Assessment Spotlight, Issue 247

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 .

Preview Available Now for the New California Science Test and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California Interim Assessments

The 2023–24 California Science Test (CAST) and ELPAC Interim Assessments are now available for preview to local educational agencies (LEAs) in the Interim Assessment Viewing System . LEA staff can use their secure access Test Operation Management System (TOMS) login credentials to view all state-offered interim assessments in the viewing system. Access to secure hand-scoring materials and answer keys for the new interim assessments is also available to LEA staff in TOMS under the Resources tab. In late October, LEAs will be able to administer the CAST and ELPAC Interim Assessments and will have access to the overall scale scores, performance levels, custom aggregate reports and key/distractor analysis in the California Educator Reporting System.

A quick reference guide for How to Access the Interim Assessment Viewing System (PDF) is available to help educators get started. Additional information, including a listing of all interim assessments, is provided in the 2023–24 Interim Assessments At-a-Glance (PDF) and the 2023–24 Interim Assessments by Grade (PDF) documents.

Introducing the New Interim Assessments Webinars

To assist LEA staff—including coordinators, administrators, and teachers—in understanding the content of the new ELPAC and CAST Interim Assessments and resources available to support their use, the California Department of Education (CDE) will offer the following two webinars:

• Introducing the ELPAC Interim Assessments
  • September 26, 2023, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

• Introducing the CAST Interim Assessments
  • October 3, 2023, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

These 75-minute webinars will cover interim assessment basics such as the forms available by grade level/grade span, content covered, item types, ways in which the assessments can be used, and resources available to support understanding and use.

Registration: Register now for the Introducing the ELPAC and CAST Interim Assessments webinars .

If you have any questions about these webinars, please contact Nikki Antonovich, Coordinator, Sacramento County Office of Education by email at caaspp@scoe.net.

To receive future CAASPP updates and notifications, subscribe to the CAASPP mailing list by sending a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. For previous Assessment Spotlight issues, visit the CDE Assessment Spotlight web page.