Initial ELPAC Test Administration
The Initial English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) testing window is July 1–June 30.
Due to the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the decision for schools to continue with distance learning, the 30-day deadline has been extended by 45-days, for a total of 75 days. The 2020–21 Initial ELPAC will be available to administer either online in the test delivery system (TDS) or using the paper-based Initial ELPAC. These two options are available until the end of the administration year on June 30, 2021. Local educational agencies (LEAs) that decide to administer the paper-based Initial ELPAC should test using existing, unused, 2019–20 materials. This web page provides details for each of the two test options for the Initial ELPAC.
2021–22 Computer-based Initial ELPAC
In Person and Remote Administration
The Initial ELPAC is available to be administered in person or remotely. Local educational agency (LEA) ELPAC coordinators should refer to the 2021–22 Initial ELPAC Online Test Administration Manual (Coming Soon) for information and instructions about test preparation and administration of the computer-based Initial ELPAC, as well as the paper-based test for the Writing domain for students in kindergarten through grade two.
Initial ELPAC Writing Test Materials Orders
LEAs will use the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) 
to order Writing domain testing materials for kindergarten through grade two. Orders for 2021–22 Initial ELPAC test materials can be placed during the following order windows:
| Type of Test Materials Order | Order Window Opens | Order Window Closes | Earliest Delivery Date | Latest Delivery Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Test Materials Order | April 1, 2021 | May 7, 2021 | May 10, 2021 | June 4, 2021 |
| Supplemental Test Materials Order | May 10, 2021 | June 10, 2022 | June 7, 2021 | June 24, 2022 |
Materials Ordering Windows
An LEA ELPAC coordinator can place standard and special version test materials in TOMS or by calling the California Technical Assistance Center (CalTAC) at 800-955-2954. Supplemental orders can be placed once a month throughout the testing window and will be delivered 10 to 14 business days from the date on which the order is placed.
There will be no charge for Initial ELPAC excessive material orders.
Initial 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 TOMS . Select Initial 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 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 ELPAC Estimated Testing Times
The Initial ELPAC is an untimed test. Students are allowed as much time as needed to complete the test. For planning purposes, estimated testing times—by domain and grade level or grade span—are available on the Initial ELPAC: Estimated Testing Times web page.
Scoring the Initial ELPAC
Users can access the local scoring systems on the Scoring for the Computer-based ELPAC web page. The local scoring process will occur as follows:
- Listening and Reading domains for all grades will be scored automatically in the test delivery system.
- The Speaking domain for all grades will be locally scored in the moment, and then the test examiner will enter the student responses and scores into the Data Entry Interface (DEI) .
- The Writing domain for kindergarten through grade two will remain paper-based and will be locally scored. Scores will be entered into the DEI .
- The Writing domain student responses for grades three through twelve will be scored locally in the Teacher Hand Scoring System (THSS) .
Reporting for the Initial ELPAC
To be counted as tested, a student must log on and submit all four domains as described in Scoring the Initial ELPAC. Once all four domains have been completed and scored, 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 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, or Cantonese (traditional Chinese). 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 ELPAC Parent Notification
After all four domains have been administered and scores have been entered into the DEI and THSS , LEAs can access the 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 ELPAC. More information about accessibility resources can be found on the ELPAC Accessibility Resources web page.
Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP)
The CDE has randomly selected approximately 10 percent of LEAs in California to take part in the RSVP for the Initial ELPAC.
More information about this process is on the RSVP for the Initial ELPAC web page along with the alphabetical list of LEAs identified to participate in the RSVP for the 2021–22 administration year.
Initial ELPAC Pre-ID Labels
Pre-identification (Pre-ID) labels are available only for the 10 percent of LEAs participating in the RSVP, as determined by the CDE. Participating LEAs do not need to request or order these Pre-ID labels. Instead, those LEAs identified in the sampling plan will receive labels automatically for returning scorable materials for students in kindergarten through grade two once SSRs are available in TOMS .
LEAs that are not participating in RSVP do not order or receive Pre-ID labels.
Materials Return for LEAs Participating in the RSVP
LEAs selected to participate in the RSVP should return only ELPAC scannable Answer Books that were ordered and received at the beginning of the 2021–22 testing window. Answer Books received from previous administrations will not be processed.
Please view and follow the instructions for "Packing ELPAC Materials," starting on page 3 of the Initial ELPAC RSVP User Instructions For Test Materials Handling After Testing to help ensure timely scoring and reporting. When returning Answer Books, LEAs should download and complete the ELPAC School/Group List web document to serve as a reference for both the LEA and ETS as to what is being returned in each shipment.
