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Assessment Spotlight

Email updates sent out through the California Department of Education statewide assessments electronic mailing lists.

The California Department of Education (CDE) Assessment Spotlight is a regular email for kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) educators, including testing coordinators, that reports on current and upcoming activities related to statewide testing.

To join the email list, send a blank message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. If you would like to unsubscribe from the CDE statewide assessments listserv, send a blank message to unsubscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

The following links direct users to a list of topics covered within each update:

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 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 270 – March 29, 2024

  • New Coordinator Training Webinar #5—Receiving Scores
  • Test Security Exclusions

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 269 – March 22, 2024

  • Redesigned Student Score Reports Are Coming This Year!
  • Focus on Test Security

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 268 – March 15, 2024

  • Technical Issues During Summative Testing
  • Clarification on Who May Take California Proficiency Program Test

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 267 – March 8, 2024

  • March Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Engineering Inspired by Nature!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 266 – March 1, 2024

  • Initial Assessment of English Language Proficiency Continues

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 265 – February 23, 2024

  • Accessibility Resources Updates for 2023–24
  • Desmos Calculator for Smarter Balanced for Mathematics
  • Registration for New CERS Trainings Start Next Week!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 264 – February 16, 2024

  • Science Test Univeral Tool: Desmos Calculator
  • 2024 California Assessment Conference—Save-the-Date

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 263 – February 9, 2024

  • Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Quarterly Meeting
  • Science Test Universal Tools: Periodic Table and Formula Reference Sheet
  • English Language Proficiency Assessments for California
  • February’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Convert Measurements

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 262 – February 2, 2024

  • California Educator Reporting System Updates
  • Science Practice and Training Tests

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 261– January 26, 2024

  • California Proficiency Program
  • New Coordinator Training Webinar #4—Test Security

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 260 – January 19, 2024

  • New Coordinator Training Webinar #4 – Test Security
  • Resource Reminder: Two New Science Flyers
  • Seeking Urgently Educators to Support the Development of the California Spanish Assessment

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 259 – January 12, 2024

  • 2023–24 CAASPP Summative Assessment Window Opens
  • CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessment Video Series Now Available!
  • High School Equivalency – Paper-Based Testing Centers
  • January’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Making Sentences Zing!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 258 – January 5, 2024

  • System Downtime Underway
  • High School Proficiency and Equivalency
  • Register for Upcoming CERS Trainings!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 257 – December 15, 2023

  • California Assessment Accessibility Resource Graphics for 2023–24
  • Administering the California Alternate Assessment for Science
  • ELPAC Question of the Week
  • Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 256 – December 8, 2023

  • Educator Opportunity to Develop Science Resources
  • December’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Get Down and Dirty

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 255 – December 1, 2023

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

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 254 – November 9, 2023

  • Upcoming Educator Opportunity: CSA Development
  • November’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Express Yourself

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

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 251 – October 20, 2023

  • Fall English Language Proficiency Assessments for California New Coordinator Trainings – Register Now
  • Interim Assessment User Guide Now Available!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 250 – October 13, 2023

  • California Assessment System
  • Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting Recordings
  • October’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Who Has the Right to VOTE? Examining Historical Sources to Support Research

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 249 – October 6, 2023

  • California Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix for 2023–24
  • New ELPAC Domain Exemption Decision-Making Tool
  • Reminder: Register for the 2023–24 Introduction to CERS Training

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 248 – September 29, 2023

  • Reminder—Complete the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC Before Census Day
  • Quick Reference Guide Web Page Updates
  • Complete Your 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey Now
  • Redesigned Student Score Reports Approved by the State Board of Education
  • Opportunity This Fall: Smarter Balanced Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy Item Review

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 247 – September 22, 2023

  • Preview Available Now for the New California Science Test and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California Interim Assessments
  • Introducing the New Interim Assessments Webinars

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 246 – September 15, 2023

  • Now Available: 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey
  • Reminder—Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
  • Reminder—2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series Fall Sessions
  • California Alternative Assessment for Science Testing Window Opens September 19, 2023
  • New HiSET® Session Self-Service Training Required

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 245 – September 8, 2023

  • 2023 California Assessment Conference: Register to Learn from Colleagues Across the State
  • New Coordinator Training Webinar #3 – Student Practice
  • Coming Soon! Interim Assessments for the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California and the California Science Test
  • Introducing the New Interim Assessments Webinars
  • September’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—What A Relief!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 244 – August 25, 2023

  • Reminder—Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments are Available

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 243 – August 18, 2023

  • 2023 California Assessment Conference—Register Today for Two Days of Learning and Connecting
  • New Coordinator Training Webinar #2—Accessibility
  • Opportunity This Fall: Smarter Balanced Math and English Language Arts/Literacy Item Review

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 242 – August 11, 2023

  • 2023 California Department of Education Local Educational Agency Coordinator Survey
  • Updates to the Student Accessibility Resource Web Page
  • August's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Time Waits for No One

