Assessment Spotlight, Issue 320

Focusing on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (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 and ELPAC website.

The “Do Your Best on the Test” Video Showcase

The “Do Your Best on the Test” video showcase is an opportunity for students to share how they can do their best on statewide assessments. Students are also encouraged to share their thoughts on the importance of high-quality education and how it prepares them for college and career.

Individuals or teams of K–12 students are encouraged to create a video that captures student voices and thoughts about doing their best on the test. Participants may be selected to have their video featured on the CAASPP & ELPAC YouTube channel and in social media posts. They may also have portions of their video incorporated into promotional materials shown to students throughout California to inspire other students to do their best on the tests.

The video must include the phrase “Do Your Best on the Test” and creatively embrace one or more of the following goals:

• Why statewide testing is important
• How statewide testing supports college and/or career readiness
• Ways statewide testing improves teaching and learning
• How students prepare for statewide testing, such as tips to feel their best
• Impact of reclassification (ELPAC only)
  

Videos should be approximately 75 seconds in length. All video submissions must be received by Friday, October 3, 2025. Submit videos through the “Do Your Best on the Test” Student Video Showcase Submission Form . Each participating student must complete and upload a video release form from the California Department of Education (CDE) website with their video submission.

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Aimee Myers amyers@scoe.net.

Registration Now Open for the 2025–26 Introduction to CERS Training

Registration is now open for the 2025–26 Introduction to the California Educator Reporting System (CERS) online training . This free training, sponsored by the CDE, is designed to help local educational agency (LEA) staff become familiar with the features and functions of CERS. Two training sessions are available, each tailored for specific educators.

Introduction to CERS for Test Coordinators and Administrators

Register for 2025–26 Introduction to CERS for Test Coordinators and Administrators . This three-hour online training is designed for staff who have an LEA or site coordinator role in the Test Operations Management System. This training session will be offered on the following dates:

• August 20, 2025, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
• October 7, 2025, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

Introduction to CERS for Teachers

Register for the 2025–26 Introduction to CERS for Teachers. This two-hour online training is designed for teachers and other LEA staff who have, or will have, access to assessment results in CERS. This training session will be offered on the following dates:

• August 27, 2025, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
• October 9, 2025, 3:30–5:30 p.m.

May’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers

This month’s featured Tools for Teachers resource, ELPAC Writing Domain—Write about Academic Information (WAI) Task Type (account required), is a professional learning resource designed to introduce educators to the ELPAC task type: Write about Academic Information (WAI) for grades 3–12. This resource is intended for a training facilitator to use while leading a professional learning session with a group of educators, or teachers can use it independently.

The activities in this resource incorporate the formative assessment process and use the Interim Assessment Viewing System to explore ELPAC Interim Assessment items. Through collaborative small group activities, educators deconstruct the task type, review the scoring rubric, and identify how to support English learners during instruction. Detailed information, including a slide presentation, supporting materials, and step-by-step directions focused on the Writing Domain and WAI task type are provided.

To view this and other Tools for Teachers resources, LEA staff need a Tools for Teachers account, which can be obtained either through self-registration, described in the flyer How to Self-Register for Tools for Teachers , or through their LEA CAASPP or ELPAC coordinator.

To receive future CAASPP and ELPAC updates and notifications, subscribe to the CAASPP mailing list by sending a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. Are you a new subscriber? For previous Assessment Spotlight issues, visit the California Department of Education Assessment Spotlight web page.