CAASPP: November Monthly Update
Email Update, November 1, 2024
This communication includes information and updates about CAASPP.
Urgent Reminders
Setting Up Test Administration Windows
LEA CAASPP coordinators can now set up CAASPP test administration windows in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS). The deadline for setting up a 2024–25 CAASPP test administration window is December 1, 2024. LEAs may need to set up more than one test administration window for schools with varying instructional dates. Up to six windows can be configured per LEA.
For more information, refer to the following resources:
Upcoming Dates
November 12: Coffee Session, 2–3 p.m.
These 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. 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.
November 21 and December 12: New Coordinator Training Webinars #7 and #8, 3–4 p.m.
Register for one or more sessions of the 2024–25 New Coordinator Training Webinar Series. This training series is held from 3 to 4 p.m. on various dates throughout the year to provide just-in-time information for LEA CAASPP coordinators and LEA ELPAC coordinators. Webinar #7, held on November 21, and Webinar #8, held on December 12, will focus on information to help coordinators prepare for testing. These webinars will end with a question and answer session with experienced coordinators.
Educator Opportunities
Apply now! Here is your chance to be involved in and influence the development of California assessment programs. Teachers who work closely with students provide an important perspective that informs and improves the CAASPP and ELPAC. This is an excellent opportunity for participating educators to provide vital input in test composition, accessibility, and implementation. Meetings are held virtually, and compensation may be available. Refer to the following for details on the California Science Test (CAST) and California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics item review meetings:
- CAST Item Review Meeting—(grade eight): March 11, 12, and 18, 2025. Applications close November 13, 2024.
- CAAs for ELA and Mathematics Item Review Meeting: March 25–26 and April 2–3, 2025. Applications close December 6, 2024.
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
Recordings of the following trainings are now available on the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page:
- October 2024 Coffee Session
- Lexile and Quantile Training Series
- Supporting Students with Interim Assessments – Shared Practices Webinar Series
Ongoing Reminders
Blueprint Change for the CSA
In September 2024, the California State Board of Education (SBE) approved revisions to the test blueprint and addendum to the high-level test design for the California Spanish Assessment (CSA), removing the speaking domain from the assessments for grades three through eight beginning with the 2024–25 test administration. The speaking domain will remain as a part of the high school grade band, as intended to meet, in part, the requirements for the State Seal of Biliteracy. Furthermore, the full-write constructed-response items will remain for all assessments in grades three through eight and high school. Based on LEA feedback and to reduce the burden on LEAs and test administrators, all speaking and writing constructed-response items will be scored by the testing vendor, ETS. There will be no local scoring by the LEA for the CSA, and therefore, no required scoring training for LEAs. More details about the CSA will be provided as they become available. Refer to the September 11 Board item for additional information on the revisions that were approved by the SBE.
2024–25 CAA Test Examiner Tutorial Available in Moodle
The 2024–25 CAA Test Examiner Tutorial is available on the Moodle Training Site (Moodle). The CAA Test Examiner Tutorial covers general information and highlights best practices for the administration of the CAA for Science and the CAAs for ELA and mathematics. The tutorial does not contain any secure content.
The CAA Test Examiner Tutorial contains three sections—General Requirements, CAA for Science, and CAAs for ELA and Mathematics. All test examiners must complete the General Requirements section of the tutorial and at least one subject area section to receive a certificate of completion. Test examiners must complete this training prior to testing. Test administrators who are second scoring for the CAA for ELA must complete the General Requirements section and the CAAs for ELA and Mathematics section of the tutorial prior to second scoring.
Test examiners will need their enrollment key from their LEA coordinator to access the training. LEA coordinators can track test examiner certificate completion in Moodle.
CAA for Science Administration
The CAA for Science is available for testing. CAASPP test examiners are encouraged to build their curriculum to allow eligible students to take an embedded performance task during each quarter, following related instruction in each science domain. The four CAA for Science embedded performance tasks can be administered in any order.
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.
For further support, visit the Contact Us web page.