CAASPP Communication: August 2026
Email Update, August 3, 2026
This communication includes information and updates about CAASPP.
Notices
Updating Systems for the 2026–27 Interim Assessments
To prepare for the 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, 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
- Teacher Hand Scoring System
The interim assessments, along with other CAASPP and ELPAC components, will become available for the 2026–27 test administration when system updates are completed, at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Test Security
Test security is everyone’s responsibility all year long!
Interim Assessment Security Agreement
Local educational agencies (LEAs) are encouraged to consider using the optional Sample Interim Assessment Test Security Agreement for any staff who will have access to the CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments. LEAs can adjust the agreement as needed for their local context. Completed forms should be maintained locally and should not be submitted to the California Department of Education (CDE).
TOMS Accounts
Judiciously maintain security in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS). Students’ personally identifiable information and secure materials and resources must always remain secure.
Review the Overview of TOMS User Roles section of the TOMS User Guide to better understand
- users who should be granted TOMS access, and
- system access by role.
STAIRS/Appeals Guide
The Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide has been updated for 2026–27. This guide describes testing incident types and definitions, and it provides the steps for submitting a Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System (STAIRS) case.
Test Security Resources
To learn more about CAASPP and ELPAC test security guidelines and procedures, users should refer to the following videos:
- Test Security Guidelines for Test Administrators and Test Examiners (10:37)
- Test Security Guidelines for Site Coordinators and LEA Coordinators (10:27)
Reminders
TOMS User Rollover
On July 7, 2026, all 2026–27 TOMS roles became available, and all 2025–26 roles were deactivated for both CAASPP and ELPAC.
CAA for Science Resources
The following resources were released in early July for the 2026–27 California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science:
- The 2026–27 CAA for Science form assignments are available on the CAA for Science Form Assignments web page.
- The 2026–27 CAA for Science Preparing for Administration document is available on the Administer a Test Session web page.
- The CAA for Science Administration Planning Guides are available on the CAA for Science Administration Planning Guides web page.
- The 2026–27 LEA CAASPP Coordinator Checklist has been updated and is available for the current test administration.
LEAs should review the Administration Planning Guides at the start of the school year and plan to administer each of the three embedded performance tasks immediately after the relevant unit of instruction. The CAA for Science testing window opens on September 15, 2026.
Accessibility Updates
The following accessibility materials have been updated for the upcoming 2026–27 test administration:
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.
August 5: CALPADS and Assessments Webinar, 2–3 p.m.
The CDE Assessment Development and Administration Division and the CALPADS Office, along with ETS, would like to invite CALPADS administrators and LEA representatives to an informational webinar regarding CALPADS and assessments. Registration for the CALPADS webinar is open.
August 11: 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, you can do so on the Coffee Session Series registration web page. By signing up once, you will be eligible to attend all upcoming sessions.
August 13 and 20: Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting (AAIM)
Hosted by the CDE, these two virtual meeting sessions will provide coordinators, administrators, and LEA staff with the most recent information and developments on California’s assessment and accountability systems. Registration for the 2026–27 AAIM is open.
- Session 1: Assessment Updates
- Date: August 13, 2026
- Time: 2−4:30 p.m.
- Session 2: California School Dashboard and Accountability Updates
- Date: August 20, 2026
- Time: 2−4 p.m.
August 19 and 25: August Site Administrator Assessment Convening
Hosted by the CDE, these two sessions will be presented with the same content for California site administrators who want to hear from CDE staff about the CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments available for 2026–27, CDE sponsored trainings available for administrators and teachers for supporting the use of interim and formative assessments, and other resources available to support teaching and learning.
We ask that LEA coordinators encourage their site coordinators to attend one of the convenings. Registration for the August Site Administrator Assessment Convening is open.
- Session 1
- Date: August 19, 2026
- Time: 9−10 a.m.
- Session 2
- Date: August 25, 2026
- Time: 12−1 p.m.
August 19 and 26: CERS Essentials Training Series, 3:30–4:25 p.m.
This training will support the use of the California Educator Reporting System (CERS). The CERS Essentials Training Series is a set of free, one-hour, topic-focused, live virtual sessions. Register for the CERS Essentials Training Series.
- Session 1: Getting to Know the System
- Date: August 19, 2026
- Session 2: Managing Student Groups as an Administrator
- Date: August 26, 2026
August 27: Video Student Score Report Webinar, 2–3 p.m.
Learn about how to order personalized and engaging video Student Score Reports for Smarter Balanced for English language arts/literacy and mathematics, the Summative ELPAC, and the Initial ELPAC. Registration for the Video Student Score Report Webinar is open.
August 27: New Coordinator Training Webinar: Assessment Systems and TOMS, 3–4 p.m.
This webinar will focus on essential assessment systems, local system connections, configuring testing windows, and how student test assignments work. Register for the New Coordinator Training Series.
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.
- The California Science Test (CAST) Item Review Meetings for grade five and high school begin on January 12, 2027. The application closes on September 23, 2026.
- The CAST Item Review Meetings for grade eight begin on February 2, 2027. The application closes on October 8, 2026.
For a full list of available opportunities, including Smarter Balanced Item Review Meetings, 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
The following recordings are now available on the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page:
- New Coordinator Training Webinar #1: Your Role and the Assessment System
- New Coordinator Training Webinar #2: Managing Users
Previous CAASPP Monthly Communications
Previous CAASPP 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 the Moodle Training Site, certification, and calibration to moodlesupport@scoe.net.
For further support, visit the Contact Us web page.
Sincerely,
California Outreach Team
CAASPP & ELPAC Website