2020–21 Training Opportunities
On behalf of the California Department of Education, Educational Testing Service and the Sacramento County Office of Education host a variety of workshops and professional development opportunities each year. Trainings are held at various locations throughout California and several trainings are also broadcast as live-streamed webinars. Training opportunities are available for both CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators as well as Classroom Educators.
In light of the measures being taken nationwide to slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as the shelter-in-place mandates in effect across California, all trainings will be delivered virtually through June 2021. Trainings at a county office of education (COE) may be offered in-person at the discretion of the COE. Many of these trainings will be recorded and archived on this web page.
Use the filtering options below to display events that are most relevant to you. Select a training opportunity for a description and link to register.
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June 2020: New ELPAC Coordinator Training
Held by our county office of education (COE) partners, the first ELPAC coordinator training is designed for ELPAC coordinators who are new to their role, or want a refresher. These trainings will happen at COEs across California. COEs may choose to deliver this training virtually given the COVID-19 situation. This training session will:
- Familiarize new coordinators with the Initial and Summative ELPAC processes,
- Explain the responsibilities of the ELPAC coordinator,
- Offer suggested time frames for completing activities, and
- Explore procedures and practices to support a successful ELPAC administration.
Audience: LEA ELPAC coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Dates/Locations:
Contra Costa / Solano County Office of Education:
Date: June 9, 2020
Fresno County Office of Education:
Date: June 23, 2020
Imperial County Office of Education:
Date: June 15, 2020
Kern County Office of Education:
Date: June 12, 2020
Los Angeles County Office of Education:
Date: June 18, 2020
Riverside County Office of Education:
Date: June 19, 2020
Sacramento COE / Placer COE / El Dorado COE:
Date: June 2, 2020
San Bernardino County Office of Education:
Date: June 11, 2020
Shasta County Office of Education:
Date: September 1–3, 2020
Registration: Registration now available 
Sonoma COE / Humboldt COE:
Date: June 2–4, 2020
Stanislaus County Office of Education:
Date: May 20, 2020
Materials:
- New ELPAC Coordinator Summer Training Notetaking Guide (Posted 07/13/20)
July 2020: New CAASPP Coordinator Welcome Webinar
This webinar, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides information about the following:
- The training opportunities that are available for new coordinators.
- The various assessments included in California’s assessment system.
- Coordinator checklist and where to find more information to help you in your new role, as well as existing resources that you can share with your administrators and teachers.
- Question and Answer session with experienced coordinators.
Audience: LEA CAASPP coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Date: July 16, 2020, 3−4 p.m.
Materials:
- 2020–21 New CAASPP Coordinator Welcome Webinar (Video; 54:16) (Posted 07/31/20)
- 2020–21 New CAASPP Coordinator Welcome Webinar Notetaking Guide (Posted 07/17/20)
July 2020: New Coordinator Webinar #1
This webinar, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides information about the following:
- A review of upcoming coordinator checklist tasks.
- A deep dive into assessment results and the coordinator role in sharing those results.
- Question and Answer session with experienced coordinators.
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Date: July 23, 2020, 3−4 p.m.
Materials:
- 2020–21 New Coordinator July Webinar (Video; 57:15) (Posted 07/31/20)
- 2020–21 New Coordinator July Webinar Notetaking Guide (Posted 07/24/20)
August 2020: Virtual Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting
The North-South Virtual Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting provides school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools the latest information and updates on California's assessment and accountability systems.
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators.
Dates:
- August 19–Webinar #1
- August 26–Webinar #2
Materials:
- 2020 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting Notetaking Guide (Posted 09/08/20)
- Playlist: August 2020 Assessment and Accountability Meeting (Video) (Posted 10/01/20)
September 2020: Tools for Teachers Shared Practices Webinar
A shared practices webinar about Tools for Teachers hosted by the California Department of Education (CDE) and featuring educators from two California LEAs. Webinar attendees will hear from California educators regarding using Tools for Teachers instructional resources, ideas for adapting instructional resources during distance learning, and how Interim Connections Playlists–a key resource in Tools for Teachers 2020 can be used in conjunction with the Interim Assessment Blocks to find and fill learning gaps using the formative assessment process. There will also be an interactive question and answer segment.