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
2020–21 Computer-based Initial ELPAC
Beginning with the 2020–21 administration, the Initial ELPAC will be delivered via a computer-based test delivery platform. The four domains (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) will be administered on computer except for the Writing domain for kindergarten through grade two, which will remain as a paper-based test. Refer to the 2020–21 Initial ELPAC Online Test Administration Manual for more information.
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 the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) or directly in the Test Administrator Interface during testing for the Initial ELPAC. More information about accessibility resources can be found on the ELPAC Accessibility Resources web page.
Initial ELPAC Directions for Administration (DFAs)
The 2020–21 Initial ELPAC administration will include Directions for Administration (DFAs) instead of Examiner's Manuals. The braille and standard DFAs can be accessed electronically by test examiners, or DFAs can be printed and securely stored just prior to testing. To access the DFAs, select the [Resources] button on the top navigation bar in TOMS Select "Initial 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 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 ELPAC Writing Test Materials Orders
LEAs will use TOMS to order Writing domain testing materials for kindergarten through grade two. Orders for 2020–21 Initial ELPAC test materials can be placed during the following order windows:
| Type of Test Materials Order | Order Window Opens | Order Window Closes | Earliest Delivery Date | Latest Delivery Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Test Materials Order | April 1, 2020 | May 29, 2020 | May 26, 2020 | June 15, 2020 |
| Supplemental Test Materials Order | June 1, 2020 | June 11, 2021 | June 16, 2020 | June 25, 2021 |
Orders placed during the primary ordering window have been delivered. LEAs can order additional test materials during the supplemental ordering window. Note, however, that the supplemental ordering window is for requesting special test versions and small quantities of additional materials and should not be used to place an LEA's primary order.
An LEA ELPAC coordinator can place supplemental orders online in TOMS or by calling the California Technical Assistance Center (CalTAC) at 800-955-2954. This applies to both standard and special version test materials. Orders can be placed once a month throughout the testing window, from June 2020 to June 2021, and will be delivered 10 to 14 business days from the date on which the order is placed.
There will be no charge for Initial ELPAC excessive material orders.
Initial ELPAC Estimated Testing Times
The Initial ELPAC is an untimed test. Students are allowed as much time as needed to complete the test. For planning purposes, estimated testing times—by domain and grade level or grade span—are available on the Initial ELPAC: Estimated Testing Times web page.
Scoring the Initial ELPAC
Users can access the local scoring systems on the Scoring for the Computer-based ELPAC web page. With the transition to the computer-based Initial ELPAC, the local scoring process will occur as follows:
- Listening and Reading domains for all grades will be scored automatically in the TDS.
- The Speaking domain for all grades will be locally scored in the moment, and then the test examiner will enter the student responses and scores into the Data Entry Interface (DEI) .
- The Writing domain for kindergarten through grade two will remain paper-based and will be locally scored. Scores will be entered into the DEI .
- The Writing domain student responses for grades three through twelve will be scored locally in the Teacher Hand Scoring System (THSS) .
To be counted as tested, a student must log on to all four domains. Once all four domains have been completed and scored, 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 ELPAC SSRs and results in TOMS within less than 24 hours of the last domain test being scored and submitted for a student.
Initial ELPAC Parent Notification and Calculated English Language Acquisition Status (ELAS)
After all four domains have been administered and scores have been entered into the DEI and THSS, LEAs can access the 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.
The electronic SSR will also be made available to parents and guardians through parent or student portals. Students will receive an SSR in English and one in the student's primary language if that language is Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin or Cantonese (traditional Chinese), or Filipino. 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.
The calculated ELAS results of either English learner or initial fluent English proficient will be sent from TOMS to California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) through a nightly file transfer. LEAs will need to run the Student English Language Acquisition (SELA) extract from CALPADS to upload the ELAS into their student information system.
Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP)
The CDE has randomly selected approximately 10 percent of LEAs in California to take part in the RSVP for the Initial ELPAC.
More information about this process is on the RSVP web page along with the alphabetical list of LEAs identified to participate in RSVP for the school year 2020–21.
Initial ELPAC Pre-ID Labels
Pre-identification (Pre-ID) labels are available only for the 10 percent of LEAs participating in the RSVP, as determined by the CDE. Participating LEAs do not need to request or order these Pre-ID labels. Instead, those LEAs identified in the sampling plan will receive labels automatically for returning scorable materials for students in kindergarten through grade two once SSRs are available in TOMS .
