ELPAC email update, April 1, 2024.

This communication includes information about the Initial ELPAC, Summative ELPAC, Initial Alternate ELPAC, and Summative Alternate ELPAC.

Reminders

April 1: Last Day to Designate an LEA ELPAC Coordinator

The superintendent designation process for the 2024–25 ELPAC administration must be completed in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) today. The deadline to designate the LEA ELPAC coordinator is April 1, 2024. Once designated, the user can sign the necessary security forms by selecting the LEA ELPAC Coordinator role from the "Logged on as:" drop-down list in the top-right corner of TOMS.

If a primary LEA ELPAC coordinator is not selected by April 15, 2024, the superintendent of the LEA will be automatically assigned to the Primary LEA ELPAC Coordinator role.

April 5: Return Summative ELPAC K–2 Writing Answer Books

The next date to request a pickup of completed Summative ELPAC kindergarten through grade two (K–2) Writing Answer Books for returning to ETS for scoring is April 5, 2024. For a list of all pickup dates, please refer to the List of Key Dates table. The sooner LEAs return K–2 Writing Answer Books, the sooner ETS is able to complete the quality-control process to release Student Score Reports (SSRs).

April 12: 2023–24 Initial ELPAC AST Closes

The 2023–24 Initial ELPAC Administration and Scoring Training (AST) will no longer be available in Moodle after April 12, 2024.

April 22: 2024–25 Initial ELPAC AST Launches

The 2024–25 Initial ELPAC has been updated to include embedded field test items within the two forms requiring all LEAs to participate and complete the AST. The training will be delivered virtually through the Moodle Training Site (Moodle) starting April 22, 2024.

Refer to the Moodle Training Site User Guide on the Moodle home page for helpful information on how to access the training and navigate Moodle.

Initial ELPAC 2024–25: New Forms and Materials

The 2024–25 Initial ELPAC administration will consist of two new forms. This will support the development of items to refresh the operational test form for the 2025–26 Initial ELPAC administration. Form assignments will be available in mid-April on the Form Assignments for the 2024–25 Initial ELPAC Administration web page.

All LEAs must order new Initial ELPAC testing material for the 2024–25 administration. The Initial ELPAC primary order window opens April 15, 2024 and will close on May 10, 2024. Please securely destroy all previous-year Initial ELPAC testing material at the conclusion of the 2023–24 Initial ELPAC administration window.

Form assignments for the 2024–25 Initial ELPAC administration will be made available mid-April. LEAs identified to participate in the Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP) will also be notified in spring 2024 and made available online.

Complete the Required LEA Certification Now

The recommended LEA certification deadline has passed. Any LEAs that are not yet certified must access the statewide Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC ASTs in Moodle prior to the end of the 2023–24 test administration window, May 31, 2024. For the Summative ELPAC, certification is required by all LEAs. Certification for the Summative Alternate ELPAC is required for all LEAs with eligible students.

If the LEA does not have any English learner (EL) students or a very small number, it can enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a neighboring LEA that has agreed to administer the Summative ELPAC in the event the first LEA has a newly enrolled student who requires Summative ELPAC testing or the neighboring LEA may train the test examiners at the first LEA. The LEA entering into an MOU should send an email to elpac@scoe.net to confirm both the MOU and that the neighboring LEA has completed Summative ELPAC training.

Moodle keys are available on the AST website . Please direct questions about Moodle to the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Moodle Support team at moodlesupport@scoe.net.

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 2022–23 ELPAC administration should continue to be evaluated for reclassification before the end of the 2023–24 test administration window. Notifications of eligible students were sent the last week of January 2024 to LEA ELPAC coordinators. Visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Reclassification web page for more information.

Enter Speaking Scores into the DEI

With the Summative ELPAC underway, students testing in the Summative ELPAC Speaking domain must have scores entered in the Data Entry Interface (DEI) after testing. Test examiners administering the Speaking domain must enter scores directly into the DEI at the time of testing or record scores into the Student Score Sheet for later entry.

LEA ELPAC coordinators can use the Summative ELPAC LEA-Level Student Completion Status Summary Report to compare Speaking domain (test delivery system [TDS]) assessments taken against Speaking domain (DEI) entries completed.

Reminder to Use the Test Item Preview Document in Moodle

The secure Test Item Preview (TIP) document for the Summative Alternate ELPAC is aimed to help test examiners prepare and individualize supplemental testing materials needed by an individual student. The TIP is located in the resources section at the bottom of both the LEA certification and test examiner certification courses in. This resource provides educators with item details to prepare AAC devices, collect realia, or determine if the use of alternate response options are required for the student to access the assessment. This secure document is a reflection of what is shown in the TDS without having to log on to the system.

Upcoming Trainings

To register or locate additional details about upcoming trainings, including dates, times, or content, visit the ELPAC Upcoming Training Opportunities web page.

April 9: Coffee Sessions

Virtual Coffee Sessions are hosted by the CDE and ETS and offer opportunities for LEA staff to ask questions and get answers about assessments, trainings, resources, and more. Coffee Sessions are entirely dedicated to answering questions about assessments and topics of interest from testing coordinators and providing timely updates. Register now for the April 2024 Coffee Session .

The next Coffee Session will be held May 14, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m.

April 25: New Coordinator Webinar #5

This webinar, hosted by SCOE, provides information on preparing for summative assessment results and a question and answer session with experienced coordinators. Register now for the April 2024 New Coordinator Webinar #5 .