Audience: Classroom educators
Dates: September 8, 2020, 3:30–4:45 p.m.
Materials:
- Tools for Teachers Shared Practices Webinar (Video; 01:05:43) (Posted 09/22/20)
- Tools for Teachers Shared Practices Webinar Notetaking Guide (Posted 09/09/20)
September 2020: Preparing Technology for Online Testing/Remote Testing Webcast
Educational Testing Service (ETS), on behalf of the California Department of Education, will present a webcast that will begin with information about technology needed for the administration of in-person/co-located online assessments. The remainder of the webcast will focus on an update on the administration of remote testing and address any technology needs specific to remote testing.
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators and Technology coordinators.
Dates: September 9, 2020, 1−2:30 p.m.
Registration: You may view the webcast on the CAASPP Live Webcast or the ELPAC Live Webcast web pages. This webcast is open to everyone and requires no preregistration or logon account.
Materials:
- Preparing Technology for Online Testing/Remote Testing (Video; 01:30:24) (Posted 09/17/20)
- Preparing Technology for Online Testing/Remote Testing (Posted 09/08/20)
September 2020: California Alternate Assessments One Percent Webinar
This webinar, hosted by the CDE, provides LEA CAASPP Coordinators with an update on the one percent process for the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs).
Audience: LEA CAASPP coordinators
Dates: September 16, 2020 2–3 p.m.
Materials:
- California Alternate Assessment One Percent Webinar (Video; 40:25) (Posted 09/22/20)
- California Alternate Assessment One Percent Webinar Notetaking Guide (Posted 09/17/20)
September 2020: Using Interim Assessments During Distance Learning Webinar
Educational Testing Service (ETS), on behalf of the California Department of Education, will present a webinar with local educational agencies (LEAs) that will share best practices on the use of Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments to help teachers guide instruction. The panelists will share their plans and ideas for the following:
- Administering interim assessments remotely
- How LEAs are using interim assessments
- Using data from interim assessments during distance learning
- Measuring learning loss due to COVID-19 school closures
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators.
Dates: September 21, 2020, 2:30−4 p.m.
Materials:
September 2020: New CAASPP Coordinator Training
Held by our COE partners, the first CAASPP coordinator training is designed for CAASPP coordinators who are new to their role, or want a refresher. This training session will:
- Focus on the roles and responsibilities of the LEA CAASPP coordinator in planning and preparing for a successful CAASPP administration.
- Familiarize new coordinators with the assessments that fall under the CAASPP umbrella,
- Explain the responsibilities of the CAASPP coordinator,
- Offer suggested time frames for completing activities.
Audience: LEA CAASPP coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Thank you to the following COEs for hosting this training:
- Contra Costa / Solano County Office of Education
- Fresno County Office of Education
- Humboldt County Office of Education
- Imperial County Office of Education
- Kern County Office of Education
- Los Angeles County Office of Education
- Riverside County Office of Education
- Sacramento COE / Placer COE / El Dorado COE
- San Bernardino County Office of Education
- Shasta County Office of Education
- Sonoma County Office of Education
- Stanislaus County Office of Education
Materials:
- September 2020: New CAASPP Coordinator Training Notetaking Guide (Posted 10/2/20)
September 2020: New Coordinator Webinar #2
This webinar, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides information about the following:
- A review of upcoming coordinator checklist tasks
- A deep dive into Accessibility Resources and the coordinator role in relation to accessibility
- Question and Answer session with experienced coordinators
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Date: September 24, 2020, 3−4 p.m.
Materials:
- September 2020: New Coordinator Webinar #2 (Video; 53:15) (Posted 10/05/20)
- September 2020: New Coordinator Webinar Notetaking Guide (Posted 09/28/20)
September/October 2020: Matching Accessibility Resources to Student Needs Virtual Training
Educational Testing Service (ETS), on behalf of the California Department of Education, will present a virtual training that includes information about CAASPP and ELPAC accessibility resources. The training will focus on assigning appropriate accessibility resources to students by categorizing the resources into the following categories:
- Engagement—self regulation, sustaining effort and persistence, recruiting interest
- Representation—comprehension, language, mathematical expression and symbols, perception
- Action and Expression—executive functions (goal setting, monitoring progress, strategy development), expression and communication, physical action
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators, special education specialists, curriculum coordinators, or teachers on special assignment.
