Assessment Spotlight, Issue 371

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 .

August 2026: Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting

Register today for the 2026 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting (AAIM) , hosted by the California Department of Education (CDE). These virtual meetings will be held on consecutive Thursday afternoons and will provide coordinators with the latest information and updates on California's assessment and accountability systems. The meeting will cover the following topics:

• August 13, 2026, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Accessibility Updates, System Enhancements, Test Delivery System Enhancements, Interim and Formative Assessments, English Language Arts/Mathematics, California Science Test, California Alternate Assessment for Science, Achievement Level Descriptors, California Spanish Assessment, ELPAC, High School Equivalency, and National Assessment of Educational Progress
• August 20, 2026, 2 to 4 p.m.
  • If you are unable to attend but would like to receive materials or be notified when the recording is posted, complete the 2026 AAIM Materials and Recordings form . Submit questions in advance using the 2026 AAIM Q&A form .

Fall Charter School In-Person Convenings

Register now for the 2026 Charter School In-Person Convenings . These events offer targeted learning, peer collaboration, networking, and opportunities to connect with county office of education staff and regional representatives. Designed to complement the quarterly virtual charter school assessment coordinator meetings, the convenings support deeper engagement and collaborative problem-solving.

Convening Dates and Locations

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

Participants will engage in hands-on learning, collaborate with peers, receive support from subject matter experts, and expand their professional network.

Reminder: Register for New Coordinator Convenings!

Step into your coordinator role with confidence and clarity. If you are a new (fewer than three years in the role) local educational agency (LEA) CAASPP or ELPAC Coordinator this high-impact, in-person New Coordinator Convening is your fast track to feeling prepared, connected, and ready for the year ahead.

Join fellow coordinators from across California for a dynamic day of hands-on learning and meaningful connections. Explore the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) and the California Educator Reporting System in action, gain real-world insights from experienced peers and experts, and build your support network with other coordinators new to their role and ETS Success Agents.

Come ready to ask questions, share ideas, and leave energized with the tools and confidence to succeed.

Registration is free and open now !

Choose the location that works best for you:

• Sacramento — Monday, August 31,9 a.m. to 3 p.m
• Contra Costa — Tuesday, September 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Los Angeles — Thursday, September 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• San Diego — Friday, September 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Fresno — Friday, September 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress Long-Term Trend Results

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Long-Term Trend (LTT) assessment measures students’ reading and mathematics skills through a paper-based test. LTT provides a national snapshot of student performance in math and reading.

The test was first administered in 1971 and is meant to track student performance over decades. LTT is typically administered every four years to a sample of age nine and thirteen-year-old students, and it is different from the main NAEP assessments.

Key findings being reported for the 2025 administration of LTT include the following:

• Score gains for nine-year-olds
• No significant changes for thirteen-year-olds
• Little to no significant growth in LTT reading since 1971
• LTT mathematics performance is lower than it was a decade ago

For more information about the 2025 LTT results, visit the NAEP Long-Term Trend Assessment Results webpage on the Nation’s Report Card website .

Listen Up! Identifying Sound Reasoning and Relevant Evidence

Students sharpen their listening and critical thinking skills with Listen Up! Identifying Sound Reasoning and Relevant Evidence (account required) , a grade seven English language arts Tools for Teachers lesson. After listening to an audio presentation, students participate in discussions focused on identifying claims, analyzing evidence, and evaluating reasoning. The lesson helps students understand what makes an argument strong and well supported.

Throughout the lesson activities, teachers use formative assessment strategies like Think-Pair-Share and Strategic Questioning . There are also embedded accessibility strategies such as Audio Transcript , Read Aloud , and Scribe that help to ensure all students can participate meaningfully. At the close of the lesson, an Exit Ticket provides insight to guide instructional next steps.

To view this and other Tools for Teachers resources, LEA staff need a Tools for Teachers account, which is free of charge and can be obtained either through self-registration, described in the flyer How to Self-Register for Tools for Teachers (PDF) or by contacting their testing coordinator or by contacting their testing coordinator.

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.