ELPAC Communication: July 2026
This communication includes information about the Initial ELPAC, Summative ELPAC, Initial Alternate ELPAC, and Summative Alternate ELPAC.
Notices
July 7: Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC Test Administration Window Opens
The 2026–27 Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC administration will begin July 7, 2026, and continue until June 30, 2027. Student Score Reports (SSRs) will be released within 48 hours of students’ completing and submitting all domains. Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 11518.5(e), Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC testing and parent/guardian notification of results must be done within 30 calendar days after students are first enrolled in a California public school or 60 calendar days prior to instruction, but not before July 1.
LEAs may schedule testing according to local preference within this window and do not need to inform the California Department of Education (CDE) or ETS. All testing must take place within this window. Please note to allow at least 48 hours for student information to be updated in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) after enrollment records have been submitted and processed by CALPADS. The CDE recommends that LEAs schedule testing at least 72 hours after CALPADS submissions have been made.
LEAs should prepare for the start of Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC testing by designating and training test examiners. Test examiners must complete calibration annually through the Moodle Training Site (Moodle). LEA ELPAC coordinators can place supplemental orders for kindergarten through grade two Initial ELPAC Answer Books in TOMS. Materials ordered for 2025–26 can be used for 2026–27 if the Rotating Score Validation Process is not assigned.
July 7: 2026–27 Test Administration Year Rollover
To prepare for the rollover into the 2026–27 school year, system downtime began on June 30, 2026. The rollover of TOMS user roles for the 2026–27 school year will happen on July 7, 2026, for both CAASPP and ELPAC. The 2026–27 TOMS roles will be made available, and all roles from 2025–26 will be deactivated.
July 31: Last Day for 2025–26 Interim Assessments
The 2025–26 CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments will remain available until July 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. Student responses for the interim assessments will be cleared from the Teacher Hand Scoring System (THSS) after 5 p.m. and will no longer be available for hand scoring.
To ensure that student results from all completed 2025–26 interim assessments appear in the California Educator Reporting System (CERS), all outstanding hand scoring must be completed and submitted in the THSS before 5 p.m. on July 31. If the LEA intends for some interim assessment administrations not to have scores sent to CERS, no action is needed, and the responses will be cleared as scheduled.
To prepare for 2026–27 interim assessments, CAASPP and ELPAC systems will be updated from Friday, July 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. to Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 8 a.m. During this time, all CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments will be unavailable for administration, local scoring, and viewing in the following systems:
- Data Entry Interface
- Interim Assessment Viewing System
- Test Delivery System (TDS)
- THSS
The interim assessments will become available for the 2026–27 school year at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Test Security
Security Forms
As new users are designated for the 2026–27 test administration year, ensure users log on to TOMS to sign their security forms before accessing systems or materials. LEA staff who handle test materials but do not access TOMS should sign the 2026–27 ELPAC Test Security Affidavit for Non-TOMS Users.
The optional Sample Interim Assessment Test Security Agreement is available for LEAs to use at their discretion.
Secure Materials
As materials for the 2026–27 Initial ELPAC arrive, protocols should be in place locally to ensure that secure test materials are handled and stored appropriately.
Training and Local Readiness
All staff should complete annual test security training prior to supporting any testing activity. Test security resources can be found on the Test Security web page.
All Moodle LEA certifications and test examiner trainings must be completed as per state regulations.
Active Monitoring
Protect all secure materials and student logon credentials at all times. TOMS and CERS grant access to student personally identifiable information—be judicious about assigning a TOMS account that grants access to CERS.
Ensure active monitoring during all testing, including for interim assessments.
Reminders
First Release of Summative Assessment SSRs
The first releases of Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC SSRs began in May. Families must be notified of Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC results within 30 calendar days if received from the testing contractor during their 2025–26 instructional year or within 15 working days from the beginning of the next instructional school year if received during the summer.
Refer to the Scoring and Reporting Guide to learn more about Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC reporting, including how to interpret results, compare results, and distribute SSRs.
Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC ASTs
The 2026–27 Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC Administration and Scoring Trainings (ASTs) are available in Moodle.
The LEA coordinator, or their designee, must complete the annual statewide LEA certification for the Initial ELPAC by August 10, 2026. Test examiners must complete training and calibration prior to administering the assessment.
Starting with the 2026–27 test administration, the LEA certification for the Initial Alternate ELPAC is required within two weeks of a student’s being assigned to the assessment. When the first student is assigned, LEAs will be sent a notification along with an LEA-specific deadline.