Dates:
- September 30, 2020, 1−3 p.m.
- October 2, 2020, 1−3 p.m.
- October 9, 2020, 1−3 p.m.
- October 26, 2020, 1−3 p.m.
- October 27, 2020, 1−3 p.m.
Registration: This virtual training will be delivered via Zoom. Registration is now available.
Materials:
September/October 2020: Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series
Presented by WestEd on behalf of the California Department of Education, this training series has been developed using a “train-the-trainers” model to assist local educational agency (LEA) staff trainers with presenting materials to the educators at their sites or districts. The training will provide guidance on how to locally train on the following topics, each of which will be presented in a separate module:
- Module 1: Assessment literacy
- Module 2: Performance task design
- Module 3: Scoring performance tasks
- Module 4: Claims and targets
- Module 5: Hand scoring practice
- Module 6: Formative assessment process and Tools for Teachers
- Module 7: Interim assessment resources and systems
In addition to the stand-alone modules and associated resources, three live webinars will be provided to local facilitators to provide additional guidance and support. There also will be two virtual Office Hours sessions, where facilitators and participants can ask subject-matter experts questions about the training.
Audience: LEA staff or educators who plan to facilitate a local training for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and teachers on special assignment.
Materials: To download the materials for the 2020 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series, log on to the Test Operations Management System (TOMS), select the [Resources] tab, and then select Interim Assessment Secure Materials - Training from the Available Materials list.
Registration: To register for the live sessions, visit the Zoom webinar registration web page.
Dates:
- October 1, 3-5 p.m.: Office Hours, Session #1
- October 13, 3-5 p.m.: Facilitator Support Webinar—Systems and Resources
- October 15, 3-5 p.m.: Facilitator Support Webinar—English Language Arts/Literacy
- October 20, 3-5 p.m.: Facilitator Support Webinar—Mathematics
- October 29, 3-5 p.m.: Office Hours, Session #2
Additional Support: Local facilitators that require additional support using these training materials can get answers to their questions by sending an email inquiry to CalOutreach@ets.org.
October 2020: ELPAC Coffee Chat
Educational Testing Service (ETS), on behalf of the California Department of Education, will host an ELPAC “coffee chat” that provides an opportunity to ask questions about the fall ELPAC administrations. LEA ELPAC coordinators can stop in at any time, ask questions, and listen to questions from other coordinators. The purpose is to hear challenges, tips, tricks, and to provide assistance in completing the assessments.
Audience: LEA ELPAC coordinators.
Date: October 2, 2020, 3−5 p.m.
Registration: This virtual “coffee chat” will be delivered via Zoom. Registration is now available.
October 2020: New Coordinator Webinar #3
This webinar, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides information about the following:
- A review of upcoming coordinator checklist tasks
- A deep dive into Resources for Student Practice, e.g. practice tests, interim assessments, etc.
- Question and Answer session with experienced coordinators
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Date: October 22, 2020, 3−4 p.m.
Materials:
- 2020–21 New CAASPP Coordinator October Webinar Notetaking Guide (Posted 10/23/20)
October 2020: Virtual California Assessment Conference
2020 Vision: Capitalizing on Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning.
This conference will provide classroom educators with information about using statewide assessment data to improve teaching and learning.
Audience: Classroom Educators.
Dates: October 6–7, 2020
Registration: For more information visit the California Assessment Conference website
October 2020: CAASPP Using Assessment Data for Decision Making (formerly known as The Results Are In)
This workshop will focus on how a data analysis protocol can support a discussion about programs, policies, and practices that can inform actions to improve teaching and learning. The workshop will include information about how to analyze and use data in the absence of CAASPP summative assessment results, how to access and use supplementary resources and reference materials to inform the interpretation of student data, and how to display data to varied stakeholder audiences for a particular purpose.
Audience: LEA CAASPP coordinators and classroom educators
Registration: In light of the measures being taken nationwide to slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as the shelter-in-place mandates in effect across California, this training will be offered virtually.
