CAASPP: July Monthly Update
Email Update, July 1, 2024
This communication includes information and updates about the CAASPP.
Announcements
July 3: Systems Resume
On July 3, CAASPP and ELPAC systems will resume operation after being updated to support CAASPP and ELPAC testing. Only users who have a 2024–25 role will keep their 2024–25 role. All roles from 2023–24 will be deactivated. For more information about the July Test Operations Management System (TOMS) rollover, refer to the Preparing to Transition to the 2024–25 Test Administration Year email that was sent to LEA coordinators in May.
July 3: CAASPP & ELPAC Website Launch
The new, combined CAASPP & ELPAC Website will officially launch on July 3, 2024. Starting July 3, the old CAASPP website and ELPAC website will no longer be available. Key web pages from these websites will be redirected to the new website for any users who have created bookmarks using the retired websites.
Confirm the Accuracy of Role Designations in the California School Directory
The TOMS superintendent role is automatically assigned to LEA superintendents and charter school administrators listed in the California School Directory (CSD). Administrators of direct funded charter schools should ensure that the person named in the Administrator field in the CSD is the primary site administrator for the school with the authority to designate roles such as LEA CAASPP coordinator.
Register for 2024–25 Coffee Sessions
Register for the 2024–25 Coffee Session Series. Virtual monthly 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. By registering once, you will be eligible to attend all upcoming sessions.
Urgent Reminders
Complete 2023–24 Interim Assessment Hand Scoring
The 2023–24 interim assessments for English language arts/literacy and mathematics, the California Science Test, and the ELPAC will remain available until August 2, 2024. During the system downtime that begins on August 2, student responses for the interim assessments will be cleared from the Teacher Hand Scoring System (THSS) and will no longer be available for hand scoring.
To ensure that student results from all completed 2023–24 interim assessments appear in the California Educator Reporting System (CERS), all outstanding hand scoring must be completed in the THSS prior to the system downtime on August 2, 2024, at 5 p.m. For more information regarding the 2024–25 interim assessment rollover, refer to the CAASPP and ELPAC: Complete Interim Assessment Hand Scoring email that was sent to LEA coordinators in early June.
Upcoming Trainings
To register or locate additional details about upcoming, including dates, times, or content, visit the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page.
July 8–24: Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series
The CDE invites you to attend the 2024 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series. The 2024 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series will consist of three distinct, independent modules with multiple opportunities to attend. Modules 1 and 2 apply to all interim assessments, while Module 3 includes separate hand scoring sessions tailored to each program's interim assessments.
July 9: Coffee Session, 2–3 p.m.
These virtual monthly Coffee Sessions, hosted by the 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.
July 18: New Coordinator Training Webinar #3: Receiving Scores, 3–4 p.m.
This webinar is the third of the New Coordinator Training series. This webinar will provide information about which assessment results will be received from 2023–24, next steps for LEAs receiving results, and the opt-out process. This webinar will also end with a question and answer session with experienced coordinators. Register for one or more sessions in this series on the 2024–25 New Coordinator Training Webinar Series registration web page.
July 25: Introduction to CERS for Test Coordinators and Administrators, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Register now for the July 2024 Introduction to CERS for Test Coordinators and Administrators webinar. This three-hour online training is designed for staff who have an LEA or site coordinator role in TOMS and are responsible for managing access to CERS for other LEA staff members. This webinar will cover an overview of CERS features, including administrator tools, accessing summative results, and other key features and resources.
Educator Meeting Opportunities
We need your input! California educators are an essential part of the assessment development process. Teachers who work closely with our students provide an important perspective that informs and improves CAASPP and the ELPAC. Meetings are held remotely, and this is an excellent opportunity for participating educators to provide vital input in test composition, accessibility, and implementation.
Opportunities for the 2024–25 test administration year are now available. Details for upcoming meetings can be found on the Get Involved web page on the CAASPP & ELPAC Website.
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.
Available Now!
On-Demand Trainings
The following live trainings were recently posted and are now available on the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page:
Ongoing Reminders
2024 California Assessment Conference Registration is Open!
We are excited to announce that registration for the 2024 California Assessment Conference (CAC) is open now! This year's conference will focus on Strategies for Success: Linking Assessment Tools and Data to Classroom Success.
Register now to join us in person on October 15–17, 2024, in Riverside, CA. This is a unique chance for educators to connect with peers to explore assessment tools and strategies for improved learning and teaching. For more information visit the CAC website.
Summative Assessment Scoring Job Opportunities
ETS applications for scorers. This is an excellent opportunity for educators to become more familiar with the California assessments. Scoring schedules are flexible and can include four-, six-, and eight-hour weekday or weekend shifts. California educators interested in applying can find more information on the ETS 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 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 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. Users can also suggest Additional Questions for the FAQ, which will be reviewed on a regular basis.