ELPAC email update, December 2, 2020.

ELPAC Monthly Communication

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

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Please mark your calendars!

Alternate ELPAC Operational Field Test Update

The California Department of Education is pursuing the recommendation to postpone the Alternate ELPAC Operational Field Test. Once received, confirmation of this decision will be communicated with LEAs. As has been done in previous years, and on the basis of past practices, LEAs will need to administer a locally determined alternate assessment during the Summative ELPAC testing window.

Eligible students who are registered for the Alternate ELPAC and as determined by their individualized educational program team should be tested following county health guidelines. Certification and training of test examiners for the Alternate ELPAC can be suspended for the 2020–21 Summative ELPAC administration.

December 3, 2020

Pretest Workshop Virtual Training

Please join us for this year's virtual CAASPP and ELPAC Pretest Workshop. This training will provide attendees with the information needed to successfully prepare for and administer the spring assessments. Registration is available . Sessions 1, 2, and 3 will be offered twice, once in December and once in January, to give participants multiple options to view and participate in the training.

Thursday, December 3, 2020

• Session 2, 9–11 a.m.
• Session 3, 1–3 p.m.

Monday, January 11, 2021

• Session 1, 1–3 p.m.

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

• Session 2, 9–11 a.m.
• Session 3, 1–3 p.m.

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

• Question and Answer Session, 2–3 p.m.

Thursday, January 21, 2021

• Question and Answer Session, 10–11 a.m.

December 4, 2020

Complete the Summative ELPAC LEA Certification Course

The Summative ELPAC Administration and Scoring Training (AST) modules opened on October 19, 2020, in the Moodle Training Site (Moodle). The local educational agency (LEA) ELPAC coordinator or a designee must complete either the kindergarten through grade twelve course or the grades six through twelve course by December 4, 2020. At the end of the LEA Certification Course, a certificate of completion is issued, and this marks the LEA's training requirement as complete.

LEA ELPAC coordinators responsible for multiple LEAs should alert the Sacramento County Office of Education, at elpac@scoe.net , when the LEA Certification Course is completed so the certification will satisfy the training requirement for all related LEAs.

Test examiners should complete Summative ELPAC Speaking certification for the grade or grade spans they are administering prior to testing.

Summative ELPAC AST binders are being shipped to LEAs who have requested them. In order to receive training materials, LEAs must complete the registration process described on the Computer-based Summative Administration and Scoring Trainings web page.

December 21, 2020

Summative ELPAC Test Materials Ordering Window Closes

LEAs can use the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) to order Writing domain testing materials for kindergarten through grade two. To do this, navigate to the Orders > [Primary Order] tab in TOMS. Orders can be placed during the following ordering windows:

• Primary materials ordering window: November 2–December 21, 2020
• Supplemental materials ordering window: January 15–May 14, 2021

Orders placed in November will be delivered the week of December 14, 2020. Orders placed in December will be delivered the week of January 11, 2021. Prior to ordering, please check that the shipping address in TOMS is correct to ensure that materials are delivered to the right location. The shipping address must be a physical location; materials cannot be shipped to a post office box.

Ongoing Reminders!

Test Security Affidavit for Non-TOMS Users

LEA staff who have access to secure ELPAC materials, but do not require access to TOMS, must complete the 2020–2021 Test Security Affidavit for Non TOMS Users form. Site ELPAC coordinators require all non-TOMS users, including proctors and LEA staff with access to secure materials, to sign and submit the test security affidavit. Upon staff members' completion of this form, the listed site ELPAC coordinator will receive a confirmation email. LEA ELPAC coordinators can reach out to the California Technical Assistance Center (CalTAC) to request a list of users who have signed this form.

Upcoming Office Hours for the Summative ELPAC ASTs

Beginning in November, office hours will be held—via Zoom—to answer test administration questions for the Summative ELPAC. Questions can be submitted via the Zoom link located within Moodle. LEA coordinators have already received an email with details. The scheduled dates and times are as follows:

• Thursday, January 14, 2021: 1–2 p.m.

Support for New LEA ELPAC Coordinators

Are you new to the role of LEA ELPAC coordinator? The California Department of Education offers a variety of trainings throughout the year to support you in this new role. Visit the 2020–21 Training Opportunities web page and use the filtering options to display the events most relevant to you.

Available Now!

Manuals, Instructions, and Quick Reference Guides

• 2020–2021 Guide to CAASPP and ELPAC Completion Status web document
• How to Complete the Computer-Based Initial ELPAC Process and the Correction of Classification Process web document

Videos

• Introduction to the Alternate ELPAC For Parents video
  • The Introduction to the Alternate ELPAC for Parents video provides information about the Alternate ELPAC, including its purpose, an explanation of who takes the test, and a description of how students can use a preferred communication mode to respond to questions.
• Downloading Student Score Reports (SSRs) in TOMS video
• October 2020 New Coordinator Webinar #3 video
• November 2020: CDE Assessment Update Webinar video

Website Updates

• The Accessibility Resources web page has been moved under the [Resources] tab.
• Alternate ELPAC Resources web page
• Alternate ELPAC Practice Test DFAs web page

Access to Previous ELPAC Monthly Communications

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

General questions about the ELPAC should be directed to CalTAC, by phone at 800-955-2954 or by email at caltac@ets.org.

Sincerely,

California Technical Assistance Center
Educational Testing Service
Phone: 800-955-2954
Email: caltac@ets.org
Website: https://www.elpac.org/