Assessment Spotlight, Issue 154

Focusing on the CAASPP System and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)—and including, when timely, updates on California’s other statewide assessments. For questions related to test administration, coordination, and trainings, visit the CAASPP website and the ELPAC website .

Updated Accessibility Matrix and Resource Graphics for 2021–22!

The updated California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix (Accessibility Matrix) and the Accessibility Resource Graphics for the 2021–22 school year are now posted! The Accessibility Matrix displays the embedded and nonembedded universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations allowed as part of the CAASPP and the ELPAC Systems. Updates for the 2021–22 Accessibility Matrix include the following:

• The column title of “CAST” has been changed to “Science,” and “CSA” has been changed to “Spanish.”
  
• Text-to-speech as a designated support and an accommodation now includes functionality that allows the student’s constructed response to be read back to the student.
  
• The designated support of “Translations (Spanish stacked)” has been modified to “Translations (Spanish stacked–dual language).”
  
• The accommodation of speech-to-text is now available as an embedded resource. External assistive technology devices are not required.

The Accessibility Graphics, which are one-page flyers that show the accessibility resources for each assessment, are posted on the California Department of Education (CDE) Student Accessibility Resources web page, under the 2021–22 California Student Assessment Accessibility documents section.

Growth Model Toolkit and FAQs: Webinar This Month

Did you know that California recently adopted a methodology to measure academic student growth in grades four through eight? Learn about what this means at the CDE’s Growth Model and Q&A Webinar on September 13 from 3–4 p.m. We will present the Growth Model Toolkit—the resources available to support schools and the general public when the data files are released on September 22—and discuss frequently asked questions about the growth model, after which time will be allotted for your questions. Register on the Growth Model and Q&A Webinar Registration web page .

2021 CAC: Connect with Colleagues from Throughout the State

You still have time to register for the virtual 2021 California Assessment Conference (CAC)! The CAC is where you can connect with your fellow classroom educators and learn how teachers, schools, and districts across California capitalize on assessment to improve teaching and learning. Register today on the CAC website for this inspiring and informative October event!

System Downtime Starts Today

Various CAASPP and ELPAC systems will be unavailable from 5 p.m. today through Tuesday, September 7, at 8 a.m. to prepare for the launch of the 2021–22 Alternate ELPAC, the California Alternate Assessment for Science, and the practice and training tests. During this downtime, the following CAASPP and ELPAC systems will not be available:

• Test Administrator Interface
• Completion Status System
• Interim Assessment Viewing System
• Practice and training tests

Visit the 2021–22 CAASPP Planned System Downtime and 2021–22 ELPAC Planned System Downtime web pages for more information.

Please share this email with any educators in your local educational agency who would be interested in or benefit from this information. To join the email list, send a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. Are you a new subscriber? Visit the CDE Assessment Spotlight web page to find previous issues.