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 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:
- Issue 254 – November 9, 2023
- Issue 253 – November 3, 2023
- Issue 252 – October 27, 2023
- Issue 251 – October 20, 2023
- Issue 250 – October 13, 2023
- Issue 249 – October 6, 2023
- Issue 248 – September 29, 2023
- Issue 247 – September 22, 2023
- Issue 246 – September 15, 2023
- Issue 245 – September 8, 2023
- Issue 244 – August 25, 2023
- Issue 243 – August 18, 2023
- Issue 242 – August 11, 2023
- Issue 241 – August 4, 2023
- Issue 240 – July 28, 2023
- Issue 239 – July 14, 2023
- Issue 238 – July 7, 2023
- Issue 237 – June 30, 2023
- Issue 236 – June 23, 2023
- Issue 235 – June 16, 2023
- Issue 234 – June 9, 2023
- Issue 233 – May 26, 2023
- Issue 232 – May 19, 2023
- Issue 231 – May 12, 2023
- Issue 230 – May 5, 2023
- Issue 229 – April 28, 2023
- Issue 228 – April 21, 2023
- Issue 227 – April 14, 2023
- Issue 226 – April 7, 2023
- Issue 225 – March 24, 2023
- Issue 224 – March 10, 2023
- Issue 223 – March 3, 2023
- Issue 222 – February 17, 2023
- Issue 221 – February 10, 2023
- Issue 220 – February 3, 2023
- Issue 219 – January 27, 2023
- Issue 218 – January 20, 2023
- Issue 217 – January 13, 2023
- Issue 216 – January 6, 2023
- Issue 215 – December 16, 2022
- Issue 214 – December 9, 2022
- Issue 213 – December 2, 2022
- Issue 212 – November 18, 2022
- Issue 211 – November 11, 2022
- Issue 210 – November 4, 2022
- Issue 209 – October 28, 2022
- Issue 208 – October 21, 2022
- Issue 207 – October 14, 2022
- Issue 206 – October 7, 2022
- Issue 205 – September 30, 2022
- Issue 204 – September 23, 2022
- Issue 203 – September 16, 2022
- Issue 202 – September 9, 2022
- Issue 201 – September 2, 2022
- Issue 200 – August 26, 2022
- Issue 199 – August 19, 2022
- Issue 198 – August 12, 2022
- Issue 197 – August 5, 2022
- Issue 196 – July 29, 2022
- Issue 195 – July 22, 2022
- Issue 194 – July 8, 2022
- Issue 193 – July 1, 2022
- Issue 192 – June 24, 2022
- Issue 191 – June 17, 2022
- Issue 190 – June 10, 2022
- Issue 189 – June 3, 2022
- Issue 188 – May 27, 2022
- Issue 187 – May 20, 2022
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 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
- 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
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 216 – January 6, 2023
- New Coordinator Training Webinar #4—Test Security
- California Science Test Updates
- Supporting Student Success with Interim Assessments and Tools for Teachers Webinar
- 2022–23 Physical Fitness Test Administration Updates
- System Downtime Underway
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 215 – December 16, 2022
- California Assessment System Testing Windows, 2022–23
- Educator Opportunity: California Spanish Assessment Development
- Field Test: Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners
- Registration Open for Spring 2023 CHSPE
- Changes Coming for CHSPE Test Series
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 214 – December 9, 2022
- December's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Interim Assessment Connections Playlist for Mathematics Performance Task
- Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 213 – December 2, 2022
- Reminders and Resources for Administering the CAA for Science
- Desmos Art Contest
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 212 – November 18, 2022
- Field Test of Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 211 – November 11, 2022
- November's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Explore World Climates with Climatograms
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 210 – November 4, 2022
- Register Today for the November Webinar on Formative Assessment and Accessibility Strategies
- High School Equivalency and CHSPE Webinar Series
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 209 – October 28, 2022
- 2021–22 Assessment Results Release
- LEAs: Last Day to Complete Your 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey!
- California Assessment Accessibility Resource Graphics for 2022–23
- New Videos on the Use of Smarter Balanced Tools!
- Instructional and Professional Learning Resources to Support Deeper Learning of Performance Tasks
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 208 – October 21, 2022
-
Data-Driven Decision-Making for Educational Leaders, Module 1: Two Opportunities Remaining
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 207 – October 14, 2022
- CSA Item Writer Workshop Next Month!
