Assessment Spotlight, Issue 232

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 website and the ELPAC website .

August 2023: Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting

Registration is now open for the 2023 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting (AAIM) series, hosted by the California Department of Education (CDE). Each session will provide the latest information and updates on California's assessment and accountability systems.

These virtual sessions will be held on consecutive Thursday afternoons 2–4 p.m. The dates and topics are as follows:

• August 3—General assessment updates, national and international tests, Physical Fitness Test, high school equivalency, English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics summative assessments, California Spanish Assessment
• August 10—Interim and formative assessments, ELPAC, California Science Test (CAST)
• August 17—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 AAIM Materials and Recordings Google Form . You may send questions in advance by submitting them using the AAIM Question and Answer Form .

2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series—Registration Now Open for Summer Sessions!

The CDE is excited to announce registration is now open for the 2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series summer sessions. This series provides direct, online training focused on leveraging the interim and formative components of the CAASPP and ELPAC comprehensive system of assessments to inform teaching and learning.

The 2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series is designed for teachers, instructional coaches, educators on special assignment, local educational agency (LEA) test coordinators and administrators. It is comprised of three distinct, independent modules. Module 1 and Module 2 apply to Smarter Balanced, CAST, and ELPAC assessments collectively, while Module 3 includes separate hand scoring sessions tailored to each program’s interim assessments.

Each module in the series offers multiple opportunities to attend:

• Module 1: Using the Formative Assessment Process and Tools for Teachers Website to Boost Instruction—A deep dive into formative assessment practices and resources, including an exploration of the Tools for Teachers website
  • Monday, July 10, 2023, 1–3:30 p.m.
  • Monday, July 17, 2023, 1–3:30 p.m.
• Module 2: Gauging Student Progress with the CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments—A deep dive into the CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments and associated online systems and how to use these resources to support teaching and learning
  • Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 1–3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 1–3:30 p.m.
• Module 3: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—In-depth instruction and practice in hand scoring interim assessments for Smarter Balanced ELA and Mathematics, CAST, and ELPAC and how to use hand scoring resources to support teaching and learning
  • 3A: Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—English Language Arts/Literacy
    • Monday, July 24, 2023, 9:00 a.m.–noon
    • Monday, August 7, 2023, 9:00 a.m.–noon
  • 3B: Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—Mathematics
    • Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 9:00 a.m.–noon
    • Wednesday, August 9, 2023, 9:00 a.m.–noon
  • 3C: CAST Interim Assessment Hand Scoring
    • Coming this fall
  • 3D: ELPAC Interim Assessment Hand Scoring
    • Coming this fall

Register for the summer sessions by visiting the 2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series Registration web page!

Additional sessions for Module 1 and Module 2 will be offered in fall 2023, as well as CAST and ELPAC Interim Assessment hand scoring sessions (Module 3). Look for more information later this year.

Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC Newly Enrolled Students

With the expiration of the U.S. Code Title 42, enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LEAs have reported an influx of newly enrolled students. There is concern about testing students whose primary language is a language other than English as determined by the home language survey before the end of the ELPAC testing window. Please remember that the Initial ELPAC or Initial Alternate ELPAC must be administered within 30 calendar days after enrollment in a California public school. If the 30 calendar days exceeds the LEA's instructional calendar or May 31, 2023, the LEA may administer the Initial ELPAC when students return to school for the 2023–24 school year, in the next grade level. If the student completes the Initial ELPAC or Initial Alternate ELPAC after May 31, 2023, which is the last day of the summative testing window, then the student will not need to take the Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC in the 2022–23 administration.

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.