Beginning with the 2020–2021 administration, the Initial English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (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.

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 now available on the Initial ELPAC Estimated Testing Time web page.

Initial ELPAC Directions for Administration (DFAs)

The 2020–2021 Initial ELPAC administration will include Directions for Administration (DFAs) instead of Examiner’s Manuals. 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 the Test Operations Management System (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 Test Materials Orders

Local educational agencies (LEAs) will order Writing domain testing materials for kindergarten through grade two through TOMS. Orders for 2020–2021 Initial ELPAC test materials can be placed during the following order windows:.

LEAs should place an order as soon as possible. Once a primary order has been placed, LEAs must wait for the supplemental order window to order additional test materials. Note, however, that the supplemental order 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.

Note: Planned delivery dates may change due to the current closures due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. ETS will provide timely update on test material deliveries.

Supplemental orders can be placed by an LEA ELPAC coordinator online in TOMS or by calling the California Technical Assistance Center 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 business days from the date on which the order is placed.

There will be no charge for Initial ELPAC excessive material orders. For the primary test materials order, an additional 10 percent of materials is allocated as overage. Orders placed in TOMS will be compared to the LEA’s historical testing counts for the Initial ELPAC. If the difference for any order is 10 greater than the order for the administration of the previous year, TOMS will display a warning message indicating the quantity may be excessive. However, TOMS will not prevent processing of any orders exceeding the 10 percent threshold.

Scoring the Initial ELPAC

With the transition to the computer-based Initial ELPAC, the local scoring process has changed; changes include the following:

• 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 scores will be entered by the test examiner into the Data Entry Interface (DEI). (Refer to the Data Entry Interface User Guide for more information about this application.)
• 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 . More information coming soon.

Once all four domains have been scored, Student Score Reports will be produced and available for download in the Test Operations Management System.

Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP)

Approximately 10 percent of local educational agencies (LEAs) in California have been identified by the California Department of Education to take part in the RSVP for the Initial ELPAC. After the identified LEAs have completed scoring all four domains of the Initial ELPAC, LEAs will return the scannable kindergarten through grade two Writing Answer Books to Educational Testing Service. This process will help to produce item statistics for the Initial ELPAC, validate scores, and provide technical assistance for scoring.

The alphabetical list of LEAs randomly selected to participate in RSVP for the school year 2020–2021 will be posted on the RSVP web page.

Initial ELPAC Pre-ID Labels

Pre-identification (Pre-ID) labels are available only for the 10 percent of local educational agencies (LEAs) participating in the Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP), as determined by the California Department of Education. 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 Student Score Reports are available in the Test Operations Management System.

LEAs that are not participating in RSVP do not order or receive Pre-ID labels.

Refer to the How to Complete the Initial ELPAC Process quick reference guide for instructions on the process that is started upon a student’s first enrollment in a California public school.

Initial ELPAC Test Material Orders

Local educational agencies (LEAs) will order testing materials through the TOMS. Orders for 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC test materials can be placed during the following order windows:

There will be no charge for Initial ELPAC excessive materials orders.

Note: Planned delivery dates may change due to the current closures due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. ETS will provide timely update on test material deliveries.

Initial ELPAC Pre-ID Labels

Pre-identification (Pre-ID) labels are available only for the 10 percent of local educational agencies (LEAs) participating in the Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP), as determined by the California Department of Education. 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 once scores are entered in the Local Scoring Tool (LST).

Local Scoring Tool (LST)

Test examiners will score the Initial ELPAC locally and use the LST to enter hand-scored results through June 2020. Note the following about the LST:

• The LST will be accessible to LEAs via a password-protected, secure website.
• The LST will be implemented for Initial ELPAC test administration during the entire school year, excluding scheduled system downtimes.
• Entry of scores will be allowed only for students included in the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System and the Test Operations Management System, who have an English Language Acquisition Status (ELAS) of “to be determined” , and whose primary language is a language other than English. This is necessary for student data retrieval and validation.
• Through the LST, LEAs can enter, save, and print individual Student Score Reports (SSRs).
• The LST permits users to download a configurable and customizable parent letter in a Microsoft Word template that can be modified to send to parents/guardians.
• SSRs will be provided in Spanish and English for those students whose primary language is Spanish. All other students will receive only an SSR in English. The California Department of Education is currently working to provide language templates in additional languages for LEAs to use.

Local Scoring Tool Blank Student Score Sheets

• 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC Score Sheet Kindergarten
• 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC Score Sheet Grade 1
• 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC Score Sheet Grade 2
• 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC Score Sheet Grades 3–5
• 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC Score Sheet Grades 6–8
• 2019–2020 Initial ELPAC Score Sheet Grades 9–12

Initial ELPAC 2019–20 Export Student Score Data File Layout

• Initial ELPAC 2019–2020 Student Data File Layout

Rotating Score Validation Process (RSVP)

Approximately 10 percent of LEAs in California have been identified by the California Department of Education to take part in the RSVP for the Initial ELPAC. These identified LEAs will return the scannable Answer Books to the testing contractor, Educational Testing Service, after completing local scoring, entry of scores in the LST, and parent/guardian notification of the results. This process will help produce item statistics for the Initial ELPAC, validate scores, and provide technical assistance for scoring.

The alphabetical list of LEAs randomly selected to participate in RSVP for the school year 2019–20 is posted on the RSVP web page.