ELPAC Communication: November 2025
Email Update, November 3, 2025
This communication includes information about the Initial ELPAC, Summative ELPAC, Initial Alternate ELPAC, and Summative Alternate ELPAC.
Notice
2024–25 California Test Results Public Release
The 2024–25 ELPAC results have been released to the public and are available on the Test Results for California’s Assessments website. Aggregate results for Initial ELPAC, Initial Alternate ELPAC, Summative ELPAC, and Summative Alternate ELPAC scores are available now.
California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix
The California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix has been updated and posted to the California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix web page. The California student accessibility graphics are in the process of being updated and will be posted to the Accessibility Resource Graphics web page by the end of the month. Accessibility resources should be assigned to a student on the basis of individual need, as determined by the student’s educational team.
Summative ELPAC Primary Orders for K–2 Test Materials
The primary order window for Summative ELPAC kindergarten through grade two (K–2) test materials opens on November 3, 2025, and closes on December 19, 2025. Primary orders will arrive the week of January 12, 2026. Primary orders can be placed through the Test Operations Management System (TOMS). A physical business address must be entered into TOMS prior to placing an order. For security reasons, post office boxes and residential addresses are not acceptable.
FedEx Replaces UPS for PPT Deliveries and Returns
FedEx will be the new carrier for paper–pencil test deliveries and returns. A new returns portal will be live in December. Complete return instructions will be included with orders for PPT materials. Other changes for PPT orders include the following:
- PPTs sent to the LEA are bundled in packs of 5 instead of 10.
- Materials are returned to North Carolina instead of New Jersey.
Test Security
Required Trainings
Completion of all ELPAC test administration trainings is mandatory to ensure accurate and appropriate test administration and scoring. Failure to complete required LEA ELPAC coordinator trainings by the established deadlines may result in a Tier 2 audit.
To prepare for ELPAC or the Alternate ELPAC, LEA ELPAC coordinators and test examiners must complete Administration and Scoring Training (AST) through the Moodle Training Site (Moodle).
Information about the Summative ELPAC AST includes the following:
- Training is available for LEA ELPAC coordinators and ELPAC test examiners.
- The training window opened on October 20, 2025.
- The deadline for all LEA coordinators is December 8, 2025.
- Test examiners must complete training prior to testing.
Information about the Summative Alternate ELPAC ASTs, which are required for LEAs that have students assigned to the Alternate ELPAC, includes the following:
- Training is available for LEA ELPAC coordinators and ELPAC test examiners.
- The training window opens today, November 3, 2025.
- LEA coordinator training must be completed within two weeks of registering an eligible student.
- Test examiners must complete training prior to testing.
An LEA with minimal eligible enrollments can enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a neighboring LEA. To confirm the MOU, LEAs must email the signed MOU to elpac@scoe.net to confirm that the neighboring LEA has completed the required training. MOUs must be updated annually.
Visit the Test Administration Trainings and Tutorials web page for a complete list of required trainings and deadlines.
Interim Assessments and Test Security
The ELPAC interim assessments are optional tests designed to measure student progress and inform instruction. They must not be used for high-stakes decisions, including
- special education identification,
- gifted or talented identification,
- student grade promotion or retention, or
- reclassification of English learners.
Note that only employees of the LEA may be granted TOMS accounts or access to any interim assessment content, including test items or scoring guides and exemplars.
Posting any assessment content online is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement and a potential security breach. This includes posting items to social media, online classroom systems, and AI applications.
You may use the Sample Interim Assessment Test Security Agreement, found on the Test Security web page, as a reference to establish and reinforce proper protocols for using interim assessments. Although a test security agreement is not required by the state for interim assessments, this form may be used at the discretion of the LEA and may be modified as needed for local use.
Reminders
RSVP Deadline to Return Answer Books
Monthly returns of Answer Books for LEAs assigned to participate in the Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP) should continue monthly. Students tested October 6 to October 31, 2025, will receive pre-identification labels and Group Identification Sheets by November 17, 2025. The last day to ship Answer Books is December 8, 2025.
Practice Test and Training Test Enhancements
The 2025–26 enhancements to accessibility resources in the Test Delivery System are now available in the practice tests and training tests as well as for ELPAC Interim Assessments. Refer to the What’s New in 2025–26 section of the Accessibility Guide after its release this fall for a full list of new and updated resources. These enhancements will be available for the Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC.
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.
November 3: Summative ELPAC AST Overview and Q&A
This question and answer session will provide updates to the AST and will answer questions about the upcoming Summative ELPAC administration.
Registration is still open for the November 2025 Summative ELPAC AST Overview and Q&A.
November 18, 2025: Coffee Session, 2–3 p.m.
The 2025–26 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. LEA coordinators are recommended to register annually on the Coffee Session Series registration web page. By registering once, you will be eligible to attend all upcoming sessions.
November 19: Charter School Assessment Coordinator Quarterly Network Meeting, 9:30–11 a.m.
The virtual Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network meeting will offer targeted support to charter school coordinators and administrators through the sharing of assessment updates, best practices, and support networks. The quarterly meeting will focus on the following:
- Preparation for CAASPP and ELPAC administration
- Dashboard release
- Other assessment considerations
- A networking opportunity with coordinators from across the state
Register now for the November 2025 Charter School Assessment Coordinator Quarterly Network Meeting.
November 19: Summative Alternate ELPAC AST Overview and Q&A, 3–4 p.m.
This question and answer session will cover updates to the AST and will answer questions for the upcoming Summative Alternate ELPAC administration. LEA ELPAC coordinators and all LEA staff responsible for Alternate ELPAC training, especially new trainers, are encouraged to attend.
Registration is open for the November 2025 Summative Alternate ELPAC AST Overview and Q&A.
November 20: New Coordinator Training Webinar #7, 3–4 p.m.
The seventh session of the New Coordinator Training Webinar series will focus on preparing LEA CAASPP coordinators and LEA ELPAC coordinators for testing.
Register now for the 2025–26 New Coordinator Training Webinar Series.
January and February 2026: Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series
This CDE-hosted webinar series will consist of three independent webinars and will feature California teachers, and administrators sharing local formative assessments practices. Each webinar will focus on a different resource featured within the Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers website, including formative assessment and accessibility strategies, instructional resources for science, and professional learning resources for English language development. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to attend!
Register now for the Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series.
Educator Meeting Opportunities
Do not miss out on exciting opportunities to help shape the future of California’s assessments. Educator meetings for ELPAC and the Alternate ELPAC are now available. Apply now for the Summative ELPAC Writing Range Finding to be held in March and April 2026. Application closes on November 17, 2025.
To apply for item review, data review, and range finding 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.
More information is available on the Get Involved web page.
Available Now!
On-Demand Trainings and Recordings
Recordings of the following trainings are 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
- Direct questions about policies, regulations, and requirements to elpac@cde.ca.gov.
- 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.
- Get Answers from a user-friendly lookup tool available to help LEA coordinators quickly find answers to the most common testing questions.
For further support, visit the Contact Us web page.
Sincerely,
California Outreach Team
CAASPP & ELPAC Website