Assessment Spotlight

Abbreviation	Definition
CAASPP	California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
CAST	California Science Test
CERS	California Educator Reporting System
ELPAC	English Language Proficiency Assessments for California

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 369 – June 26, 2026

• Repeat Session: Initial ELPAC New Coordinator Training Webinar
• Training Reminder—2026 Interim and Formative Assessment Webinar Series July Sessions
• Training Reminder—Interim Assessment Hand Scoring Summer Workshop Series
• Systems Downtime Reminder

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 368 – June 19, 2026

• New Coordinator Training Webinar: Receiving Scores
• Upcoming Systems Downtime

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 367 – June 12, 2026

• New Coordinator Training Webinar: Managing Users
• Smarter Balanced English Language Arts Passage Review—Apply to Participate!
• June’s Featured Tools for Teachers Resource

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 366 – June 5, 2026

• New Coordinator Training Webinar: Your Role and the Assessment System
• Registration is now Open for the New Coordinator Fall Convenings
• 2026 California Assessment Conference–Last Call for Session Presenters
• Reserve Your Spot Now for the High School Equivalency and Proficiency Summer Convenings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 365 – May 29, 2026

• From Test Design to Classroom Practice: Discover the Smarter Content Explorer
• Registration Now Open for the 2026–27 CERS Essentials Training Series
• Newly Updated CERS Microlearning Video Series
• 2026 Interim and Formative Assessment Webinar Series
• Interim Assessment Hand Scoring Summer Workshop Series

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 364 – May 15, 2026

• Do Your Best on the Test Video Showcase Submission Deadline is June 30

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 363 – May 8, 2026

• Register Now for the Fall Charter School In-Person Assessment Convenings
• Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Virtual Meeting
• May’s Featured Tools for Teachers Resource

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 362 – April 24, 2026

• New Reporting Achievement Level Descriptors Toolkit Coming Soon!
• Accessing 2025–26 Summative Assessment Results in the California Educator Reporting System—Training Starts Soon!
• Register Now for the Fall Charter School In-Person Assessment Convenings
• 2026 California Assessment Conference Registration and Call for Presenters Are Open
• New Coordinator Training Webinar: Prepping Initial ELPAC
• Educators Needed for ELA and Mathematics Data Review

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 361– April 10, 2026

• Systems Downtime Reminder
• April’s Featured Tools for Teachers Resource

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 360 – April 3, 2026

• Upcoming System Downtime

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 359 – March 27, 2026

• 2026 California Spanish Assessment Focus Group Sessions

Assesment Spotlight, Issue 358 – March 20, 2026

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #11
• California Science Test Universal Tools: Periodic Table and Formula Reference Sheets

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 357 – March 13, 2026

• “Do Your Best on the Test” Video Showcase
• Reminder: New Procedures for 2026 Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
• March’s Featured Tools for Teachers Resource

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 356 – March 6, 2026

• Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network
• Registration Open for High School Equivalency Summer Convenings!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 355 – February 27, 2026

• Release of 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress Mapping Study Results
• Save the Date for the 2026 California Assessment Conference

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 354 – February 20, 2026

• Authentic Tasks for Learning and Assessment in Science Bank Professional Learning Webinar
• Increased Security Incidents Involving Student Cell Phones/Electronic Devices and Use of Artificial Intelligence
• Take a Test Drive Before Test Day! Explore Using the Interim Assessment Viewing System

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 353 – February 13, 2026

• Save the Date for High School Equivalency Summer Convenings!
• Physical Fitness Test
• February’s Featured Tools for Teachers Resource

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 352 – February 06, 2026

• Organization of the California Science Test
• Attention Teachers: California Needs Your Professional Experience and Content Expertise - February 13 Application Deadline
• CERS—Beyond the Basics Training Series Starts Soon

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 351 – January 30, 2026

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #10
• Reminder: New Procedures for the 2026 Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
• 2025–26 Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Testing Window Opens
• Register Now for Accessibility Webinar
• Updated Practice Tests for Alternate Assessments
• National Assessment of Educational Progress Testing Window Opens