Materials: This virtual training will be offered as a series of four modules. Training modules will be available October 2020.
November 2020: CDE Assessment Update Webinar
This webinar, hosted by the CDE, provides LEA CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators with an update on assessment information and a chance to ask any questions of CDE staff.
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators.
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2020 2–3 p.m.
Registration: Registration is now available
November 2020: New ELPAC Coordinator Training
Held by our COE partners, this continuation of the November training is designed for ELPAC coordinators who are new to their role, or want a refresher. This training session will:
- Review tasks associated with preparing for testing,
- Cover how to support sites during testing
- Assist coordinators in planning for post-test activities such as gathering feedback from site coordinators and test administrators
Audience: LEA ELPAC coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Registration: Register at any event near you! These trainings will happen at COEs across California. COEs may choose to deliver this training in-person depending upon local COVID-19 restrictions.
Contra Costa / Solano County Office of Education:
Date: November 9, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Fresno County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
Humboldt County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
Imperial County Office of Education:
Date: November 13, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Kern County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
Los Angeles County Office of Education:
Date: November 13, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Riverside County Office of Education:
Date: November 3, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Sacramento COE / Placer COE / El Dorado COE:
Date: November 12, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
San Bernardino County Office of Education:
Date: December 10, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Shasta County Office of Education:
Date: November 4-5, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Sonoma County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
Stanislaus County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
December 2020: New CAASPP Coordinator Training
Held by our COE partners, this continuation of the December training is designed for CAASPP coordinators who are new to their role, or want a refresher. This training session will:
- Review tasks associated with preparing for testing,
- Cover how to support sites during testing,
- Assist coordinators in planning for post-test activities such as gathering feedback from site coordinators and test administrators
Audience: LEA CAASPP coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Registration: Register at any event near you! These trainings will happen at COEs across California. COEs may choose to deliver this training in-person depending upon local COVID-19 restrictions.
Contra Costa / Solano County Office of Education:
Date: December 8, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Fresno County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
Humboldt County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
Imperial County Office of Education:
Date: December 10, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Kern County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
Los Angeles County Office of Education:
Date: December 7, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Riverside County Office of Education:
Date: December 8, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Sacramento COE / Placer COE / El Dorado COE:
Date: December 10, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
San Bernardino County Office of Education:
Date: December 9, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Shasta County Office of Education:
Date: December 15-16, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
Sonoma County Office of Education:
Date and Registration coming soon
Stanislaus County Office of Education:
Date: December 7-8, 2020
Registration: Registration is now available
December 2020/January 2021: CAASPP and ELPAC Pretest Workshop
These workshops, hosted by Educational Testing Service, provides information about the following:
- What’s new for the CAASPP and ELPAC assessments
- Information necessary to prepare for the administration of CAASPP and ELPAC
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators.
Dates:
- December 1, 1-3 p.m.: Session 1—Test Operations Management System (TOMS)
- December 3, 9-11 a.m.: Session 2—Components of the CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
- December 3, 1-3 p.m.: Session 3—Managing Testing and Reporting
- January 11, 1-3 p.m.: Session 1—Test Operations Management System (TOMS)
- January 12, 9-11 a.m.: Session 2—Components of the CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
- January 12, 1-3 p.m.: Session 3—Managing Testing and Reporting
- January 19, 2-3 p.m.: Question and Answer Session
- January 21, 10-11 a.m.: Question and Answer Session
Registration: Registration will be available mid-October. LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators should register for Sessions 1, 2, and 3. Attendees can complete all three sessions in December or January, or can choose sessions from both weeks based upon their availability. Sessions 1, 2, and 3 will focus on updates and what’s new. Pre-recorded sessions that provide an overview of CAASPP and ELPAC for new coordinators will be offered as a prerequisite for coordinators that are new to their role and have not attended a new coordinator training. The Question and Answer Sessions are optional.
December 2020/February 2021: ELPAC The Results Are In—Now What?
