Assessment Spotlight, Issue 354

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 .

Authentic Tasks for Learning and Assessment in Science Bank Professional Learning Webinar

Educators are invited to attend the Authentic Tasks for Learning and Assessment in Science (ATLAS) Webinar on March 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview of the ATLAS platform, highlight the benefits of using the classroom tasks, and demonstrate how educators can identify tasks that best meet their students’ needs. You can register for the webinar directly by following this registration link . Registration details and additional information about the webinar are also on the Upcoming and On-Demand Trainings web page .

The ATLAS bank is a user-friendly, online resource offering over 1,300 science lessons for grades K–12 that are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Each task is designed to support authentic science inquiry and performance assessment. California educators can access the ATLAS task bank and register for a free account by visiting the ATLAS website .

Increased Security Incidents Involving Student Cell Phones/Electronic Devices and Use of Artificial Intelligence

This year, there has been an unusually high number of incidents reported in the Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System (STAIRS), including students caught using cell phones or other electronic devices and Artificial Intelligence (AI) during testing. These situations may result in a breach if test content is exposed online, for example, through social media, by saving content to a server or cloud service, or inputting items or test content into an AI search chatbot.

Local educational agency (LEA) CAASPP or ELPAC coordinators should have a protocol in place for managing student electronic devices prior to testing to ensure a secure testing environment. Additionally, test administrators and test examiners should be reminded to actively monitor students during testing.

STAIRS cases must be filed within 24 hours of an incident. Coordinators should include an accurate and specific description of the STAIRS case in the notes section. The description should indicate whether any photos or screenshots were taken during testing and if they were removed from both the device and any social media platform. If test content was exposed, the description should also include the specific item numbers that were compromised.

For more details, refer to the Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide and visit the Test Security web page .

Take a Test Drive Before Test Day! Explore Using the Interim Assessment Viewing System

Teachers—Do you wish you could peek inside an interim assessment before deciding when or how to use it? Good news: the Interim Assessment Viewing System (login required) is your all-access pass to explore interim assessments with confidence and purpose. Designed with educators in mind, this tool can help educators become familiar with interim assessments before selecting one for administration.

With the Interim Assessment Viewing System, you can:

• review interim assessment content just as students see it
• display interim assessment items during class
• move through items with students and explore embedded accessibility resources
• provide a low-stakes way to build familiarity and support instruction

CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments are available year-round for grades three through high school and can be administered to any student in kindergarten through high school. Access to the interim assessments through the Interim Assessment Viewing System and through the Test Delivery System is available to LEA staff using Test Operations Management System (TOMS) login credentials. Whether you’re planning ahead, teaching in the moment, or helping students feel more comfortable with assessments, the Interim Assessment Viewing System puts the power of previewing and planning right at your fingertips.

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.