Assessment Spotlight, Issue 370

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 2026–27 ELPAC Information Guide

The 2026–27 ELPAC Information Guide has been posted. This guide provides educators and families with information about the ELPAC, including the processes for initial identification, classification, and reclassification of English learner students.

This year’s updates include:

• Minor date and abbreviation updates throughout the guide
• Updated estimated testing times for Initial and Summative ELPAC
• Clarification on changing the Home Language Survey before testing and correcting the English Language Acquisition Status after testing for initial identification
• New guiding questions to support accessibility resource considerations by domain in a new sub-section called Considerations for Individual Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan Team Discussion
• A revised ELPAC Domain Exemption Decision-Making Tool (PDF) with justifications and rationales for each exemption
• A new section to support students who have Speech and Language Sound Considerations in the Assessing Students with Disabilities for English language proficiency chapter
• A new section on when summative results may be used for reclassification ; however, this added information will not address any changes proposed by Assembly Bill 2555. There will be more updates as information on this bill becomes available
• Added information to the Summative Alternate ELPAC Participation sub-section regarding when the lowest obtainable scale score is applied to results to be consistent with the Summative ELPAC Participation sub-section
• Clarification on the timeframe for releasing ELPAC results to parents/guardians, including whether results should be kept electronically or printed for a student's cumulative folder in the Reporting and Using Individual Results chapter, under Timeframe for Reporting Summative Results to Families sub-section
• New definitions in the Appendices

Window Opening for the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC

The Initial ELPAC and the Initial Alternate ELPAC are required state assessments for English language proficiency (ELP) and are administered to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal laws require local educational agency staff to administer the Initial ELPAC and the Initial Alternate ELPAC 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. The state testing window for the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC will open on July 7, 2026, and go through June 30, 2027.

As a reminder, newly enrolled students may be assessed up to 60 days before their first day of enrollment, but not before July 1. Refer to California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Flash #279 for more information on testing students during the summer using the pre-enrollment process.

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.