Assessment Spotlight

Abbreviation	Definition
CAA	California Alternate Assessment
CAASPP	California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
CAC	California Assessment Conference
CALPADS	California Longitudinal Pupil Data System
CAST	California Science Test
CERS	California Educator Reporting System
CHSPE	California High School Proficiency Examination
CSA	California Spanish Assessment
ELPAC	English Language Proficiency Assessments for California
HSE	high school equivalency
ICILS	International Computer and Information Literacy Study
LEA	local educational agency
STAIRS	Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System

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

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 300 – November 15, 2024

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #8–Preparing for Testing Continued–Register Now
• Application Period Open for Smarter Balanced Teaching and Learning Innovation Award

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 299 – November 8, 2024

• November’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers
• Seeking Educators to Participate in the Development of the California Spanish Assessment

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 298 – November 1, 2024

• New Coordinator Training Webinar #7–Preparing for Testing
• Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Meeting
• New! Interim Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Playlist
• Complete the 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 297 – October 18, 2024

• California Assessment Accessibility Resource Graphics for 2024–25
• NEW—CAASPP Student Needs Matching Tool
• Complete the California Alternate Assessments 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey Now

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 296 – October 11, 2024

• 2023–24 Assessment Results Release
• October’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—ELPAC Speaking Domain: Summarize an Academic Presentation Task Type

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 295 – October 4, 2024

• California High School Proficiency Exam Certification Letter Request
• Results Are In – Now What? Webinar
• Coordinator How–to Hub
• California Educator Reporting System: Live Trainings and On-Demand Microlearning Videos

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 294 – September 27, 2024

• Complete the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC Before Census Day
• Final Sessions of the 2024–25 Introduction to the California Educator Reporting System Training
• 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 293 – September 20, 2024

• New English Language Proficiency Assessments for California Interim Assessments Available!
• California Alternate Assessment for Science Testing Window Opens
• National Assessment Governing Board accepting Nominations

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 292 – September 13, 2024

• Training Courses for the California Alternate Assessments Now Available
• Apply for English Language Arts/Literacy Item Review #2
• California Proficiency Program
• Systems Downtime Reminder
• September’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Shaping Solutions for Erosion Control

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 291 – September 6, 2024

• 2023–24 Assessment Results Preview and Public Release
• California Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix for 2024–25
• Upcoming Systems Downtime
• Reminder: Interim Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series
• Interim Assessment User Guide and Video Series Now Available!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 290 – August 30, 2024

• 2024 California Assessment Conference: Register for Three Days of Learning and Connecting
• Register Now for New Coordinator Training Webinar #5 – Accessibility
• Join us for the Fall Site Administrator Assessment Convenings
• Organization of the California Alternate Assessment for Science

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 289 – August 23, 2024

• California Alternate Assessment for Science Administration Planning Guides
• High School Equivalency Program Updates
  

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 288 – August 16, 2024

• Register Now: Webinar #5 – Accessibility
• Join us for the Site Administrator Fall Assessment Convenings
• Educators Needed for Smarter Balanced Item Review ~ Join us today!
• Back-to-School Interim and Formative Assessments Training Sessions

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 287 – August 9, 2024

• Now Available: 2024–25 Interim Assessments
• Registration Open! 2024–25 Interim Assessment Shared Practices Webinar Series
• August’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Club Budget

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 286 – August 2, 2024

• Systems Downtime Reminder
• The Brand New Coordinator How-to Hub
• Updated ELPAC Information Guide Just Posted

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 285 – July 26, 2024

• Upcoming Systems Downtime
• 2024 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting Starts Next Week

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 284 – July 12, 2024

• California Educator Reporting System Trainings Starting Soon
• July’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—How a Picture Tells a Story

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 283 – July 5, 2024

• August 2024: Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting
• New Coordinator Training Webinar #3─Receiving Scores
• Reminder—2024 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series July Sessions

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 282 – June 28, 2024

• Systems Downtime Reminder
• Register Now for the 2024 California Assessment Conference
• Register for the 2024 August Summer Convenings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 281 – June 21, 2024

• Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
• Student Score Report Delivery
• Educators Needed for Smarter Balanced Data Review!
• Summer Trainings Starting Soon!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 280 – June 14, 2024

• Student Score Reports Status
• Apply Now for Smarter Balanced English Language Arts/Literacy Item Review #1
• June’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—The Apple of My Eye

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 279 – June 7, 2024

• 2024 Assessment Training Series: Summer Registration Open

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 278 – May 31, 2024

• Register Now for August 2024 Assessment and Accountability Meeting

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 277 – May 24, 2024

• 2024 California Assessment Conference Call for Proposals
• Summative ELPAC Results Are Now Available for Supporting Reclassification Efforts

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 276 – May 17, 2024

• Redesigned Student Score Reports
• Apply Now for Smarter Balanced Math Range Finding

Assesment Spotlight, Issue 275 – May 10, 2024

• Mark Your Calendar: Charter School
• Registration Now Open for the 2024–25 Introduction to CERS Training
• May’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Intro to Quadratic Formula

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 274 – May 3, 2024

• ELPAC Reminder
• Starting Soon—CERS Spring Training Sessions
• 2024 August Summer Convenings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 273 – April 19, 2024

• 2024 California Assessment Conference Registration is Open!
• Upcoming Smarter Balanced Educator Opportunities!
• Question of the Week for ELPAC
• Reminder—Register for CERS Spring Training Sessions
• HiSET® Hits the Road!
• 2024 GED National Conference

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 272 – April 12, 2024

• Questions of the Week for ELPAC
• System Downtime Underway
• April’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Sort for Support

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 271 – April 5, 2024

• Upcoming Systems Downtime

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 255 – December 1, 2023

• Latest Update on Interim Assessment Video Series
• California Spanish Assessment

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 253 – November 3, 2023

• Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Quarterly Meeting is Coming Up on November 29, 2023
• Fall ELPAC New Coordinator Trainings – Register Now
• Understanding the Role of Interim Assessments
• Act Now: Important Update Regarding Expiring HiSET Test Vouchers

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 252 – October 27, 2023

• New CAST and ELPAC Interim Assessments Ready for Administration to Students