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 241 – August 4, 2023

  • Now Available! 2023–24 Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments
  • Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Quarterly Meeting—August 23, 2023
  • Summer CAASPP New Coordinators Training—Register Now
  • California Alternate Assessment for Science Administration Planning Guides
  • ELPAC Question of the Week

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 240 – July 28, 2023

  • 2023 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting Starts Next Week
  • CAASPP and ELPAC Systems Downtime Reminder

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 239 – July 14, 2023

  • Register for Your Spot at the 2023 High School Equivalency and Proficiency Summer Convenings!
  • 2023 California Assessment Conference—Featuring Keynote Speakers, Dr. Andrew Ho and Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
  • July’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Tell Me More

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 238 – July 7, 2023

  • Reminder—Summer Trainings Starting Soon
  • Generating Statewide Student Identifiers—Clarification

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 237 – June 30, 2023

  • Reminder—Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
  • Generating Statewide Student Identifiers Takes Time

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 236 – June 23, 2023

  • Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
  • Register for the 2023 High School Equivalency and Proficiency Summer Convenings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 235 – June 16, 2023

  • Interim Assessments Summer Trainings Starting Soon
  • 2023–24 ELPAC Information Guide Just Posted

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 234 – June 9, 2023

  • 2023 California Assessment Conference—Last Call for Session Presenters
  • June’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Are We Really One of a Kind?

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 233 – May 26, 2023

  • New Alternate Assessment Decision Making Worksheet
  • Summative ELPAC Testing Window Closing—Speaking Data Entry Interface Reminder

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 232 – May 19, 2023

  • August 2023: Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting
  • 2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series—Registration Now Open for Summer Sessions
  • Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC Newly Enrolled Students

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 231 – May 12, 2023

  • 2023 California Assessment Conference Call for Proposals
  • Focus on Test Security—What Happens After I Submit My Appeal?
  • May’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Qrazy Quadratic Quations

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 230 – May 5, 2023

  • Registration Now Open for the 2023–24 Introduction to CERS Training
  • Registration Open for 2023 High School Equivalency and Proficiency Summer Convenings
  • Reporting Physical Fitness Test Results

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 229 – April 28, 2023

  • Close of the ELPAC Testing Window Quickly Approaching!
  • Focus on Test Security—Pause Rules and Grace Period Extensions
  • California High School Equivalency Program
  • California High School Proficiency Examination

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 228 – April 21, 2023

  • 2023 California Assessment Conference—Registration Now Open
  • Discover the Power of Peer-to-Peer Learning!
  • Focus on Test Security—What Not to Report in STAIRS
  • 2022–23 Sample Student Score Reports Available Now
  • Charter School Assessment Coordinators—Charter Network Quarterly Meeting Is Next Week

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 227 – April 14, 2023

  • Reminder—Register for CERS Spring Training Sessions
  • April’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Shades of Meaning
  • 2023 High School Equivalency and Proficiency Summer Convenings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 226 – April 7, 2023

  • Requesting Unlisted Resources
  • California Spanish Assessment—Educators Urgently Needed
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 225 – March 24, 2023
  • Focus on Test Security: Overview of the STAIRS/Appeals Process
  • Updates to the 2022–23 ELPAC Information Guide

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 224 – March 10, 2023

  • March's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Ants are Superorganisms

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 223 – March 3, 2023

  • New Coordinator Training Webinar #5—Preparing to Receive Scores
  • 2023 California Assessment Conference – Save the Date
  • Reminder to Complete ELPAC Certification Courses in Moodle

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 222 – February 17, 2023

  • California Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix for 2022–23: Minor Updates
  • Registration Open for Spring Training—Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 221 – February 10, 2023

  • Assignment of Designated Supports and Accommodations—Data Posted
  • Science Resources Reminder: Desmos Calculators and Science Reference Tools
  • February's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Place Value Rumble

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 220 – February 3, 2023

  • Request Form Now Available—Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
  • Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC Testing Has Begun
  • Reminder to Complete LEA ELPAC Certification
  • Translated Versions of Parent Guide to Understanding—Now Available
  • Webinar Reminder: Supporting Student Success with Interim Assessments and Tools for Teachers

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 219 – January 27, 2023

  • Assistance to Storm-affected Local Educational Agencies
  • Now Available—Asynchronous Hand Scoring Modules for Scoring Smarter Balanced Performance Tasks

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 218 – January 20, 2023

  • Reminder: Organization of the Science Tests Flyers are Available
  • Educators Needed for Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners Field Test
  • High School Equivalency and Proficiency 2022–23 Webinar Series

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 217 – January 13, 2023

  • Tools for Teachers: Science Educator Interest Survey
  • January's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Inspiring Investigation: Interpreting & Analyzing Figurative Language
Questions:   California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Office | caaspp@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-8765
Last Reviewed: Monday, April 15, 2024
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