Failure to complete the Initial Alternate ELPAC AST without contacting ETS ahead of time will result in a Tier 2 security audit.
LEAs without students designated as To Be Determined or with limited eligible students may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a neighboring LEA. MOUs must be updated and sent to elpac@scoe.net annually. Visit the Administration and Scoring Training Information section of the Test Administration Trainings and Tutorials web page for more information on MOUs. Extensions can be given if you contact ETS prior to the due date. To request an extension, send an email to CATestSecurity@ets.org.
Reminder to Use the TIP Booklet in Moodle
The secure Test Item Preview (TIP) booklet for the Initial Alternate ELPAC contains all the student-facing, on-screen test content. It is available in Moodle prior to the launch of the assessment without having to log on to the TDS. Test examiners should use the TIP to prepare and individualize supplemental testing materials. The TIP is located in the resources section at the bottom of both the LEA certification and test examiner certification courses in Moodle.
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 2025–26 ELPAC administration should continue to be evaluated for reclassification before the end of the 2026–27 test administration window. The CDE recommends that these students should meet all four reclassification criteria before May 14, 2027; otherwise, they should be administered the 2026–27 Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC.
For students who become eligible for reclassification based on the 2025–26 summative assessment results, this is a reminder that updates to the CALPADS English language acquisition record should align with the students’ active enrollment. A CALPADS Flash has been released, providing guidance on reclassification procedures during the summer.
Visit the CDE Reclassification web page for more information. Email questions related to reclassification to LPLO@cde.ca.gov.
Accessibility Updates
The following accessibility resource updates will be available for the new test administration year:
- Initial ELPAC: A specific grade range of the embedded pause or replay audio designated support for both the Listening and Speaking domains has been removed; this resource is available to all K–12 students.
- Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC: Sensory items was added as a non-embedded designated support. Formerly, this resource was categorized as a non-embedded accommodation.
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.
July 7, 10, and 14: Interim and Formative Assessment Webinar Series
This CDE-sponsored free professional learning opportunity consists of three live webinars focused on the interim and formative components of the CAASPP and ELPAC assessment systems. Register now for the Interim and Formative Assessment Webinar Series.
- Webinar 1: Formative Assessment and Tools for Teachers
- Date: July 7, 2026
- Time: 9–11 a.m.
- Webinar 2: CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments
- Date: July 10, 2026
- Time: 9–11 a.m.
- Webinar 3: Educator Panel and Shared Practices
- Date: July 14, 2026
- Time: 9–10:30 a.m.
July 14: Coffee Session, 2–3 p.m.
These monthly virtual 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, register on the Coffee Session Series registration web page. By registering once, you will be eligible to attend all upcoming sessions.
July 16: New Coordinator Training Webinar: Receiving Results, 3–4 p.m.
This webinar will cover the 2025–26 assessment results LEAs can expect, important follow-up actions, and details about SSRs. Registration for the 2026–27 New Coordinator Training Webinar Series is open.
July 16, 21, 23, 28, and 29: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring Summer Workshop Series, 9–11 a.m.
These free and engaging professional learning online workshops are designed to introduce you to and build your confidence in completing the required hand scoring on the CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments. Register for the Interim Assessment Hand Scoring Summer Workshop Series.
- Workshop 1: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—English Language Arts/Literacy
- Date: July 16, 2026
- Workshop 2: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—Mathematics
- Date: July 21, 2026
- Workshop 3: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—California Science Test
- Date: July 23, 2026
- Workshop 4a: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—ELPAC Speaking
- Date: July 28, 2026
- Workshop 4b: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—ELPAC Writing
- Date: July 29, 2026
July 21: New Coordinator Training Webinar: Prepping Initial ELPAC, 3–4 p.m.
This repeat session of the May New Coordinator Training webinar is designed for newly assigned ELPAC coordinators—or those needing a refresher—to build understanding of the Initial ELPAC process, prepare for testing, learn the requirements for administration and scoring training, and identify key ELPAC tasks. Register now for the 2026–27 New Coordinator Training: Prepping Initial ELPAC—Repeat Session.
Educator Involvement Opportunities
New Educator Meeting Opportunities
New opportunities for the 2026–27 school year are now available. Here is your chance to be involved in, and influence, the development of California testing programs. We need educators like you to provide vital input on test composition, accessibility, and implementation.
For a full list of available opportunities, visit the Get Involved web page. Contact the Educator Opportunities Team by phone at 916-228-2682 or by email at edopportunities@scoe.net with any questions.
On-Demand Trainings and Recordings
A recording of the following training 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