Assessment Spotlight, Issue 347

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 .

ELPAC Reminder – Pause and Replay

As a reminder, the “pause and replay” feature in the ELPAC is an embedded designated support for English learner (EL) students to use and not a universal tool. While universal tools are features available to all students, designated supports are only available for use by students for whom the need has been indicated by an educator (or team of educators working with the parent, guardian, or student).

The mass assignment of “pause and replay” on the ELPAC for EL students defeats the purpose of measuring a student’s proficiency in listening/speaking items and may exit these students early from EL programs and services. It is critical that EL students can respond to instructions or information that the teacher has said once without having to repeat it. Some students do have auditory processing needs and should be allowed to listen to passages more than once. “While “pause and replay” is a support that some students use regularly within their daily instruction, it should be assigned based on student need and applied only as a designated support for students taking the ELPAC.

More information on accessibility features available in the ELPAC is provided on the following web pages:

• Types of Resources
• Accessibility Resources
• Accessibility Resources Demonstration Videos

Registration Now Open for CERS Trainings

Registration is now open for the 2026 California Educator Reporting System (CERS) trainings, which are designed for educators as a follow-up to the Introduction to CERS trainings.

Register now for 2025–26 CERS—Beyond the Basics online training series featuring the following three modules:

• Module One—Rostering and Reports for Coordinators and Administrators (February 2026)
• Module Two—Custom Groups and Individual Student Reports (February 2026)
• Module Three—Writing Extended Response Scores and Related Resources (March 2026)

2025–26 Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS

In May 2026, two modules will be offered for all CERS users who want information about accessing 2025–26 summative assessment results in CERS and features available for specific assessments.

Register now for 2025–26 Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS .

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.