Assessment Spotlight, Issue 373

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 .

Attend the Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting Series

Registration is now open for the 2026 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting (AAIM) series , hosted by the California Department of Education (CDE). This virtual meeting series will provide coordinators with the latest information and updates on California's assessment and accountability systems.

Two virtual sessions will be held on the following dates and times:

• August 13, 2026, 2−4:30 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, 2−4 p.m.—California School Dashboard and Accountability Updates

If you are unable to attend but would like to receive materials, or a notice when the recording is posted, complete the 2026 AAIM Materials and Recordings form . You can send us questions in advance by submitting them to the 2026 AAIM Q&A form .

Secure Your Spot for the New Coordinator Convenings

Are you a new local educational agency (LEA) CAASPP or ELPAC Coordinator with fewer than three years in the role? Join the CDE for an in-person New Coordinator Convening to build the knowledge, strengthen your network, and prepare you for the year ahead.

Connect with coordinators from across California, explore the Test Operations Management System and the California Educator Reporting System (CERS), and gain real-world insights from experienced peers and ETS Success Agents.

Secure your spot today for the New Coordinator Convening . 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.

Back to School Site Administrator Assessment Convenings

Site administrators are invited to join colleagues from across California for the CDE-hosted Site Administrator Assessment Convenings on August 19 and 25, 2026. These one-hour virtual convenings will be presented by the CDE and will highlight key back to school information for site administrators, including:

• CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments available for 2026–27
• CDE-sponsored trainings for administrators and teachers focused on interim assessments, formative assessment practices, and accessing results from state assessments
• Key resources that can help strengthen instruction and student learning

The same content will be presented at both convenings, allowing site administrators to select the date that works best for them. Register for the Back to School Site Administrator Assessment Convenings today .

Questions about the Site Administrator Assessment Convenings should be directed to the Sacramento County Office of Education at caaspp@scoe.net.

Systems Update for 2026–27 Interim Assessments

From Friday, July 31, at 5 p.m. to Tuesday, August 4, at 8 a.m., CAASPP and ELPAC systems will be updated to prepare for the 2026–2027 interim assessments. While CAASPP and ELPAC systems will be available during this time, CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments will be unavailable for administration, local scoring, and viewing in the following systems:

• Data Entry Interface
• Interim Assessment Viewing System
• Teacher Hand Scoring System (THSS)
• Test Delivery System

The interim assessments, along with other CAASPP and ELPAC components, will become available for the 2026–27 test administration when system updates are completed, at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Deadline for 2025–26 Interim Assessment Hand Scoring

Student responses for the interim assessments will no longer be available for hand scoring and will be cleared from the THSS after 5 p.m. on July 31. To ensure that student results from all completed 2025–26 interim assessments appear in the CERS, all outstanding hand scoring must be completed before the system downtime begins.
If the LEA does not intend for scores from certain administrations of interim assessments to be sent to CERS, then no action is needed. Student responses will be cleared from the THSS as scheduled.
Hand scoring for the interim assessments is a local responsibility. Please note that, for the Smarter Balanced Interim Comprehensive Assessments (ICAs), hand scoring for both parts of the ICA—the computer-based assessment and the performance task—must be completed and submitted to generate results in CERS.

Join the High School Equivalency and Proficiency Convenings!

The CDE invites chief examiners, test site administrators, school counselors, and others with a connection to high school equivalency and proficiency programs to register for the in-person 2026 High School Equivalency and Proficiency Convenings . These convenings are designed to provide timely updates and to collect valuable feedback regarding the GED® and HiSET® exams. This year you will have an opportunity to earn 0.5 professional development units (7.5 hours) by attending the High School Equivalency and Proficiency Convenings.

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.