Assessment Spotlight, Issue 333

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 .

Educators Needed for Smarter Balanced Item and Passage Reviews

Apply now to participate in the English language arts/literacy (ELA) item review and ELA passage review for the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments! Smarter Balanced is recruiting educators for these virtual events that will be held September 23‒25, 2025.Educators will complete a virtual synchronous review of pre-field test items or passages for ELA considering content, fairness, and accessibility criteria.

If you or educators at your site or local educational agency (LEA) are interested in being considered for this or other upcoming opportunities, including item writing, item review, and other assessment activities, visit the Smarter Balanced Educator Recruitment web page . Your participation will impact millions of students across the country and is an excellent professional learning opportunity.

Fall Registration Now Open: 2025 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series

Register now for the fall sessions of the 2025 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series! Sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE), this free online training series for educators focuses on leveraging the interim and formative components of the CAASPP and ELPAC comprehensive system of assessments to inform teaching and learning. The series begins with three independent webinars:

• The Formative Assessment Process and Tools for Teachers
• CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments
• Educator Panel and Shared Practices

After these webinars, the series continues with five interim assessment hand scoring workshops—one for each of the following content areas:

• ELA
• Mathematics
• California Science Test
• ELPAC Speaking
• ELPAC Writing

More information, including specific session dates and times and a link to register, can be accessed on the Interim and Formative Assessment Series registration page . We hope you can join us!

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.