Accessibility Resources

Students with specific learning needs may require accessibility resources to fully engage and demonstrate mastery of content during instruction and on assessments. To better serve them, the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC), including the Alternate ELPAC, provides a wide range of resources to ensure that the administration of the test meets the needs of all students, including those with disabilities. The California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix external icon displays the embedded and non-embedded universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations allowed as part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and ELPAC systems for 2020–21.

Teachers are encouraged to review these resources early in the school year and provide opportunities for students to experience them throughout the year in classroom instruction and assessment. Some resources are embedded into the technology platform for computer-administered tests. Others are considered non-embedded, since they are provided by the local educational agency.

The Importance of Implementing CAASPP and ELPAC Accessibility Resources: Voices from Educators (Video; 08:31) focuses on our conversations with California educators to learn more about the importance of implementing accessibility resources for assessments. This training video serves as a starting point for staff who are developing accessibility processes and deciding how to implement accessibility resources for students.

Types of Student Accessibility Resources

  • Universal tools are available to all students on the basis of student preference and selection.
  • Designated supports are available to all students when determined for use by an educator or team of educators (with parent/guardian and student input, as appropriate) or specified in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.
  • Accommodations must be permitted to all eligible students taking CAASPP and ELPAC tests if specified in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan.
  • Unlisted resources are not universal tools, designated supports, or accommodations. Unlisted resources shall be made available if specified in the eligible student's IEP or Section 504 plan and only with approval from the California Department of Education (CDE).

To preview these student accessibility resources in the test delivery system, visit the Embedded Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and Accommodations Video Tutorials external icon web page.

Test Administration Manuals and Administrative Tools

California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix and Student Assessment Accessibility Graphics

  • CA Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix external icon, a CDE web page, with information about universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations (embedded and non-embedded).
  • Student Accessibility Resources external icon, a CDE web page, with information about California Student Assessment Accessibility graphics, available on the CDE include one-page graphics that show which accessibility resources are available on each assessment.

IEP Resources

Accessibility Training Videos

Embedded Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and Accommodations Demonstration Videos

Configuring Testing Devices for Students with Visual Impairments

Translated Test Directions

2020–2021 CAASPP and ELPAC Special Request for Paper Exams

Please visit the 2020–2021 CAASPP and ELPAC Special Request for Paper Exams external icon web form to request CAASPP and ELPAC braille, large-print, or paper–pencil assessments for students with an IEP or Section 504 plan.

Braille and Large-Print Instructions for the Paper–Pencil Exams

Promotional Links

Additional Resources