Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Administration

The Summative Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) testing window is February 1–May 31.

The computer–based Summative Alternate ELPAC is an untimed test. Students are allowed as much time as they need to complete their responses in each domain of the two communication modes: expressive (Speaking and Writing) and receptive (Listening and Reading).

Please visit the Manuals and Instructions web page for more materials related to the administration of the Summative Alternate ELPAC.

In-Person Administration

The Summative Alternate ELPAC is administered in person only. LEA ELPAC coordinators should refer to the Summative Alternate ELPAC Online Test Administration Manual Link to external site for information and instructions about test preparation and administration of the computer-based Summative Alternate ELPAC. Please visit the Manuals and Instructions web page for more materials related to the administration of the Summative Alternate ELPAC.

Summative 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.

Summative Alternate ELPAC Forms Assignment

Form assignments for the Summative Alternate ELPAC administration are available on the Summative Alternate ELPAC Forms Assignments web page. Use the lookup tool to search for an LEA; the search returns the form number to which the LEA has been assigned. In some cases, large LEAs will be assigned to multiple forms; these will be displayed accordingly.

New schools that are associated with a listed LEA, are assigned the same form that the listed LEA has been assigned. Any LEA that does not appear on the list will be assigned form 1 by the test delivery system at the time of administration.

Summative Alternate ELPAC Directions for Administration (DFAs)

In January 2023, DFAs can be accessed electronically, or 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) Link to external site. Select "Summative Alternate ELPAC Directions for Administration (DFAs)" from the Available Materials list and download the DFA(s) that match the assigned form number. LEAs also have the option to order printed Alternate ELPAC DFAs for specified grades or grade spans at an additional cost. More information about ordering printed Alternate ELPAC DFAs can be found on the ELPAC Fee-Based Services web page on the ELPAC website.

Summative Alternate ELPAC Estimated Testing Times

The Summative Alternate ELPAC is an untimed test. Students are allowed as much time as needed to complete the test. For planning purposes, estimated testing times for each form, by task type, are available on the Alternate ELPAC: Estimated Testing Times web page.

Summative Alternate ELPAC Second Scoring

A subset of schools that have students taking the Summative Alternate ELPAC will be selected to participate in second scoring. This means that a secondary test examiner will be present at the time of testing to score each student's responses to rubric-scored items. Schools will be chosen to participate annually, on a rotating basis.

Visit the Summative Alternate ELPAC Second Scoring Assignment web page to find out if your school has been selected to participate in second scoring for the 2023–24 school year.

Participation and Reporting for the Summative Alternate ELPAC

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. 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 Link to external site flyer for more information.

Once the participation criteria has been met, Student Score Reports (SSRs) will be produced and available for download in TOMS Link to external site and made available to parents and guardians through parent or student portals. LEAs will be able to access the official Summative Alternate ELPAC SSRs and results in TOMS Link to external site once scores are released in the summer.

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 Link to external site prior to student testing.

Summative Alternate ELPAC Resources

LEAs can access the Alternate ELPAC Resources web page for newly created resources for the Alternate ELPAC, such as videos, checklists, flyers, and other informative materials.

LEAs can refer to the Alternate ELPAC FAQs web page to obtain information about Alternate ELPAC test administration, accessibility resources, TOMS, score reporting, Administration and Scoring Trainings, and picture cards.

Accessibility Resources

Test examiners may make the determination that a student will benefit from an embedded or non-embedded designated support before test administration. The test examiner may assign accessibility resources prior to testing in TOMS Link to external site. 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:

Promotional Links

Additional Resources

California Department of Education ELPAC Information Link to external site