May 7: Initial ELPAC Overview and Question and Answer Session

It is highly recommended that all ELPAC coordinators or lead trainers attend the Initial ELPAC Overview and Question and Answer Session via Zoom on May 7, 2024, from 3 to 4 p.m. During this session, SCOE will introduce updates to the Initial ELPAC and answer test administration and scoring questions. Register now for the Initial ELPAC What's New Q&A .

May 16: Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS

This two-module session will go over how to access specific 2023–24 summative assessment results in the California Educator Reporting System (CERS), accessing and interpreting individual student reports, and understanding features available for specific assessments (e.g., Lexile and Quantile measures).

• Module 1 will focus on the Summative ELPAC, the Summative Alternate ELPAC, and the California Spanish Assessment. (May 16, 2024, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.)
• Module 2 will focus on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics; the California Science Test; and the California Alternate Assessments for ELA, mathematics, and science. (May 23, 2024, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.)

May 22: Initial Alternate ELPAC Overview and Question and Answer Session

It is highly recommended that all ELPAC coordinators or lead trainers attend the Initial ELPAC Overview and Question and Answer Session via Zoom on May 22, 2024, from 3 to 4 p.m. During this session, SCOE will introduce updates to the Initial ELPAC and answer test administration and scoring questions. Register now for the Initial Alternate ELPAC What's New Q&A .

May 22: Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting

Charter school LEA CAASPP coordinators and LEA ELPAC coordinators are invited to attend this collaborative effort in sharing how charter schools handle statewide assessment administration. Register now for the May 2024 Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting .

Available Now!

Asynchronous Training

The following live training was recently posted and is now available on the ELPAC Asynchronous Training Opportunities web page:

• March 2024 Coffee Session

Understanding the Summative ELPAC SSR

A new Understanding the Summative ELPAC SSR video is now available for parents/guardians. This video can be used at English Language Advisory Committee meetings with parents/guardians at the site and LEA levels. A Spanish version will also be available soon.

Web Page Update

The ELPAC Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page is now available and will be updated with more information and resources as they become available.

Alternate ELPAC Participation and Scoring

To be considered as having participated in the Summative Alternate ELPAC, a response must be indicated using the multiple-choice options or the "Mark as No Response" option in the context menu for, at minimum, one receptive test question and one expressive test question. LEAs can refer to the Alternate ELPAC Participation and Scoring flyer which was updated this year for more information.

Ongoing Reminders

ELPAC Interim Assessments Available to Administer

Information on these new interim assessments is available on the ELPAC Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page.

The ELPAC Interim Assessments Directions for Administration, Training Guides and Exemplars, and Test Content and Answer Keys documents can be accessed electronically in the [Resources] tab in TOMS or can be printed and securely stored to be used just prior to testing.

Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Assignments in TOMS

Newly enrolled students, eligible to be assessed with an initial assessment, must be assessed within the first 30 calendar days of student enrollment; however, students may not have an individualized education program (IEP) designating the student to take an alternate assessment prepared in time. In these instances, the student should be assessed with the Initial ELPAC using universal tools and designated supports as appropriate.

The assignment of the Initial ELPAC does not require students to be assigned to the Summative ELPAC. If the IEP team determines later that the student is eligible to take alternate assessments and the student has been identified as an EL, the student should be assigned the Summative Alternate ELPAC.

Summative ELPAC Form Assignments

Refer to the ELPAC Form Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative ELPAC Administration web page to confirm the LEA's form assignment for the 2023–24 Summative ELPAC administration.

Estimated testing times for each form can be found on the Summative ELPAC: Estimated Testing Times web page.

Summative Alternate ELPAC Form and Second Scoring Assignments

Form assignments and second scoring assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC administration are available on the Form Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Administration web page and the Second Scoring Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Administration web page.

ELPAC Administration for Transitional Kindergarten Students

For 2023–24, LEAs are required to administer the Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC to all eligible students enrolled in kindergarten—including students in transitional kindergarten, which is defined as year one of a two-year kindergarten program. LEAs will continue to follow the same process for identifying potential EL students and annually assessing EL students. Refer to the 2023–24 Initial and Initial Alternate ELPAC Student Data File Layout located on the ELPAC Score Reporting web page for more information.

SSR Electronic Distribution

Ensure SSRs are populated in your student information system for the correct students in a timely manner, as outlined in the Options for Distributing SSRs section of the ELPAC Scoring and Reporting Guide . In addition, ensure that SSRs are properly displayed in such a manner for parents/guardians to be able to access only scores for their own children.

Scoring Job Opportunities

ETS is accepting applications for scorers. This is an excellent opportunity for educators to become more familiar with the new generation of California assessments. Scoring schedules are flexible and can include four-, six-, and eight-hour weekday or weekend shifts. California educators interested in applying can access more information on the 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 ELPAC Monthly Communications

Previous ELPAC monthly communications, as well as other email communications, can be found on the ELPAC Coordinator Emails web page.

Additional Help

• Send direct questions about policies, regulations, and requirements to elpac@cde.ca.gov.
• Contact your region's assigned Success Agent for answers to questions about assessment coordination, development, and administration, as well as for technical support.
• Send direct questions about Moodle , certification, and calibration to moodlesupport@scoe.net.
• Get Answers using this lookup tool available to help LEA coordinators quickly find answers to the most common testing questions. Users can also make suggestions for Additional Questions for the FAQs , which are reviewed on a regular basis.
• Chat with Anita, your virtual assistant, for more LEA help, available on the CAASPP and ELPAC home pages. Unanswered questions will be routed to your assigned LEA Success Agent.

Sincerely,

California Outreach Team

ELPAC website

Contact Us: California Outreach web page