This workshop will demonstrate how to use data to advance English language proficiency through high-leverage instructional sequences. Participants will use a protocol linking two of the more difficult ELPAC task types to robust classroom instruction which can be used to create ELPAC-like assessments in context. Video clips, student work, and reflections from the implementation of these practices with English learners will be shared.
Audience: LEA ELPAC coordinators and classroom educators
Registration: In light of the measures being taken nationwide to slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as the shelter-in-place mandates in effect across California, this training will be offered virtually.
Materials: This virtual training will be offered as a series of seven modules. Training modules will be available December 2020, with additional modules available February 2021.
December 2020/April 2021: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring Workshops for Teachers
These virtual hand scoring workshops will engage educators, largely classroom teachers, in understanding the process of hand scoring Smarter Balanced assessment items as a way to deepen understanding of the content standards, strengthen the evaluation of student work, and promote the use of student results to inform teaching and learning.
The workshops will be free of charge with 20 sessions offered—10 for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and 10 for mathematics. Some sessions will be a single 4-hour session, while others will stagger the 4 hours over three days so teachers can attend after school without the need for substitutes.
ELA Single Sessions:
These sessions will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- December 8, 2020
- February 17, 2021
- February 24, 2021
- March 17, 2021
- March 24, 2021
ELA Staggered Sessions:
These sessions will take place over three days, starting at 3:30 p.m. and ending by 5:00 p.m. each day.
- December 14 to 16, 2020
- February 16 to 18, 2021
- February 23 to 25, 2021
- March 2 to 4, 2021
- March 16 to 18, 2021
Math Single Sessions:
These sessions will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- December 9, 2020
- February 3, 2021
- February 17, 2021
- March 3, 2021
- March 17, 2021
Math Staggered Sessions:
These sessions will take place over three days, starting at 3:30 p.m. and ending by 5:00 p.m. each day.
- December 15 to 17, 2020
- February 9 to 11, 2021
- February 16 to 18, 2021
- March 2 to 4, 2021
- April 5 to 7, 2021
Audience: LEA CAASPP educators.
Registration: Registration will be available on October 26, 2020.
January 2021: CDE Assessment Update Webinar
This webinar, hosted by the CDE, provides LEA CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators with an update on assessment information and a chance to ask any questions of CDE staff.
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators.
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 2–3 p.m.
Registration: Registration is now available
February 2021: CAASPP and ELPAC Video Student Score Reports Webcast
Educational Testing Service (ETS), on behalf of the California Department of Education, will present a webcast that includes information about video student score reports, including:
- A preview of a video student score report
- Benefits of video student score reports
- Student score reports available as a video and in what languages
- How to purchase video student score reports
- How to provide video student score reports to parents/guardians
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators.
Date: February 24, 2020, 1–2:30 p.m.
Registration: You may view the webcast on the CAASPP Live Webcast or the ELPAC Live Webcast web pages. This webcast is open to everyone and requires no preregistration or logon account.
February 2021: New Coordinator Webinar #4
This webinar, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides information about the following:
- A review of upcoming coordinator checklist tasks
- A deep dive into the STAIRS process and types of security incidents
- Question and Answer session with experienced coordinators
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Date: February 25, 2021, 3–4 p.m
Registration: Registration is now available
March 2021: CDE Assessment Update Webinar
This webinar, hosted by the CDE, provides LEA CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators with an update on assessment information and a chance to ask any questions of CDE staff.
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators.
Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 2–3 p.m.
Registration: Registration is now available
April 2021: New Coordinator Webinar #5
This webinar, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides information about the following:
- A review of upcoming coordinator checklist tasks
- A deep dive into Preparing for Summative Assessment Results
- Question and Answer session with experienced coordinators
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on the coordinator responsibilities.
Date: April 22, 2021, 3−4 p.m.
Registration: Registration is now available
May 2021: CAASPP and ELPAC Post-Test Webcast
Educational Testing Service (ETS), on behalf of the California Department of Education, will present a webcast that includes information about:
- How assessments are scored
- Reports available in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS)
- How to access reports
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators.
Date: May 26, 2021, 1−3 p.m.
Registration: You may view the webcast on the CAASPP Live Webcast or the ELPAC Live Webcast web pages. This webcast is open to everyone and requires no preregistration or logon account.