Assessment Spotlight, Issue 378

Focusing on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (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 .

California Alternate Assessment for Science Testing Window Opens September 15, 2026

The California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science testing window opens on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Test examiners (TEs) may begin administering the three embedded performance tasks (PTs) at this time. TEs should schedule the three embedded performance tasks throughout the school year, shortly following instruction on the related science content.

Additional reminders and requirements for administration of the CAA for Science:

• Local educational agencies (LEAs) are assigned Form 1 or Form 2 when administering the CAA for Science. LEAs and schools can determine which form they are assigned by visiting the CAA for Science Form Assignments web page .
  
• Educators can utilize the 2026–27 Administration Planning Guides to assist with identifying the content standards in each embedded PT and administration dates for the CAA for Science after LEAs determine their assigned form.
• The 2026–27 CAA Test Examiner Tutorial courses are available on the Moodle Training website . TEs must complete their Moodle training courses before administering the CAA for Science embedded performance tasks.

For more information about the CAA for Science, visit the California Department of Education (CDE) California Alternate Assessment for Science web page.

Please share this email with any educators in your LEA who would be interested in or benefit from this information. To join the email list, send a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. Are you a new subscriber? Visit the CDE Assessment Spotlight web page to find previous issues.