ELPAC email update, February 1, 2024.

This communication includes information about the Initial ELPAC, Summative ELPAC, Initial Alternate ELPAC, and Summative Alternate ELPAC.

Urgent Reminders

Complete the Required LEA Certification Now

The LEA certification deadline has passed. Any LEAs that are not yet certified must access the statewide Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Administration and Scoring Trainings (ASTs) on the Moodle Training Site (Moodle) . Trainings are required and must be completed by all LEAs for the Summative ELPAC and by all LEAs with eligible students for the Summative Alternate ELPAC as soon as possible. Moodle keys are available on the AST website . Please direct questions about Moodle to the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Moodle Support team at moodlesupport@scoe.net.

Reclassification Reminder

Students who scored at Summative ELPAC Overall Performance Level (PL) 4 and students who score at Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3 for the 2022–23 ELPAC administration should continue to be evaluated for reclassification before the end of the 2023–24 test administration window. Notifications of eligible students were sent during the last week of January to LEA ELPAC coordinators. Visit the CDE Reclassification web page for more information.

DEI Assessment Selection List Change

With the launch of the ELPAC Interim Assessments, the assessment selection list in the Data Entry Interface (DEI) now presents the ELPAC Interim Assessments last and the Initial ELPAC (kindergarten [K] through grade two [K–2] Writing and K through grade twelve Speaking) at the top of the selection window. For students assigned to the Summative ELPAC, the Summative ELPAC K through grade twelve Speaking selection replaces the Initial ELPAC selections in the DEI's first position. Users entering scores for either test into the DEI should verify they are selecting the appropriate test to enter scores. Not verifying may lead to inaccurate scores for the interim assessments and no scores produced for the Initial or Summative ELPAC.

Reminders

Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Testing Window Opens

The Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC test administration window is now available until May 31, 2024. To properly administer the Summative ELPAC, test examiners should be properly trained for the grade levels or grade spans they are administering and access the Directions for Administration (DFAs) corresponding to their LEA's form assignment.

Test Item Preview

A Summative Alternate ELPAC resource aimed to help test examiners prepare supplemental testing materials needed by an individual student can be found in Moodle .

DFAs Available in TOMS

The Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC DFAs and Summative Alternate ELPAC picture cards are now available to download in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) .

Summative ELPAC Supplemental Ordering Window

The Summative ELPAC is a computer-based assessment, with students in K–2 taking the Writing domain using paper–pencil testing forms. LEAs can place supplemental orders in TOMS to receive materials organized by grade level.

Changes to the Test Administrator Interface

The Test Administrator Interface has been updated to present a cleaner, more user-friendly appearance. This includes a new functionality that will allow information for specific students to be pinned to the top of the Operational Test Session screen while the text examiner monitors testing. For questions or guidance, contact the LEA's assigned Success Agent .

ELPAC Interim Assessments Available to Administer

The ELPAC Interim Assessments are available to administer, score, and generate results. More information on these new interim assessments is available on the ELPAC Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page.

The ELPAC Interim Assessments DFAs, Training Guides and Exemplars, and Test Content and Answer Keys documents can be accessed electronically in the [Resources] tab in TOMS or can be printed and securely stored to be used just prior to testing.

Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Assignments in TOMS

Newly enrolled students eligible to be assessed with an initial assessment must be assessed within the first 30 calendar days of student enrollment; however, students may not have an IEP designating the student to take an alternate assessment prepared in time. In these instances, the student should be assessed with the Initial ELPAC using universal tools and designated supports as appropriate.

Every eligible student who is identified to take alternate assessments by an individualized education program (IEP) team and has a primary language other than English must be assigned in TOMS to take the Initial Alternate ELPAC. Otherwise, students who have a primary language other than English will be automatically assigned to the Initial ELPAC.

The assignment of the Initial ELPAC does not require students to be assigned to the Summative ELPAC. If the IEP team determines later that the student is eligible to take alternate assessments and the student has been identified as an English learner (EL), the student should be assigned the Summative Alternate ELPAC.

Summative ELPAC Form Assignments

In addition to Form 1 (operational items only), Form 2 (Listening), Form 3 (Speaking), Forms 4 and 5 (Reading), Form 6 (Writing), and Form 7 (visual impairments and braille), the following new test forms will be administered for the 2023–24 Summative ELPAC administration:

• Form 8 (Speaking)
• Form 9 (Speaking)
• Form 10 (Writing)

Refer to the ELPAC Form Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative ELPAC Administration web page to confirm the LEA's form assignment for the 2023–24 Summative ELPAC administration.

Estimated testing times for each form can be found on the Summative ELPAC: Estimated Testing Times web page.

Summative Alternate ELPAC Form and Second Scoring Assignments

Form assignments and second scoring assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC administration are available on the Form Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Administration web page and the Second Scoring Assignments for the 2023–24 Summative Alternate ELPAC Test Administration web page. A subsection of schools assigned Form 2 will be required to second-score. Second scorers can be an employee or contractor of an LEA or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.The secondary test examiner (second scorer) must also sign the security affidavit in TOMS and have completed the Summative Alternate ELPAC—Test Examiner Certification course in Moodle .

Upcoming Trainings

To register or locate additional details about upcoming trainings, including dates, times, or content, visit the ELPAC Upcoming Training Opportunities web page.

