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 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 73 – December 11, 2019
- Issue 72 – December 4, 2019
- Issue 71 – November 20, 2019
- Issue 70 – November 13, 2019
- Issue 69 – November 6, 2019
- Issue 68 – October 30, 2019
- Issue 67 – October 23, 2019
- Issue 66 – October 16, 2019
- Issue 65 – October 9, 2019
- Issue 64 – October 2, 2019
- 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 73 – December 11, 2019
- Resources for the 2019–20 CAASPP and ELPAC Now Available
- Opportunity to Participate in CAASPP Case Study!
- California Educator Reporting System: Key Resources
- ELPAC—Remember to Update Students’ English Language Acquisition Status!
- Summative ELPAC Kindergarten Through Grade Two Test Materials Ordering
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 72 – December 4, 2019
- Summative ELPAC Assessment Results in the California Educator Reporting System
- December’s Featured Digital Library Resource for Professional Learning—“Understanding the Formative Assessment Process”
- Check Them Out! New ELPAC Accessibility Resources
- Alternate ELPAC: Looking Ahead
- New CAA for Science Performance Task Video!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 71 – November 20, 2019
- Watch and Learn with the Interim Assessment Video Series!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 70 – November 13, 2019
- Updated California Science Test Practice and Training Tests Now Available!
- 2018–19 ELPAC Results Coming Soon!
- Reminders: 1.0 Percent Justification Survey and IEPs
- Attention New LEA Coordinators!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 69 – November 6, 2019
- Attention All LEAs: 1.0 Percent Justification Survey Deadline Extended!
- November’s Featured Digital Library Resource—“We Have the Same Birthday”
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 68 – October 30, 2019
- Science Assessment Implementation Modules!
- Reminder—Smarter Content Explorer Now Available
- 1.0 Percent Justification Survey Deadline Extended
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 67 – October 23, 2019
- Updated Science Web Pages with Links to New Resources
- New from the Winners of the “Science! It’s Elementary” Contest: Elementary Science Resources
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 66 – October 16, 2019
- Registration Open for 2019–20 Pretest Workshop!
- Newly Updated! Matrix Four: ELPAC Accessibility Resources
- Computer-Based ELPAC Field Test
- ELPAC Question of the Week
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 65 – October 9, 2019
- 2018–19 Results Release
- First Operational CAA for Science: Time to Register All Eligible Students!
- Updated Periodic Table and Reference Sheet for CAST
- High School Science Participation Reports Available in TOMS!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 64 – October 2, 2019
- Registration Closing Soon for 2019 California Assessment Conference!
- October’s Featured Digital library Resource: “Juicy Introductions to Start Your Narrative—Delectable Beginnings to Start Your Story”
- Smarter Balanced Digital Library Connections Playlists for Focused Interim Assessment Blocks
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—“5th 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”