Assessment Spotlight

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 (PDF).

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 list serv, 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 32 – February 13, 2019
• Issue 31 – February 7, 2019
• Issue 30 – January 30, 2019
• Issue 29 – January 23, 2019
• Issue 28 –January 17, 2019
• Issue 27 – January 10, 2019
• Issue 26 – December 26, 2018
• Issue 25 – December 19, 2018
• Issue 24 – December 12, 2018
• Issue 23 – December 5, 2018
• Issue 22 – November 28, 2018
• Issue 21 – November 21, 2018
• Issue 20 – November 15, 2018
• Issue 19 – November 7, 2018
• Issue 18 – October 31, 2018
• Issue 17 – October 24, 2018
• Issue 16 – October 17, 2018
• Issue 15 – October 10, 2018
• Issue 14 – October 3, 2018
• Issue 13 – September 26, 2018
• Issue 12 – September 19, 2018
• Issue 11 – September 12, 2018
• Issue 10 – September 5, 2018
• Issue 9 – August 29, 2018
• Issue 8 – August 22, 2018
• Issue 7 – August 15, 2018
• Issue 6 – August 8, 2018
• Issue 5 – August 1, 2018
• Issue 4 – July 25, 2018
• Issue 3 – July 18, 2018
• Issue 2 – July 11, 2018
• Issue 1 – July 5, 2018

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 32 – February 13, 2019

• Now Available! 2018–19 CAASPP and ELPAC Pretest Workshop Materials
• ELPAC—Testing Irregularities and Security Breaches
• All About Accessibility

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 31 – February 7, 2019

• State Assessment Apportionment System
• Translations of Parent Notification Letter Template Available!
• This Month’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“5^th Graders Analyzing Text: Text Talk Time”
• All About Accessibility
• ELPAC

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 30 – January 30, 2019

• Electronic Student Score Reports Coming Soon!
• Save the Date: CAST Training Webcast in February
• Test Examiner Tutorial Now Available for CAA for Science
• Science and Assessment Contest for K–5 Teachers!
• All About Accessibility
• ELPAC––Updated Resource
• Educators Needed for Alternate ELPAC Development Activities in 2019

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 29 – January 23, 2019

• Educators Needed for Assessment Development Activities
• Updated CAASPP Resources
•  All About Accessibility

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 28 – January 17, 2019

• Assignment of Designated Supports and Accommodations—Data Posted
• All About Accessibility
• CAST Practice Tests in Braille Are Here!
• CAA for Science Administration Planning Guides Posted!
• 2019 California Assessment Conference

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 27 – January 10, 2019

• State Assessment Apportionment System
• Updated Web Page and New Resources Available!
• Now Posted: California Alternate Assessment for Science Webcast!
• ELPAC: Summative ELPAC Test Administration Manual Coming Soon!
• California Spanish Assessment: Practice Tests Now Available
• Reminder: Administrator Resources Available for the Interim Assessment Reporting System
• CAASPP Regulations Public Comment Period Open

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 26 – December 26, 2018

• Calendar Reminder: CAASPP and ELPAC System Downtime Fast Approaching
• This Month’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“Sticky Note Graphs”
• ELPAC Rotating Score Validation Process Corrections
• California High School Proficiency Exam
• Physical Fitness Test

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 25 – December 19, 2018

• For Kids, By Kids Video Contest Winners

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 24 – December 12, 2018

• New Resources for the ELPAC!
• ELPAC Regulations: Domain Exemptions and Alternate Assessments
• Initial ELPAC Threshold Scores Review
• ELPAC Rotation Score Validation Process
• California Spanish Assessment––New Resource Available!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 23 – December 5, 2018

• Mark Your Calendar: CAA for Science Webcast Next Week!
• December’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“How Can I Trust You? Ways to Evaluate Source Credibility”

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 22 – November 28, 2018

• California Science Test Classroom Resources Now Available!
• Interim Assessments and Digital Library: New Video for Staff
• Reminder: Educator Feedback Needed for New IABs

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 21 – November 21, 2018

• Opportunity for Classroom Teachers to Provide Input on Design of New Interim Assessment Blocks
• CDE Seeking Input from California Science Educators

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 20 – November 15, 2018

• California’s Science Tests—Are You Ready to Assess Your High School Students?
• California Spanish Assessment Data Review Meeting––Educator Participation Makes a Difference!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 19 – November 7, 2018