- 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey—Deadline Extended to October 28
- October's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Hatching a Plan
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 206 – October 7, 2022
- Last Day to Register: California Assessment Conference
- Data-Drive Decision-Making Trainings for Educational Leaders
- California Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix for 2022–23
- LEAs: Complete Your 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey
- Fall ELPAC New Coordinator Trainings—Register Now
- California Educator Reporting System Training Opportunities
- Boosting Instruction with Formative Assessment and Accessibility Strategies
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 205 – September 30, 2022
- 2022 California Assessment Conference—Secure Your Spot Today
- Now Available: 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey
- State Board of Education Approves Use of Smarter Balanced Adjusted Form Blueprints
- Fall Interim Hand Scoring Sessions Begin Next Week!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 204 – September 23, 2022
- 2022 California Assessment Conference: Spots Still Available
- Don't Miss Out! Tools for Teachers Shared Practices Webinar Next Week
- High School Equivalency: A Transition is in Progress!
- Testing Transitional Kindergarten Students with the Initial ELPAC
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 203 – September 16, 2022
- Census Day Reminder to Complete the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC
- Register for the September Tools for Teachers Shared Practices Webinar
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 202 – September 9, 2022
- 2022 California Assessment Conference: Register Today to Learn from Your Colleagues Across the State
- CSA Item Writer Workshop: Spots Still Available
- Spots Still Available for the 2022 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series Fall Sessions!
- Registration Remains Open for the Introduction to CERS Fall Training Sessions
- High School Equivalency: A Transition is on the Way!
- California High School Proficiency Exam
- September's Featured Professional Learning Resource in Tools for Teachers—Effective School-Home Partnerships!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 201 – September 2, 2022
- Opportunity This Fall: Smarter Balanced Math Item Review!
- October 18–20: CAC to Feature Inspiring Keynote Speakers and Array of Sessions
- October 27: New Coordinator Training Series, Webinar 3—Student Practice
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 200 – August 26, 2022
- 2022 California Assessment Conference: Schedule and Registration Available!
- New Coordinator Training Webinar 2—Accessibility Coming Next Month
- CAST High School Reference Sheet Updated!
- Key Dates for California High School Proficiency Exam
- Reminder: Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 199 – August 19, 2022
- LEA Access to Smarter Balanced Aggregate Area/Claim Results
- Recent Resource Updates: Assessment Timeline, System Chart, and Parent Guides
- CSA Item Writer Workshop: Application Deadline Next Month
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 198 – August 12, 2022
- Now Available! 2022–23 ELPAC Information Guide
- Register Now for Summer CAASPP New Coordinator Training!
- New Resource—Organization of the CAA for Science
- August's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Radical Learning
- Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 197 – August 5, 2022
- Now Available! 2022–23 Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments
- 2022–23 CAA for Science Administration Planning Guides!
- 2022–23 Tools for Teachers Shared Practices Webinar Series
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 196 – July 29, 2022
- 2022 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting Starts Next Week!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 195 – July 22, 2022
- Space Available! Math Interim Assessment Hand Scoring Training Next Week
- Reminder—Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 194 – July 8, 2022
- July's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—In Defense of Kelp
- High School Equivalency Summer Convenings in August!
- Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 193 – July 1, 2022
- New Alternate ELPAC Notification Letters Now Available!
- Downtime This Weekend for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 192 – June 24, 2022
- ELPAC Checklists for 2022–23 Now Available!
- Initial ELPAC Reminder
- Available Soon: 2022–23 Initial ELPAC and Alternate Initial ELPAC!
- Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 191 – June 17, 2022
- Deadline Extended: 2022 CAC Call for Shared Practice Proposals
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 190 – June 10, 2022
- Registration for New Coordinator Training Webinars is Now Open
- Summer Trainings for LEA Staff Starting Soon!
- June's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Send in the Colons
- ELPAC Reminders
- California Spanish Assessment Opportunity to Get Involved!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 189 – June 3, 2022
- 2022 High School Equivalency Summer Covenings in August!
- Alternate ELPAC—Question of the Week
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 188 – May 27, 2022
- 2022 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series—Register Now for Summer Sessions!
- Alternate ELPAC Alignment Workshop—August 1 and 2
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 187 – May 20, 2022
- Updated, Easily Accessible: Quick Reference Guides
- Updated CAA Eligibility Determination Guidance for Parents and Guardians