ELPAC email update, March 1, 2024.

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

Reminders

March 8: Return K–2 Writing Answer Books

The next date to request a pickup of completed kindergarten through grade two (K–2) Writing Answer Books for returning to ETS for scoring is March 8, 2024. For a list of all pickup dates, please refer to the List of Key Dates table. The sooner LEAs return K–2 Writing Answer Books, the sooner ETS is able to complete the quality-control process to release Student Score Reports (SSRs).

April 1: Designate an LEA ELPAC Coordinator

The superintendent designation process for the 2024–25 ELPAC administration must be completed as soon as possible in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) . The deadline to designate the LEA ELPAC coordinator is April 1, 2024. Once designated, the user can sign the necessary security forms by selecting the LEA ELPAC Coordinator role from the "Logged on as:" drop-down list in the top-right corner of TOMS.

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) . For the Summative ELPAC, certification is required by all LEAs. Certification for the Summative Alternate ELPAC is required for all LEAs with eligible students. Moodle keys are available on the AST website . Please direct questions about Moodle to the Sacramento County Office of Education Moodle Support team at moodlesupport@scoe.net.

Reclassification Reminder

Students who scored at Summative ELPAC Overall Performance Level (PL) 4 and students who scored 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 the last week of January 2024 to LEA ELPAC coordinators. Visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Reclassification web page for more information.

DEI Assessment Selection List Change

With the launch of the ELPAC Interim Assessments, there has been a change to the order of the list of assessments available for selection in the Data Entry Interface (DEI). The assessment selection list now presents either the Initial ELPAC (K–2 Writing and K–12 Speaking) selections or the Summative ELPAC (K–12 Speaking) selection first. The ELPAC Interim Assessments will be presented last or at the end of the selection list.

Users entering scores for either assessment into the DEI should verify they are selecting the appropriate assessment to enter scores. Not verifying may lead to inaccurate scores for the interim assessments and no scores produced for the Initial ELPAC or Summative ELPAC.

Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Testing Window Open

The Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC test administration windows are open until May 31, 2024.

Test Item Preview

A Summative Alternate ELPAC resource aimed to help test examiners prepare supplemental testing materials needed by an individual student is available in the resources section of both the LEA certification and test examiner certification courses in Moodle .

DFAs and Alternate ELPAC Picture Cards Available in TOMS

The Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Directions for Administration (DFAs) and Summative Alternate ELPAC picture cards are available to download in 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 their grade level materials.

Upcoming Trainings

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

March 5: CERS—Beyond the Basics for Teachers

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

This webinar will be held on March 5, 2024, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

March 5 and 14: CERS—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 learning tips for providing local CERS training. Register now for the March 2024 CERS—Beyond the Basics for Coordinators and Administrators .

This webinar will be held on March 5, 2024, from 9 to 11 a.m. and March 14, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. Both sessions are identical, and participants can choose to attend either session.

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 .

The next Coffee Session will be held April 9, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Apply Now for Spring Educator Opportunities Meetings

ETS is currently recruiting special education teachers for the Alternate Assessments Combined Data Review Meeting to be held from June 25 through 27, 2024. A separate Alternate ELPAC K–2 Data Review Meeting will be held June 25, 2024. The application process closes March 8, 2024.

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:

• February 2024 Coffee Session

Web Page Update

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

Alternate ELPAC Participation and Scoring

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. LEAs can refer to the Alternate ELPAC Participation and Scoring flyer for more information.

Ongoing Reminders

ELPAC Interim Assessments Available to Administer

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 individualized education program (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.

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

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.

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, which is defined as year one of a two-year kindergarten program. LEAs will continue to follow the same process for identifying potential EL students and annually assessing EL students. 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.

SSR Electronic Distribution

Ensure 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 SSRs are properly displayed for parent and guardian access and be sure to display in such a manner that parents and guardians will only be able access 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

• Send 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.
• Send direct questions about Moodle , certification, and calibration to moodlesupport@scoe.net.
• Get Answers using this lookup tool 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 more LEA help 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