Assessment Spotlight, Issue 362

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 .

New Reporting Achievement Level Descriptors Toolkit Coming Soon!

This spring, student assessment results using the new reporting Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) for Smarter Balanced English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics assessments as well as the California Science Test (CAST) will be released. Prior to the results release, the California Department of Education (CDE) will provide an ALD Communications Toolkit to help coordinators and educators communicate this change. The toolkit will include the following:

For All Audiences

• California’s New Reporting ALDs Video
• What Do the Scores Mean? – ELA Flyer
• What Do the Scores Mean? – Math Flyer
• What Do the Scores Mean? – Science Flyer

For Students and Families

• New Reporting ALDs Flyer
• Question Guide
• Sample Items by Achievement Level
• Next Steps Flyer

For Educators

• New Reporting ALDs Flyer
• Dialogue Guide (companion to the Question Guide)
• Sample Items by Achievement Level
• Next Steps Flyers

More information and a link to the toolkit will be available soon.

Accessing 2025–26 Summative Assessment Results in the California Educator Reporting System—Training Starts Soon!

Want to learn how to access your summative assessment results in the California Educator Reporting System (CERS)? There is still time to register for Accessing 2025–26 Summative Assessment Results in CERS—a two-part live online training sponsored by the CDE and available to all current and potential CERS users:

• Module One (May 13, 2026, 3:30–4:30 p.m.) will focus on the Summative ELPAC, Summative Alternate ELPAC, and California Spanish Assessment (CSA).
• Module Two (May 20, 2026, 3:30–4:30 p.m.) will focus on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA and mathematics, the California Science Test (CAST), and the California Alternate Assessments.

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

Register Now for the Fall Charter School In-Person Assessment Convenings

The CDE invites charter school assessment coordinators to attend the 2026 Fall Charter School In-Person Assessment Convenings. These events offer targeted learning, collaboration, and networking opportunities tailored to local contexts. Participants will connect with county office of education and regional representatives and learn from peers’ best practices.

Designed to complement the quarterly virtual meetings of the charter school assessment coordinator network, these convenings allow for deeper engagement and collaborative problem-solving.

Convening Dates and Locations

• Sacramento: September 21, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Fresno: September 25, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Los Angeles: September 28, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
  

Each convening includes peer collaboration, hands-on skill-building activities, support from subject matter experts, and opportunities to ask questions, share experiences, and build a professional network. Register Now for Accessing Summative Results to secure your spot and connect with colleagues across the state.

2026 California Assessment Conference Registration and Call for Presenters Are Open

We are excited to announce that registration and call for presenters for the 2026 California Assessment Conference are now open! This year’s conference will focus on Elevating Best Practices, Inspiring Teachers, and Students.

Register now for the 2026 California Assessment Conference to join us in person on October 27–29, 2026 in Riverside, CA. This event offers a valuable opportunity for educators to connect with peers to discover assessment tools and strategies for improved learning and teaching. Interested in presenting your LEA’s practices at the conference? Submit your session proposal today. All session proposals must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on June 19, 2026.

New Coordinator Training Webinar: Prepping Initial ELPAC

Register now for the New Coordinator Training Webinar—Prepping Initial ELPAC on May 21, 2026, from 3–4 p.m. This webinar will focus on:

• Understanding the Initial and Alternate Initial ELPAC process
• Preparing for Initial and Alternate Initial ELPAC testing
• ELPAC requirements for Administration and Scoring Training
• Key ELPAC tasks

This webinar is part of a yearlong series providing just-in-time information for coordinators, along with opportunities to ask questions to experienced coordinators.

Audience: LEA ELPAC coordinators who have been in their role for less than 12 months or want a refresher on coordinator responsibilities.

We hope you can join us!

Educators Needed for ELA and Mathematics Data Review

Smarter Balanced is recruiting educators to apply for the opportunity to participate in the ELA and mathematics data review meetings for the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments. Selected educators will participate in these virtual events on the following dates:

• June 1–2, 2026 (Mathematics)
• June 2–4, 2026 (ELA)

During the data review, educators will participate in a synchronous virtual review of assessment data and student responses, examining how items performed following administration. Reviewers will consider evidence related to item performance, alignment to standards, and fairness and accessibility to help inform decisions about item quality and future use. Smarter Balanced data review criteria and supporting materials will be shared with participants at the start of the meeting.

Educators can apply now to participate. Additional details about these opportunities are available on the Smarter Balanced Educator Recruitment web page .

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.