Assessment Spotlight, Issue 292

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 and ELPAC website .

Training Courses for the California Alternate Assessments Now Available

The following 2024–25 California Alternate Assessment (CAA) Test Examiner Tutorial courses are now available:

• General Requirements Section
• CAA for Science Section
• CAAs for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Section

With the CAA for Science testing window opening on September 17, 2024, test examiners may begin completing their required training on the Moodle Training Site . The tutorial covers general information and highlights best practices for the administration of the CAAs. The CAA Test Examiner Tutorial does not contain any secure content. These tutorials take approximately one and a half hours and must be completed prior to administering any CAA for Science embedded performance task. To receive a Certificate of Completion in Science, test examiners must complete the General and CAA for Science sections.

The testing window for the CAAs for ELA and mathematics will open in January 2025; however, the Test Examiner Tutorial section for the CAAs for ELA and mathematics may be completed now on the Moodle Training Site . To receive a Certificate of Completion in ELA and mathematics, test examiners must complete the General and CAA for ELA and mathematics sections.

Login to the Moodle Training Site and use your assigned enrollment key to access the tutorial. Contact your local educational agency (LEA) CAASPP coordinator if you have not yet received your enrollment key. The primary and secondary LEA CAASPP coordinators were emailed the Moodle enrollment key. If LEA CAASPP Coordinators need assistance locating your Moodle enrollment key, questions may be directed to Moodle Support at moodlesupport@scoe.net.

Apply for English Language Arts/Literacy Item Review #2

Smarter Balanced is recruiting educators to participate in the English Language Arts/Literacy Item Review! This virtual event will be held November 12–14, 2024. Educators will complete a virtual synchronous review of pre-field test items (test questions), considering content, fairness, and accessibility criteria. Smarter Balanced item quality criteria will be provided to item reviewers at the beginning of the meetings. If you or educators at your site or LEA are interested in participating in this meeting or other events, apply at the Smarter Balanced Educator Recruitment web page .

California Proficiency Program

The California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) has been replaced by the new California Proficiency Program (CPP). The California Department of Education (CDE) transitioned vendors in the summer of 2023 from the Sacramento County Office of Education to partnering with the High School Equivalency Exam (HSE) vendor HiSET, to administer the new CPP.

As the CPP undergoes this transition, the old CHSPE.org domain will no longer be valid after November 18, 2024. The CHSPE.org domain currently redirects to the CDE CPP web page.

For more information on the new CPP, visit the CDE CPP web page. To register to take the new CPP, visit the HiSET CPP web page . Questions? Contact the CPP office at CPP@cde.ca.gov.

Systems Downtime Reminder

The Test Operations Management System will be unavailable beginning today, Friday, September 13, at 5 p.m. through Saturday, September 14, at 5 p.m., for a scheduled downtime. Visit the 2024–25 CAASPP-ELPAC Planned System Downtime web page for more information.

September’s Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers—Shaping Solutions for Erosion Control

Teachers—Are you looking for an engaging Earth and Space Sciences lesson about erosion for your elementary students? This month’s Grade 2 science instructional resource, Shaping Solutions for Erosion Control (account required), can make learning about the environment feel like a day at the beach! This resource provides a step-by-step guide for teachers to lead hands-on activities and discussions on environmental issues. It supports critical thinking as students learn about erosion and design ways to reduce its impact.

With easy-to-follow directions and formative assessment strategies like Notice/Wonder and Think-Pair-Share, students use shoreline pictures, water energy demonstrations, and collaborative problem-solving to explore erosion and brainstorm solutions.

The resource turns learning into a teamwork adventure, encouraging collaboration and deeper analysis. Activities blend science, engineering, and environmental studies, offering students a well-rounded understanding of the world. By exploring erosion and evaluating real-world solutions, students will gain a deeper appreciation for environmental conservation.

To view this and other instructional resources, LEA staff need a Tools for Teachers account which can be obtained either through self-registration, described in the flyer How to Self-Register for Tools for Teachers, or through their LEA CAASPP or ELPAC coordinator.

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 CDE Assessment Spotlight web page.