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 350 – January 16, 2026

• K–2 Educator Involvement Opportunity for English Language Arts and Math Resource Development 
• Reminder to Register for the 2025–26 Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series
• California Educator Reporting System Trainings: Register Now
• Authentic Tasks for Learning and Assessment in Science Task Bank Launch

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 349 – January 9, 2026

• Criteria for Alternate Assessment Participation Webinar
• Systems Downtime Reminder
• January’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 348 – January 2, 2026

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #9: Support During Testing  
• Now Available: CAASPP Test Administrator Training Materials 
• 2026 Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: New Procedure 
• Upcoming Systems Downtime 
• Reminder to Register for the 2025–26 Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series 
• Site Administrators Kick Off the New Year in the Know 
• K–2 Educator Recruitment for English Language Arts and Math Resource Development 

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 347 – December 5, 2025

• ELPAC Reminder – Pause and Replay
• Registration Now Open for CERS Trainings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 346 – November 21, 2025

• Updated: California Assessment Accessibility Resource Graphics
• Updated: CAASPP and ELPAC Student Needs Matching Tool

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 345 – November 14, 2025

• November’s Featured Tools for Teachers Resource

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 344 – November 7, 2025

• California Assessment Accessibility Resources Updated for 2025–26
• Reminder: Complete the 1.0 Percent Threshold and Justification Survey Now
• Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network
• Understand How Student Writing is Scored with the Smarter Annotated Response Tool
• Reminder to Register for the 2025–26 Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 343 – October 24, 2025

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #7 – Preparing for Testing – Register Now
• Reminder: Complete the 1.0 Percent Threshold and Justification Survey Now

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 342 – October 17, 2025

• Organization of the CAA for Science Flyer
• Apply Now to Participate in the English Language Arts/Literacy Item Review

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 341 – October 10, 2025

• Educators Needed for Smarter Balanced Item Review
• Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network
• California Spanish Assessment Updates
• October’s Featured Tools for Teachers Resource

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 340 – October 3, 2025

• Complete the 1.0 Percent Threshold and Justification Survey Now
• Registration Now Open for the Formative Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 339 – September 26, 2025

• Final Sessions of the 2025–26 Introduction to California Educator Reporting System Training

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 338 – September 19, 2025

• 1.0 Percent Threshold and Justification Survey Now Available
• California Alternate Assessment for Science Testing Window Opens
• New CAASPP Test Administrator Training Materials
• New Coordinator Training Webinar #6 – Practice Tests, Training Tests, and Interim Assessments
• Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 337 – September 12, 2025

• Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Item Portal
• September’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 336 – September 5, 2025

• English Language Proficiency Assessment Requirements for Foreign Exchange Students

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 335 – August 29, 2025

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #5

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 334 – August 22, 2025

• September 2025: In-Person Fall New Coordinator Convenings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 333 – August 15, 2025

• Educators Needed for Smarter Balanced Item and Passage Reviews
• Fall Registration Now Open: 2025 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 332 – August 08, 2025

• Now Available! 2025–26 Interim Assessments
• California Educator Reporting System Training Starting Soon
• Training Courses for the California Alternate Assessments Available Now
• August’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 331 – August 1, 2025

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #4—Assessment Systems and Test Operations Management System
• ELPAC Students Meeting Reclassification Criteria 1 Report

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 330 – July 25, 2025

• Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 329 – July 18, 2025

• 2025 California Assessment Conference – Register Today!
• ELPAC: Implementing the Home Language Survey in California Schools
• Reminder: 2025–26 Introduction to CERS Training Starts Soon!
• California Alternate Assessment for Science Administration Planning Materials for 2025–26

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 328 – July 11, 2025

• Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting
• July's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Listen Up About Habitats: Identify Key Details

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 327 – June 27, 2025

• Updated 2025–26 ELPAC Information Guide Coming Soon!
• Window Opening for the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC
• Reminder—2025 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series July Sessions

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 326 – June 20, 2025

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #3 – Receiving Scores
• Systems Downtime Reminder

