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California English Language Development Test

Repository archive entry for the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) in the Programs No Longer Administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) Section of the CDE Web site.

Added to Programs No Longer Administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) on June 13, 2019.

This information is for historical purposes only and it is possible that information contained here may not be current.

Time Period

2000–01 through 2017–18

Applicable Statutes/Regulations

California Education Code Section 60810 et seq., enacted by Chapter 936 of the statutes of 1997 (Assembly Bill 748).

Program Description

Students in kindergarten through grade twelve whose home language is not English are required by law to be assessed in English language proficiency (ELP). In California, the ELP assessment was the CELDT.

The CELDT allowed schools to identify students who needed to improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Schools also administered the test each year to students who were still learning English.

CELDT Technical Documentation
For Researchers:
Questions:   California Department of Education | 916-319-0800
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, November 7, 2023
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  • CELDT Data Files
    Repository archive entry for California English Language Development Test (CELDT) Data Files and Record Layouts in the Programs No Longer Administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) Section of the CDE website.
  • CELDT Technical Documentation
    Includes Technical Reports and a Study for the California English Language Development Test (CELDT).
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