Initial Alternate ELPAC Test Administration
The Initial Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) testing window is administered throughout the year.
In Person Administration
The Initial Alternate ELPAC is administered in person only. LEA ELPAC coordinators should refer to the Initial Alternate ELPAC Online Test Administration Manual 
for information and instructions about test preparation and administration of the computer-based Initial Alternate ELPAC. Please visit the Manuals and Instructions web page for more materials related to the administration of the Alternate ELPAC.
Initial Alternate ELPAC Testing Notification Letter Templates
Parent/Guardian notification letter templates are available on the Parent/Guardian Notification web page to notify parents and guardians about the various testing options that LEAs may employ to complete testing.
Initial Alternate ELPAC Directions for Administration
The Directions for Administration (DFAs) are available for download by navigating to the [Resources] screen on the top navigation bar in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) . Select Initial Alternate ELPAC Directions for Administration (DFAs) from the Available Materials list and download the DFA(s) that match the grade level or grade span of the administration. LEAs also have the option to order printed Alternate ELPAC DFAs for specified grades or grade spans at an additional cost. More information can be found on the ELPAC Fee-based Services web page on the ELPAC website.
Initial Alternate ELPAC Estimated Testing Times
The Initial Alternate ELPAC is an untimed test. Students are allowed as much time as needed to complete the test. For planning purposes, estimated testing times by task type are available on the Alternate ELPAC: Estimated Testing Times web page.
Scoring the Initial Alternate ELPAC
Only a subset of the Initial Alternate ELPAC test questions require scoring by the student's test examiner (TE). These are expressive items that contain a rubric within the DFA. As specified in the DFA, scores are entered in the student's testing interface by the TE. There is no separate interface or system to enter scores into for the Initial Alternate ELPAC.
Participation and Reporting for the Initial Alternate ELPAC
To be considered as having participated in the Initial 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. If a student's test is submitted without a response for at least one expressive test question and one receptive test question, then the student will not be counted as having participated. LEAs can refer to the Alternate ELPAC Participation and Scoring flyer for more information.
Once the participation criteria has been met, Student Score Reports (SSRs) will be produced and available for download in TOMS and made available to parents and guardians through parent or student portals. LEAs will be able to access the official Initial Alternate ELPAC SSRs and results in TOMS within less than 24 hours of the last domain test being scored and submitted for a student.
Students will receive an SSR in English and one in the student's primary language if that language is Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Filipino, Cantonese (traditional Chinese), or Korean. To view a sample SSR in each language, visit the ELPAC Score Reporting web page. If a student needs an SSR in one of the provided languages and that language is not the student's primary language, LEAs should change the language of the SSR in TOMS prior to student testing.
Initial Alternate ELPAC Parent Notification
After participation criteria has been met, LEAs can access the Sample Annual Parent/Guardian Notification Letter on the California Department of Education (CDE) Parent Notification web page. The data file in TOMS can be used to merge with the notification letter.
Calculated English Language Acquisition Status (ELAS)
The calculated ELAS results of either EL or initial fluent English proficient (IFEP) will be sent from TOMS to the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) through a nightly file transfer. LEAs will need to run the Student English Language Acquisition extract from CALPADS to upload the ELAS into their student information system.
Accessibility Resources
Test examiners may make the determination that a student will benefit from an embedded or non-embedded designated support immediately before or during test administration. The test examiner may assign accessibility resources prior to testing in TOMS or directly in the Test Administrator Interface during testing for the Initial Alternate ELPAC. More information about accessibility resources can be found on the ELPAC Accessibility Resources web page.
Test Security
LEA ELPAC coordinators and site ELPAC coordinators can:
- Submit STAIRS cases in TOMS
- Refer to the CAASPP and ELPAC Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide and the Test Security web page for more information