Assessment Spotlight, Issue 327

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 and ELPAC website .

Updated 2025–26 ELPAC Information Guide

We are happy to announce that the 2025–26 ELPAC Information Guide has been updated and will be posted next week on July 1, 2025. As a reminder, this guide provides local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, educators, and families with information on the ELPAC, including the processes for initial identification, classification, and reclassification of English learner students. Additionally, the guide helps teachers understand and use their students’ ELPAC results and effectively communicate these results to parents/guardians.

The updates made this year include:

• Minor revisions to dates throughout the guide
• Updated estimated testing times for the Initial ELPAC
• A new chapter titled Accessibility Resources was added
  • The California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix was moved under this new chapter as it is applicable to all students, not just students with disabilities
• For better visibility, the in-chapter menu topics of Domain Exceptions and Selective Mutism were moved to the main chapter menu of the Assessing Students with Disabilities for English Language Proficiency (ELP) chapter
• Updated guidance on the exclusion of transitional kindergarten
• Inclusion of Census Information Day testing requirements for unduplicated pupil counts
• Updated appendices with additional resources and reordered as applicable

Window Opening for the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC

The Initial ELPAC and the Initial Alternate ELPAC are the required state tests for ELP that are administered to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal laws require LEAs to administer an ELP state test to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, as determined by their individualized education program team, will take the Initial Alternate ELPAC.

The purpose of both assessments is to determine the English proficiency of students entering California schools for the first time. Identifying students who need support in learning English is important so that students get the support they need to do well in school while receiving instruction in all school subjects. The state testing window for the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC will open on July 7, 2025, and goes through June 30, 2026.

Reminder—2025 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series July Sessions

Space is still available for the 2025 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series, starting July 8, 2025! These free sessions are a great way to prepare for the 2025–26 school year. The sessions are organized as follows:

• Webinar 1—A deep dive into formative assessment practices and resources, including an exploration of the Tools for Teachers website
• Webinar 2—Explore how to use CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments and online systems to support teaching and learning
• Webinar 3—A new addition this year, an Educator Panel and LEA Shared Practices

In addition, five interactive workshops will be offered, during which participants receive detailed instruction and time to practice hand scoring applicable interim assessment items with resources to support teaching and learning. They are organized as follows:

• Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—English Language Arts/Literacy
• Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—Mathematics
• California Science Test Interim Assessment Hand Scoring
• ELPAC Speaking Interim Assessment Hand Scoring
• ELPAC Writing Interim Assessment Hand Scoring

Further information, including training dates, times, and registration details, is available on the 2025 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series Registration web page. Additional sessions for all modules will be offered in late summer.

Due to the July 4th holiday next week, the next issue of the Assessment Spotlight will be published on Friday, July 11th.

To receive future CAASPP and ELPAC updates and notifications, subscribe to the CAASPP mailing list by sending a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov .Are you a new subscriber? For previous Assessment Spotlight issues, visit the California Department of Education Assessment Spotlight web page.