Assessment Spotlight, Issue 178

Focusing on the CAASPP System and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)—and including, when timely, updates on California’s other statewide assessments. For questions related to test administration,  coordination, and trainings, visit the CAASPP website and the ELPAC website .

New Coordinator Training: Preparing to Receive Summative Scores

The fifth webinar in the 2021–22 New Coordinator Webinar series is coming up! Join us on April 21 at 3 p.m. for “Preparing for Scores” to learn all about the preparations necessary to receive assessment scores. This one-hour training will include the following:

• A review of upcoming tasks on the coordinator checklist
• The details of preparing for summative assessment results
• A question and answer session with experienced coordinators

Local educational agency (LEA) CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators who are new to their role or want a refresher will benefit from this information-filled, well-timed webinar. Don’t miss out—register on the Webinar Registration web page today!

Focus on Test Security: Overview of the STAIRS/Appeals Process

The Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System (STAIRS) is the means for reporting incidents that occur during the administration of the CAASPP or the ELPAC. LEA and site coordinators can access STAIRS through the Test Operations Management System.

If an incident necessitates a change in the status of a test—for example, reopening an expired test, resetting a test, or invalidating a test—STAIRS will prompt the coordinator to file an Appeal. A complete list of Appeal types is provided on the Appeals Definitions web page in the CAASPP and ELPAC Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide .

When an incident involves a breach of test content, the coordinator should submit a case through STAIRS as well as notify the California Technical Assistance Center (CalTAC) by phone at 800-955-2954 if the breach is due to social media exposure on the part of a student or adult or due to media coverage of an administration.

Find more information about the STAIRS/Appeals process on the CAASPP Test Security web page .

Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems

Downtime is coming up next month for various systems. From Friday, April 1, at 5 p.m. to Monday, April 4, at 8 a.m., the following CAASPP and ELPAC systems will be unavailable:

• Completion Status System
• Test Administrator Interface
• Test Operations Management System

The 2021–22 CAASPP Planned System Downtime web pages and 2021–22 ELPAC Planned System Downtime web pages provide a calendar of scheduled downtimes through June 2023 as well as a glossary.

Direct any questions about the scheduled downtime to your LEA’s assigned LEA Success Agent. You can locate your LEA's assigned Success Agent on the LEA Success Agents web page . For other support options, visit the California Outreach web page .

Please share this email with any educators in your LEA who would be interested in or benefit from this information. To join the email list, send a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. Are you a new subscriber? Visit the California Department of Education Assessment Spotlight web page to find previous issues.