LEAs that are not participating in RSVP do not order or receive Pre-ID labels.
Materials Return for LEAs Participating in the RSVP
LEAs selected to participate in the RSVP should return only ELPAC scannable Answer Books that were ordered and received at the beginning of the 2020–21 testing window. Answer Books received from previous administrations will not be processed.
Please view and follow the Initial ELPAC Packing and Return Instructions to help ensure timely scoring and reporting. LEAs should download and complete the ELPAC School Group List when returning answer books to serve as a reference for both the LEA and ETS as to what is being returned in each shipment.
2020–21 Paper-based Initial ELPAC
Initial ELPAC Test Materials Orders
LEAs will use existing unused 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC test materials to administer the Initial ELPAC to newly arrived students.
LEAs that need additional 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC materials can continue to place supplemental orders through TOMS or by calling CalTAC at 800-955-2954. This applies to both standard and special version test materials. Orders can be placed once a month throughout the testing window, from June 2020 to June 2021, and will be delivered 10 to 14 business days from the date on which the order is placed.
LEAs should use the 2020–21 audio files in 2020–21 TOMS .
There will be no charge for Initial ELPAC excessive material orders.
Securely store used Answer Books until June 30, 2021. Additional information about test material destruction for 2020–21 will be provided by spring 2021.
Initial ELPAC Estimated Testing Times
The Initial ELPAC is an untimed test. Students are allowed as much time as needed to complete the test. For planning purposes, estimated testing times—by domain and grade level or grade span—are available on the Initial ELPAC: Paper–Pencil Estimated Testing Times web page.
Scoring the Initial ELPAC
To obtain the preliminary overall score, LEAs should do the following:
- Score responses locally to obtain raw scores for each domain using the scoring keys for the Listening and Reading domains (Section 9) and rubrics and anchor samples for the Speaking and Writing domains (Section 8) in the specific grade or grade span Edition 1 Examiner's Manual (Note that references to the Local Scoring Tool [LST] in the Examiner's Manual are no longer accurate. The LST is retired.)
- Once raw scores are obtained, calculate the preliminary overall scale score and performance level using the Initial ELPAC Preliminary Overall Score Sheet and Initial ELPAC Conversion Table in TOMS for the student's grade level or grade span
- Once the student's preliminary ELAS is determined to be either English learner or initial fluent English proficient based on the preliminary scoring, provide the appropriate English language development services (LEAs will not be able to update the student's ELAS in CALPADS based on preliminary scoring.)
To manually enter student scores and responses, LEAs should:
- Retain and securely store the student's test materials
- Retain a cumulative list of the SSIDs
- Enter the SSIDs into the 2020–21 Initial ELPAC PPT SSID Template that is downloadable from ELPAC.org and then email the template to caloutreach@ets.org.
- LEAs should save the spreadsheet using the following format for its filename: "LEA Name_Date Created.xlsx"; for example, "Demo District_081420."
- The deadline for submitting SSIDs will be by end of day every Friday.
- ETS will register these SSIDs in the DEI . Student responses and scores cannot be entered into the DEI until ETS has approved the SSIDs.
- SSIDs will be available in the DEI for LEAs to begin scoring the following week.
- Manually enter student scores and responses into the DEI to receive an official SSR
- Manually enter scores for the Writing and Speaking domains and responses for the Listening and Reading domains into the DEI for each student who was administered the Initial ELPAC paper–pencil assessment
Initial ELPAC Parent Notification and Calculated ELAS
Once all four domains have been administered and scores and responses have been entered into the DEI, LEAs can access the Parent/Guardian Notification Letter on the CDE Parent Notification web page. The data file in TOMS can be merged with the notification letter.
The electronic SSR will also be made available to parents and guardians through parent or student portals. Students will receive an SSR in English and one in the student's primary language if that language is Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin or Cantonese (traditional Chinese), or Filipino. 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.
The calculated ELAS results of either English learner or initial fluent English proficient will be sent from TOMS to CALPADS through a nightly file transfer. LEAs will need to run the SELA extract from CALPADS to upload the ELAS into their student information system.
Test Security
- LEA ELPAC coordinators and site ELPAC coordinators will submit STAIRS cases in TOMS.
- Users should refer to the 2020–21 Initial ELPAC Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide for the computer-based administration and data entry of the paper–pencil tests.