Assessment Spotlight, Issue 225

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 .

Focus on Test Security: Overview of the STAIRS/Appeals Process

The Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System (STAIRS) is the means for reporting and resolving testing incidents that occur during the administration of the CAASPP or the ELPAC. Local educational agencies (LEAs) and site coordinators can access STAIRS through the Test Operations Management System. STAIRS functionality is not applicable for the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments.

If an incident necessitates a change in the status of a test—for example, reopening an expired test, resetting a test because a student did not receive a prescribed accommodation, or invalidating a CAASPP test because of student cheating—STAIRS will prompt the coordinator to file an Appeal. A complete list of Appeal types is provided on the Appeals Definitions web page in the CAASPP and ELPAC Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide .

When an incident involves a breach of test content, the coordinator should submit a case through STAIRS as well as immediately notify the California Technical Assistance Center (CalTAC) by phone at 800-955-2954 if the breach is due to social media exposure of test items on the part of a student or an adult.

Find more information about the STAIRS/Appeals process on the CAASPP Test Security web page .

Updates to the 2022–23 ELPAC Information Guide

The Guidelines for Reclassification for Students Who Take the Summative ELPAC and the Guidelines for Reclassification for Students Who Take the Summative Alternate ELPAC sections of the 2022–23 ELPAC Information Guide have been updated to include clarifying language regarding reclassification. This newly updated version is located on the California Department of Education’s (CDE’s) English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) 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.