• They’re Here—New Practice and Updated Training Tests for the California Science Test!
• Online Training Performance Task for California Alternate Assessment for Science
• New Feature for Summative ELPAC Eligibility Report
• November’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“Systems of Equations Class Debate”

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 18 – October 31, 2018

• ELPAC Summary Reports Released
• New Resource Offers Guidance on the ELPAC!
• In the Loop: Updating LEA ELPAC Contact Information
• We Asked, and You Responded!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 17 – October 24, 2018

• New! Guide for Using Completion Status and Roster Management Systems
• Updated Accessibility Resource Now Available for Science
• Video Contest—Keep Those Votes Coming!
• California Spanish Assessment
• ELPAC Guidance
• ELPAC Question Corner

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 16 – October 17, 2018

• Coordinator Survey: Share Your Feedback!
• New English-Spanish Glossary Available

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 15 – October 10, 2018

• Updated Digital Library Playlists
• Accessibility
• ELPAC Search Function Now Available!
• ELPAC: Use of Preliminary Scoring Rubrics in TOMS During CALPADS Downtime
• ELPAC Development—Opportunity for Educators!
• More Resources for the ELPAC

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 14 – October 3, 2018

• This Month’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“Using Rubrics to Improve Student Writing”
• Now Posted: Webinar About the ELPAC and CALPADS Data!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 13 – September 26, 2018

• Update: Planned CALPADS Downtime Extended
• New Look for Testing Web Pages
• For Kids, By Kids Video Contest: Voting Is Open
• 2018–19 CAASPP Interim Assessment User Guide Now Available
• Updated High School Science Test Administration Resource––Now Available!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 12 – September 19, 2018

• New Two-Step Authentication Logon Process for TOMS
• Reminder: Planned CALPADS Downtime for System Updates
• New Manuals for the Summative Assessments
• Accessibility
• CSA Field Test Under Way
• CSA Data Review Meeting This Fall
• New ELPAC Resource
• ELPAC Student Data Extract Report Coming Soon!
• ELPAC Question Corner

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 11 – September 12, 2018

• Planned CALPADS Downtime for System Updates
• CAASPP Institute—Register Now for a Fantastic Professional Development Opportunity!
• ELPAC––Important Updates

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 10 – September 5, 2018

• All Systems “GO!” for CAASPP Online Components
• Interim Assessments
• This Month’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“Formative Assessment Quotes”
• Coming Right Up: 2018 North-South Meeting!
• ELPAC Matrix 4 Updated!
• No English Learners? ELPAC Coordinator Designation Still Required
• ELPAC Question Corner
• California Spanish Assessment Field Test: Resources Available

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 9 – August 29, 2018

• Step Right Up: Training for New ELPAC Coordinators Next Month
• Reminder—Professional Learning Opportunity for Science Teachers: CAST Academy
• ELPAC Development Activities: Opportunities for Educators
• ELPAC Question Corner

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 8 – August 22, 2018

• Downtime for CAASPP Online System Components
• CAST Academy, October 2018!
• Calculating Preliminary Initial ELPAC Scores
• New ELPAC Resources!
• ELPAC/CALPADS Webinar
• ELPAC Question Corner

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 7 – August 15, 2018

• Save the Date: 2018 North-South Meeting in September
• Social Media: Check Us Out!
• Smarter Balanced Sample Items Website
• Accessibility
• California Spanish Assessment–Field Test Nearing
• Amended Emergency ELPAC Regulations
• ELPAC Question Corner

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 6 – August 8, 2018

• Gearing Up for the New School Year: Key Features of the Interim Assessment Reporting System
• CAASPP Institute: Calling All Teachers!
• Accessibility
• ELPAC Training This Fall
• Start the New School Year with New ELPAC Resources

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 5 – August 1, 2018

• August’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“Exploring Pi with ‘Sir Cumference'"
• ELPAC Question Corner
• Invitation to LEAs: Field-Testing the California Spanish Assessment

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 4 – July 25, 2018

• ELPAC – A Round of Applause for Use of the Local Scoring Tool!
• Initial ELPAC Parent Notification Translations Now Available

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 3 – July 18, 2018

• 2017–18 CAASPP Administration Closes on Successful Note
• Sample CAASPP Student Score Reports and Guides to the Reports
• More Progress for ELPAC!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 2 – July 11, 2018

• Notes on the ELPAC

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 1 – July 5, 2018

• New Name for the CAASPP Update
• July’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“Inferencing: Drawing Conclusions in an Informational Text”