Assessment Spotlight, Issue 249

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 .

California Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix for 2023–24

The California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix (PDF) for the 2023–24 school year has been updated and is now available on the California of Education (CDE) CA Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix web page. The updated document displays the embedded and non-embedded universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations allowed as part of the CAASPP and the ELPAC systems. Updates to the 2023–24 Accessibility Matrix include the following:

• Addition of spell check as an embedded universal tool for the California Spanish Assessment.
• Updated the definition of the non-embedded strikethrough and highlighter universal tool to include test examiner assistance for K–2 students and an update to the definition for embedded strikethrough and the embedded and non-embedded line reader universal tool to include grade two students taking the ELPAC.
• Updated the non-embedded medical supports designated support to include Bluetooth hearing aids.
• Updated the embedded Spanish stacked-dual language translation designated support to be activated using a toggle mode for Smarter Balanced for mathematics.
• Addition of a non-embedded printed copy of the Smarter Balanced for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics oral test direction in English as a designated support that may be provided to a student.
• Addition of non-embedded translated test directions in American Sign Language for the Smarter Balanced ELA and mathematics as a designated support that may be provided to a student.
• Updated the non-embedded print-on-demand accommodation so that it can be assigned by a site or local educational agency (LEA) coordinator without contacting an LEA Success Agent.
• Addition of embedded word prediction as an accommodation for the Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics and the California Science Tests.

New ELPAC Domain Exemption Decision-Making Tool

Introducing the new Domain Exemption Decision-Making Tool (PDF) document for the Initial and Summative ELPAC, which is located on the CDE English Language Proficiency Assessments for California web page. This tool provides valuable support to individualized education program (IEP) and Section 504 plan teams in determining eligibility for a domain exemption.

• Each year, IEP and Section 504 plan teams may use this resource to determine if an English learner (EL) student or a potential EL student has a disability that precludes meaningful participation in one or more of the Initial and Summative ELPAC domains (i.e., Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing).
• For the Initial and Summative ELPAC, a student may only be exempted from one domain per composite, with a maximum of two domain exemptions allowed.
• To receive a score, a student must be assessed in the remaining domain within each composite.

Reminder: Register for the 2023–24 Introduction to CERS Training

Spots are still available for the 2023–24 Introduction to the California Educator Reporting System (CERS) online training. These trainings began in July 2023 and will continue through October 2023, offering two types of training for specific audiences. During these trainings, attendees will have the opportunity to use the CERS Sandbox to learn about various CERS features. The CERS Sandbox is a publicly available training tool that uses fictitious student information and assessment data. Access to the live CERS environment during the training sessions is not required.

Introduction to CERS for Test Coordinators and Administrators

This three-hour online training is designed for staff who have an LEA or site coordinator role in the Test Operations Management System and are responsible for managing access to CERS for other LEA staff members. Go to the Introduction to CERS for Test Coordinators and Administrators registration web page to register.

The following training session dates are available:

• Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 8:30‒11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, October 26, 2023, 1‒4 p.m.

If you are unable to attend and would like to be notified when materials and recordings are available, please complete this Google form .

Introduction to CERS for Teachers

This two-hour online training is designed for LEA staff who have or will have access to CERS assessment results (i.e., teachers who have students rostered in the system and other LEA staff who are interested in using CERS). Go to the Introduction to CERS for Teachers registration web page to register.

The following training session date is available:

• Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 3:30‒5:30 p.m.

If you are unable to attend and would like to be notified when materials and recordings are available, please complete this Google form .

If you have any questions about CERS trainings, please contact Nikki Antonovich, Coordinator, Sacramento County Office of Education by email at caaspp@scoe.net.

To receive future CAASPP updates and notifications, subscribe to the CAASPP mailing list by sending a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. For previous Assessment Spotlight issues, visit the CDE Assessment Spotlight web page.