be assessed with the Initial ELPAC using universal tools and designated supports as appropriate.
The assignment of the Initial ELPAC does not require students to be assigned to the Summative ELPAC. If the IEP team determines later that the student is eligible to take alternate assessments and the student has been identified as an EL, the student should be assigned the Summative Alternate ELPAC.
Summative ELPAC Form Assignments
Refer to the ELPAC Form Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative ELPAC Administration web page to confirm the LEA's form assignment for the 2023–24 Summative ELPAC administration.
Estimated testing times for each form can be found on the Summative ELPAC: Estimated Testing Times web page.
Summative Alternate ELPAC Form and Second Scoring Assignments
Form assignments and second scoring assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC administration are available on the Form Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Administration web page and the Second Scoring Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Administration web page.
ELPAC Administration for Transitional Kindergarten Students
For 2023–24, LEAs are required to administer the Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC to all eligible students enrolled in kindergarten—including students in transitional kindergarten, which is defined as year one of a two-year kindergarten program. LEAs will continue to follow the same process for identifying potential EL students and annually assessing EL students. Refer to the 2023–24 Initial and Initial Alternate ELPAC Student Data File Layout located on the ELPAC Score Reporting web page for more information.
SSR Electronic Distribution
Ensure SSRs are populated in your student information system for the correct students in a timely manner, as outlined in the Options for Distributing SSRs topic of the ELPAC Scoring and Reporting Guide. In addition, ensure that SSRs are properly displayed in such a manner for parents/guardians to be able to access only scores for their own children.
Scoring Job Opportunities
ETS is accepting applications for scorers. This is an excellent opportunity for educators to become more familiar with the new generation of California assessments. Scoring schedules are flexible and can include four-, six-, and eight-hour weekday or weekend shifts. California educators interested in applying can access more information on the Online Scoring web page. Questions about the application or hiring process should be directed to etsrater@ets.org. Current scorers can reach out to ratercertify@ets.org for any scoring-related questions.
Previous ELPAC Monthly Communications
Previous ELPAC monthly communications, as well as other email communications, can be found on the ELPAC Coordinator Emails web page.
Additional Help
- Send direct questions about policies, regulations, and requirements to elpac@cde.ca.gov.
- Contact your region's assigned Success Agent for answers to questions about assessment coordination, development, and administration, as well as for technical support.
- Send direct questions about Moodle, certification, and calibration to moodlesupport@scoe.net.
- Get Answers using this lookup tool available to help LEA coordinators quickly find answers to the most common testing questions. Users can also make suggestions for Additional Questions for the FAQs, which are reviewed on a regular basis.
- Chat with Anita, your virtual assistant, for more LEA help, available on the CAASPP and ELPAC home pages. Unanswered questions will be routed to your assigned LEA Success Agent.