February 13: Coffee Sessions

These virtual Coffee Sessions, hosted by the CDE and ETS, offer opportunities for LEA staff to ask questions and get answers about assessments, trainings, resources, and more. Coffee Sessions are entirely dedicated to answering questions about assessments and topics of interest from testing coordinators and providing timely updates. Register now for the February 2024 Coffee Session .

February 22: New Coordinator Webinar #4

This webinar, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides information about the Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System process and types of security incidents, and a question and answer session with experienced coordinators. Register now for the February 2024 New Coordinator Webinar #4 .

February 28: Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting

If you are wondering how other charter schools handle statewide assessment administration or simply looking to connect with other charter school assessment coordinators, this meeting is for you! Space is limited, so save your spot today. Register now for the February 2024 Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting .

March 5: Beyond the Basics for Teachers

This training introduces teachers to intermediate and advanced CERS features, including customizing groups in CERS, using advanced filters, and reviewing the information available when viewing interim assessment results. Register now for the March 2024 CERS—Beyond the Basics for Teachers .

March 5: Beyond the Basics for Coordinators and Administrators

This training introduces coordinators and administrators to intermediate and advanced CERS features, including generating custom reports, completing advanced rostering, and tips for providing local CERS training. Register now for the March 2024 CERS—Beyond the Basics for Coordinators and Administrators .

March 12: Coffee Sessions

These virtual Coffee Sessions, hosted by the CDE and ETS, offer opportunities for LEA staff to ask questions and get answers about assessments, trainings, resources, and more. Coffee Sessions are entirely dedicated to answering questions about assessments and topics of interest from testing coordinators and providing timely updates. Register now for the March 2024 Coffee Session .

March 14: Beyond the Basics for Coordinators and Administrators

This additional presentation of the March 5 training introduces coordinators and administrators to intermediate and advanced CERS features, including making custom reports, completing advanced rostering, and tips for providing local CERS training. Register now for the March 2024 CERS—Beyond the Basics for Coordinators and Administrators .

Apply Now for Spring Educator Opportunities Meetings

To apply for the meetings, go to the Educator Opportunities Portal . If you do not have an Educator Opportunities Portal account, create an account via the Educator Opportunities Portal Account Creation Form in the Educator Opportunities Database. If you have any questions, please contact the Educator Opportunities Team by phone at 916-228-2682 or by email at edopportunities@scoe.net.

Available Now!

Asynchronous Training

The following live training was recently posted and is now available on the ELPAC Asynchronous Training Opportunities web page:

• January 2023 Coffee Session

CERS Updates

As of January 26, 2024, additional item-level information is available in CERS for the CAST and ELPAC Interim Assessments. For more information, access the CERS Update for LEA Coordinators email sent on January 30, 2024.

Web Page Update

The ELPAC Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page is available and will be updated with more information and resources as they become available.

Ongoing Reminders

ELPAC Administration for Transitional Kindergarten Students

For 2023–24, LEAs are required to administer the Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC to all eligible students enrolled in kindergarten—including students in transitional kindergarten (TK), which is defined as year one of a two-year kindergarten program. Refer to the 2023–24 Initial and Initial Alternate ELPAC Student Data File Layout located on the ELPAC Score Reporting web page for more information. LEAs will continue to follow the same process for identifying potential EL students and annually assessing EL students.

TK students' grade level will be converted to kindergarten during the nightly CALPADS feed to TOMS. These students will appear in TOMS as kindergarten and will have the TK indicator flag set to "Y" (Yes). This flag will be available within several of the TOMS reports to assist with monitoring testing progress at the local level.

SSR Electronic Distribution

Ensure Student Score Reports (SSRs) are populated in the student information system for the correct students in a timely manner, as outlined in the Options for Distributing SSRs topic of the ELPAC Scoring and Reporting Guide . Ensure that the SSRs are properly displayed, parents/guardians can access the SSRs, and parents/guardians can access only the scores for their own children.

Scoring Job Opportunities

ETS is accepting applications for scorers. This is an excellent opportunity for educators to become more familiar with the new generation of California assessments. Scoring schedules are flexible and can include four-, six-, and eight-hour weekday or weekend shifts. California educators interested in applying can view more information on the Online Scoring web page. Questions about the application or hiring process should be directed to etsrater@ets.org . Current scorers can reach out to ratercertify@ets.org for any scoring-related questions.

Previous ELPAC Monthly Communications

Previous ELPAC monthly communications, as well as other email communications, can be found on the ELPAC Coordinator Emails web page.

Additional Help

• Direct questions about policies, regulations, and requirements to elpac@cde.ca.gov.
• Contact your region's assigned Success Agent for answers to questions about assessment coordination, development, and administration, as well as for technical support.
• Direct questions about Moodle , certification, and calibration to moodlesupport@scoe.net.
• Get Answers using the lookup tool that is available to help LEA coordinators quickly find answers to the most common testing questions. Users can also make suggestions for Additional Questions for the FAQs , which are reviewed on a regular basis.
• Chat with Anita, your virtual assistant for LEA help, which is available on the CAASPP and ELPAC home pages. Unanswered questions will be routed to your assigned LEA Success Agent.

Sincerely,

California Outreach Team

ELPAC website

Contact Us: California Outreach web page