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 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 63 – September 25, 2019
• Issue 62 – September 18, 2019
• Issue 61 – September 11, 2019
• Issue 60 – September 4, 2019
• Issue 59 – August 28, 2019
• Issue 58 – August 21, 2019
• Issue 57 – August 14, 2019
• Issue 56 – August 7, 2019
• Issue 55 – July 31, 2019
• Issue 54 – July 17, 2019
• Issue 53 – July 10, 2019
• Issue 52 – July 3, 2019
• Issue 51 – June 26, 2019
• Issue 50 – June 19, 2019
• Issue 49 – June 12, 2019
• Issue 48 – June 5, 2019
• Issue 47 – May 29, 2019
• Issue 46 – May 22, 2019
• Issue 45 – May 15, 2019
• Issue 44 – May 8, 2019
• Issue 43 – May 2, 2019
• 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 63 – September 25, 2019

• Learn More About Smarter Balanced Assessments with the Smarter Content Explorer!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 62 – September 18, 2019

• Survey for LEA Coordinators!
• Assessment Information Meeting Materials Now Posted
• CAASPP and ELPAC Results and Permanent Student Records
• Check Them Out! Interim Assessment Resources for Educators
• Remedies for Missing Addresses on Initial ELPAC SSRs

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 61 – September 11, 2019

• Single Sign-on for CAASPP and ELPAC Online Components!
• Coming on September 17: Webinar for New LEA Coordinators
• Updated Science Test Administration for High School Students Flyer
• 2019–20 CAA Test Examiner Tutorial—Now Available for CAA for Science
• New CAA for Science Practice Tests Posted!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 60 – September 4, 2019

• This Month’s Featured Digital Library Resource: “Find My Equation”

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 59 – August 28, 2019

• 2019–20 LEA CAASPP Coordinator Checklist!
• New CDE Alternate ELPAC Web Page
• Posted: 2019–20 ELPAC Information Guide
• ELPAC Test Security Affidavit for Non-TOMS Users Now Available

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 58 – August 21, 2019

• New Video! Science: It’s Elementary
• Downtime Starts Next Week for CAASPP and ELPAC Online System Components
• CAA Guidance on Assessing Students Using Eye Gaze—Just Updated!
• Alternate Assessments

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 57 – August 14, 2019

• New School Year, New Planning to Do: Interim Assessment Overview and Blueprints
• Reminder: Complete All Hand Scoring for Interim Assessments Before System Downtime
• Accessibility
• ELPAC––Last Chance to Participate in Field Test!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 56 – August 7, 2019

• Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Online System Components
• NEW! Interim Assessment Reporting System Sandbox Training Tool
• August’s Featured Digital Library Resource: “Get in Order! Using Transition Words in Narrative Writing”
• 2018–19 Science Assessment Scores: When Will They Be Released?
• Training Opportunity for New LEA Coordinators

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 55 – July 31, 2019

• Accessing Individual Student Score Reports in TOMS
• California Alternate Assessment for Science Preliminary Indicator Communication Toolkit Web Page—Just Updated!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 54 – July 17, 2019

• Needed: California Special Education Teachers with CA NGSS Knowledge for Alignment Process
• Preparing for the 2019–20 CAA for Science—Version Assignments and Administration Planning Guides Posted!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 53 – July 10, 2019

• New Coordinator Webinar on July 16
• New Coordinator Training Continuing at Assessment Information Meeting
• August Standard Setting for the CSA: Sign Up by July 19
• Updated Digital Library Connections Playlists: Time-Saving Tools for Teachers
• Just Posted: California Science Test Item Specifications!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 52 – July 3, 2019

• July’s Featured Digital Library Resource: “An Interview with Margaret Heritage, Formative Assessment Guru”
• More Summertime Formative Assessment Training
• Grade Two Diagnostic Testing—Change in Reporting

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 51 – June 26, 2019

• CAASPP Post-Test Guide Available on CAASPP Portal
•  “The Results Are In … Now What?” Webcast Now Available!
• Attention New LEA Coordinators: Register Now for In-Person Training
• Initial ELPAC Testing Window Closes June 28
• Smarter Balanced Members Vote to Approve Updates to UAAG

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 50 – June 19, 2019

• MyTOMS Is Coming!
• Calendar Reminder: ELPAC System Downtime Fast Approaching
• SBE June Memorandum Regarding the ELPAC Posted for Public Viewing
• CAA for Science Preliminary Indicators and Scale Scores—What Is the Difference?

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 49 – June 12, 2019

• Welcome, New CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators
• Registration Still open for the 2019 Summer Institute!
• Webinar in July for New LEA Coordinators
• 2019 North-South Meetings: Registration Now Open
• Reminders for the California Alternate Assessment for Science!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 48 – June 5, 2019

• June’s Featured Digital Library Resource: “Breaking Spaghetti”
• Closing Out This Year’s Summative ELPAC
• Field-Testing the New Computer-Based ELPAC
• California Spanish Assessment

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 47 – May 29, 2019

• ELPAC Administrations Winding Down

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 46 – May 22, 2019

• CAST Braille Scoring Guides are Now Available!
• Does My High School Student Need to Take the California Alternate Assessment for Science?
• Summative ELPAC Materials Return

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 45 – May 15, 2019

• Using the LEA Dashboard to Monitor Test Administration Windows and Scoring Percentages
• Year-End Reminders for the ELPAC
• All About Accessibility

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 44 – May 8, 2019

• Focus on Test Security—Invalidation Appeal FAQs
• Spotlight on Accessibility

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 43 – May 2, 2019

• New for Families: Starting Smarter Websites
• Coming Soon! Focused Interim Assessment Blocks
• May’s Featured Digital Library Resource: “Cranky Counterclaims”
• California Science Test—Key Messages Now Available!
• New CAST Item Specifications Flyer
• Keeping ELPAC Test Materials Safe and Secure
• All About Accessibility

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

• 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”