Assessment Spotlight, Issue 265

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.

Accessibility Resources Updates for 2023–24

The California Accessibility Matrix is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) CA Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix web page. It displays the embedded and non-embedded universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations allowed as part of the CAASPP and the ELPAC. Please see the following enhancements:

• Spell check as an embedded universal tool for the California Spanish Assessment (CSA).
• Allowing the use of non-embedded Bluetooth hearing aids as a designated support.
• Non-embedded oral test directions in English can be printed for Smarter Balanced for English Language Arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics.
• Translated test directions in American Sign Language are now available as designated supports.
• Embedded word prediction as an accommodation for the Smarter Balanced ELA and mathematics tests and the California Science Test (CAST).
• Embedded Spanish stacked-dual language translation as a designated support for Smarter Balanced for mathematics, which is activated using a toggle mode.
• Non-embedded print-on-demand as an accommodation now allows the local educational agency (LEA) or site coordinator to assign this resource in the Test Operations Management System without contacting an LEA Success Agent.

Additionally, the California Student Assessment Accessibility Graphics are posted on the Student Accessibility Resources web page which show the various accessibility resources available for each assessment.

Desmos Calculator for Smarter Balanced for Mathematics

Students taking the Smarter Balanced for Mathematics in grades six through eight and grade eleven can access the embedded Desmos calculators during certain sections of the test. The mathematics tests for these grades are divided into two sections: Calculator Available and Calculator Not Available.

Embedded calculators, based on grade level, are available as universal tools for students—for grade six, a Four-function Calculator ; for grades seven and eight, a Scientific Calculator ; and for grade eleven, a Graphing Calculator on the Calculator Available section of the test.

All three calculators—Four-function, Scientific, and Graphing—are available on the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics web page under Accessibility Resources. They are free for educators and students to use during the school year. Students can also access these features on the Training and Practice Tests . Introducing your students to Desmos now is an opportunity for them to build familiarity with this resource prior to testing!

Registration for New CERS Trainings Start Next Week!

Teachers, administrators, and test coordinators will not want to miss the winter and spring trainings hosted by the CDE. These sessions provide support in using the California Educator Reporting System (CERS). The brand new “CERS—Beyond the Basics” trainings take a deeper dive into key CERS features, and the returning “Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS” trainings provide just-in-time preparation and support for 2023–24 CAASPP and ELPAC assessment results. All training sessions will be conducted virtually, and the earliest training sessions are available next Wednesday!

CERS—Beyond the Basics for Teachers

Educators using CERS can learn more about intermediate and advanced features, including customizing groups, using advanced filters, and reviewing the information available when viewing interim assessment results. The same training will be offered twice:

• February 28, 2024, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
• March 5, 2024, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Register now for CERS—Beyond the Basics for Teachers .

CERS—Beyond the Basics for Coordinators and Administrators

Staff members who manage access, roster students to teachers, or train staff about CERS can learn more about intermediate and advanced system features. This includes making custom reports, completing advanced rostering, and tips for providing local CERS training. The same training will be offered twice:

• March 5, 2024, 9 to 11 a.m.
• March 14, 2024, 1 to 3 p.m.
  

Register now for CERS—Beyond the Basics for Coordinators and Administrators .

Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS

Any CERS users seeking just-in-time preparation and support for assessment results before the 2023–24 school year in CERS are encouraged to register for this training. The topics covered include accessing specific 2023–24 summative assessment results in CERS, viewing and interpreting individual student reports, and understanding features available for specific assessments, e.g., Lexile and Quantile measures.

Two modules will be offered:

• Module One: Focuses on the Summative ELPAC, the Summative Alternate ELPAC, and the CSA, available on May 16, 2024, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
• Module Two: Focuses on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA and mathematics, CAST, and the California Alternate Assessments for ELA and mathematics, and science, available on May 23, 2024, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
  

Register now for Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS .

Please note: These trainings will build upon the summer and fall 2023 Introduction to CERS trainings which provided educators with an overview of CERS. It is highly recommended that participants have a basic understanding of CERS before attending the winter or spring trainings. Recordings for the 2023–24 Introduction to CERS for Teachers (Video; 1:24) and the 2023–24 Introduction to CERS for Test Coordinators and Administrators (Video;1:57) trainings are available for anyone who would like to review them.
If you have any questions about the 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.