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 325 – June 13, 2025

• Upcoming Systems Downtime
• June’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Shake it Up!
• Register Now! August 2025 - Equivalency and Proficiency Summer Convenings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 324 – June 6, 2025

• Seeking Educators to Participate in the Development of the California Spanish Assessment
• Summer Registration Open—2025 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 323 – May 30, 2025

• 2025 California Assessment Conference
• New Coordinator Training Webinar #2 – Managing Users

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 322 – May 23, 2025

• Updates to the 2025–26 California Alternate Assessment for Science

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 321 – May 16th, 2025

• May Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting
• 2025–26 New Coordinator Training Webinar #1

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 320 – May 9, 2025

• The “Do Your Best on the Test” Video Showcase
• Registration Now Open for the 2025–26 Introduction to CERS Training
• May’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 319 – May 2, 2025

• Upcoming Training—Accessing Summative Assessment Results

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 318 – April 25, 2025

• May Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting
• Practice Tests for the California Science Test
• California Spanish Assessment Practice Test Scoring Guides

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 317 – April 18, 2025

• Training Reminder—Accessing Summative Assessment Results

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 316 – April 11, 2025

• 2025 California Assessment Conference Registration and Call for Presenters Are Open!
• May Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting
• Recent Updates to the Smarter Annotated Response Tool
• Register Now! August 2025 - Equivalency and Proficiency Summer Convenings
• April’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—The Clone Challenges: Proving Congruence Through Transformations

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 315 – April 04, 2025

• Shared Practices: California Science Test Interim Assessments in High School
• System Downtime Reminder

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 314 – March 28, 2025

• Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
• Shared Practices: California Science Test Interim Assessments in Middle School
• Urgent Need of Educators for the California Spanish Assessment Achievement Level Descriptors Review Meeting

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 313 – March 21, 2025

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #12–Preparing for Scores
• Shared Practices: California Science Test Interim Assessments in Elementary Grades
  

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 312 – March 14, 2025

• Save-the-Date for the 2025 California Assessment Conference
• Shared Practices: California Science Test Interim Assessments
• California Spanish Assessment Testing Window Opened!
• March’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—A Rainy Day at the Farmer’s Market: Multiple Meaning Words

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 311 – March 07, 2025

• California Educator Reporting System Sandbox Updates
• Registration is now open for the California Proficiency Program and High School Equivalency Summer Convenings!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 310 – February 28, 2025

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #11 – Gathering Feedback After Testing – Register Now
• Use California Science Test Interim Assessments to Support Science Instruction
• California Educator Reporting System Spring Training Starts Soon!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 309 – February 14, 2025

• Science Test Universal Tools: Periodic Table and Formula Reference Sheets
• February’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Supertrees and Climate Change
  

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 308 – February 7, 2025

• Organization of the California Science Test
• Updated Quick Reference Guides

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 307 – January 31, 2025

• 2024–25 Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Testing Window Opens

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 306 – January 24, 2025

• 2024–25 CAASPP Summative Assessment Window Opens
• Register Now for the New Coordinator Training Webinar
• New Vignettes Posted to the Coordinator How–to Hub
• Site Administrator Resource Survey
• California Educator Reporting System Trainings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 305 – January 17, 2025

• Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC Timeline Extension for Local Educational Agencies Impacted by Wildfires
• February Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting
• Site Administrator Resource Survey
• Tools for Teachers—Newly Added Instructional Resources

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 304 – January 10, 2025

• January Site Administrator Assessment Convenings
• CERS Interpretive Guide Update
• Deadline Extensions—Teaching and Learning Innovation Award
• California Proficiency Program
• January’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Understanding Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments
  

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 303 – December 20, 2024

• Systems Downtime Reminder

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 302 – December 13, 2024

• How Long-Term English Learner Students are Reported
• December’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Let’s Make Sense of Multiplication

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 301 – December 6, 2024

• Coordinator How-to Hub
• ELPAC Results Are In – Now What? Webinar
• Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
• Registration Open for Spring CERS Trainings