Assessment Spotlight, Issue 293

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, please visit the CAASPP and ELPAC website .

New English Language Proficiency Assessments for California Interim Assessments Available!

A set of 28 new ELPAC Interim Assessments have just been released for the 2024‒25 school year. This new set joins the set released on August 6, 2024, bringing the total number of ELPAC Interim Assessments to 56. In addition to the ELPAC Interim Assessments, there are 128 Smarter Balanced English language arts/literacy interim assessments,100 Smarter Balanced mathematics Interim Assessments, and 18 California Science Test Interim Assessments, available for administration or for educators to preview in the Interim Assessment Viewing System.

The Interim Assessment Lookup Tool allows users to search for available CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments, providing details such as associated content, total number of items, and number of items that require hand scoring, with filters for subject, grade level, and hand scoring requirement.

For resources and more information, visit the CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments web page .

California Alternate Assessment for Science Testing Window Opens

The California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science testing window opened on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Test examiners (TEs)—who have completed their Moodle training courses—may begin administering the four embedded performance tasks in the order that is best for their local scope and sequence. TEs are encouraged to build their curriculum to allow eligible students to take the four embedded performance tasks throughout the school year, following related instruction in each science domain. The Organization of the California Alternate Assessment for Science (PDF) flyer provides information to support TEs in the assessment administration.

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

• TEs must use the script provided in the Directions for Administration manual.
• Each performance task must be administered by a trained TE, who is familiar with the student and their needs, in a one-on-one setting.
• Some items include Part A and Part B and may require scrolling to view all parts of the item.

For more information about the CAA for Science, visit the California Alternate Assessment for Science web page.

National Assessment Governing Board accepting Nominations

The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) oversees and sets policy for the Nation’s Report Card, also called the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAGB is an independent, nonpartisan board created by Congress and charged with determining the subjects and content NAEP assesses, setting achievement levels, and hosting the release of results. NAGB is accepting nominations through November 1, 2024, for positions with terms beginning October 1, 2025. Nominations are sought for the following positions:

• Elementary School Principal
• General Public Representative
• Testing and Measurement Expert

Information on the nominations process and submission requirements, as well as frequently asked questions, can be viewed at National Assessment Governing Board web page .

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. Are you a new subscriber? For previous Assessment Spotlight issues, visit the California Department of Education Assessment Spotlight web page.