Assessment Spotlight, Issue 332

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 and ELPAC website .

2025–26 Interim Assessments

The 2025–26 CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments—including the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics, California Science Test (CAST) Interim Assessments, and ELPAC Interim Assessments—are now available to be administered in the Test Delivery System and viewed in the Interim Assessment Viewing System .

This includes 22 new Focused Interim Assessment Blocks (FIABs) for the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments. Details are as follows:

• English language arts/literacy: 14 new FIABs
• Mathematics: 8 new FIABs

The CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessment Lookup Tool provides an easy way to access a complete list of all available CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments as well as search for specific subsets.

New this year is the Sample Interim Assessment Test Security Agreement that is optional for local use. Although a test security agreement is not required for interim assessments, it can be used at the discretion of the local educational agency (LEA) and modified as needed.

Secure materials for the interim assessments, including scoring training guides, exemplars, test content and answer keys, and Directions for Administration, have been updated to include the new FIABs. These materials can be accessed in the Test Operations Management System by selecting the [Resources] tab. For ELA and mathematics, the answer keys can be found in the Interim Assessment Item Portal .

More information, resources, and links to related systems are available on the CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments web page and in the Interim Assessment User Guide .

California Educator Reporting System Training Starting Soon

Space is still available for the 2025–26 Introduction to the California Educator Reporting System (CERS) online training. Sponsored by the CDE, this free training helps LEA staff become familiar with the features and functions of CERS. Two training sessions are available, each tailored to a specific audience.

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 manage LEA staff access to CERS. 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.

If you have any questions about the 2025–26 Introduction to CERS trainings, please contact the Sacramento County Office of Education at caaspp@scoe.net.

Training Courses for the California Alternate Assessments Available Now

The following 2025–26 California Alternate Assessment (CAA) Test Examiner Tutorial courses are now available on the Moodle Training website :

• General Requirements Section
• CAA for Science Section
• CAAs for ELA and Mathematics Section

These tutorials provide general information and highlight best practices for the administration of the CAAs. The tutorial does not contain any secure content. The tutorial takes approximately 90 minutes in total and must be completed prior to administering the CAAs.

With the CAA for Science testing window opening on September 16, 2025, test examiners may begin completing their required training. To receive a Certificate of Completion in Science, test examiners must complete the General and CAA for Science sections of the tutorial.

The testing window for the CAAs for ELA and mathematics will open in spring, however the Test Examiner Tutorial section for the CAAs for ELA and mathematics may be completed now on the Moodle Training website . To receive a Certificate of Completion in ELA and mathematics, test examiners must complete the General and CAA for ELA and mathematics sections of the tutorial.

To begin, login to the Moodle Training Site using your assigned enrollment key. If you have not yet received your enrollment key, contact your LEA CAASPP coordinator. The primary and secondary LEA CAASPP coordinators were emailed the Moodle enrollment key and the coordinators can reach out to Moodle Support at moodlesupport@scoe.net for assistance.

August’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers

This month’s featured Tools for Teachers resource, Stacking Cups (account required), offers grade 8 math teachers a lesson plan to help students understand systems of linear equations by making graphs to predict when two stacks of different-sized cups will be the same height. Grounded in collaborative, inquiry-based learning, the lesson includes warm-ups, guided exploration, and group discussions that encourage critical thinking and clear communication of mathematical reasoning.

In the core investigation, students make estimations using graphing to predict when the height of cup stacks will align. Working through Explore, Plan, Test, and Discuss phases, students refine their understanding through testing and peer collaboration through a Sticky Notes and Sort activity. Teachers provide modeling, scaffolded support, and guidance during group discussions to help clarify misconceptions and deepen learning. Students wrap up the lesson by completing Think-Pair-Share activities to share their thoughts about final solutions and what may account for not having height equivalence across stacks. Ready-to-use materials for teachers and students, and a highlighted video, make implementation easy and engaging.

To view this and other instructional resources, LEA staff need a Tools for Teachers account which can be obtained either through self-registration 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.