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 (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 42 – April 25, 2019
Issue 41 – April 17, 2019
Issue 40 – April 10, 2019
Issue 39 – April 4, 2019
Issue 38 – March 28, 2019
Issue 37 – March 21, 2019
Issue 36 – March 13, 2019
Issue 35 – March 6, 2019
Issue 34 – February 27, 2019
Issue 33 – February 20, 2019
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 42 – April 25, 2019

New for CAASPP and ELPAC: “Get Involved” Web Pages!
Focus on Test Security—Pause Rules and Grace Period Extensions
New Video––ELPAC Accessibility Resources
Reminder: Registration Is Open for 2019 Summer Institute!
All About Accessibility

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 41 – April 17, 2019

Focus on Test Security—What Happens After I Submit My STAIRS Appeal?
Registration Now Open for the 2019 Summer Institute!
Get Involved! CAA for ELA “Second Score” Research Study
California Spanish Assessment
All About Accessibility

Assessment Update, Issue 40 – April 10, 2019

Do I Really Need an Appeal? (And What Not to Report in STAIRS)
Updated Available Resources Flyers for Science Are Here!
Initial and Summative ELPAC: Important Dates
All About Accessibility

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 39 – April 4, 2019

Register Now for 2019 California Assessment Conference Early Bird Special!
Focus on Test Security—STAIRS Delayed Appeals
April’s Featured Digital Library Resource: “Problem Solving—Dill’er Up 3-Acts Math Lesson”
All About Accessibility

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 38 – March 28, 2019

Completion Status Reports for the CAASPP Administration
Braille Operational CAST Available Next Week!
All About Accessibility
Updated Data Dictionary for Interim Assessment Reporting System Exports
ELPAC––Superintendent Designation Forms
Register for 2018–19 Post-Test Workshops
CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators: Save the Date! 2019 Assessment Information Meetings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 37 – March 21, 2019

Focus on Test Security—Entering an Incident on the STAIRS Form
Now Posted: California Science Test Webcast!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 36 – March 13, 2019

California Science Test: Item Specifications Available!
Focus on Test Security—Overview of the STAIRS/Appeals Process
ELPAC Domain Information Sheets Now Available in Spanish!
Summative ELPAC Test Administration
All About Accessibility
2019 California Assessment Conference: Registration Opens Friday

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 35 – March 6, 2019

CAASPP Manuals for a Successful Administration!
Focus on Test Security: New STAIRS/Appeals Process
This Month’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“Determining Word Meanings Using an Excerpt from ‘Charles’ by Shirley Jackson”
Next Generation Science Standards: Three-Dimensional Learning Is a SNAP!
Reminder: Science Reference Tools Available
All About Accessibility
California Spanish Assessment

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 34 – February 27, 2019

New Video—California Science Test and the Next Generation Science Standards!
More About the CAST: Planning Your Pause Points
All About Accessibility
New At-a-Glance Resource for Smarter Balanced Practice Tests, Training Tests, and Interim Assessments!
Summative ELPAC

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 33 – February 20, 2019

There’s Still Time to Submit Entries for Science: It’s Elementary!
All About Accessibility

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