English Language Proficiency Assessments for CA - CalEdFacts
This content is part of California Department of Education's information and media guide about education in the State of California. For similar information on other topics, visit the full CalEdFacts.The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) was established in 2018. The Summative ELPAC became operational on February 1, 2018. The Initial ELPAC became operational on July 1, 2018. The Summative Alternate ELPAC became operational on February 1, 2022. The Initial Alternate ELPAC became operational July 1, 2022. The California Department of Education (CDE) transitioned from the California English Language Development Test to the ELPAC as the state English Language Proficiency assessment in 2018.
The ELPAC System encompasses the following assessments and student participation requirements. Information about the content and format of each test is also provided.
Initial ELPAC for newly enrolled students whose primary language is not English, as an initial assessment, in kindergarten through grade twelve.
Student Participation: ELPAC regulations require Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to administer the Initial ELPAC to all eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve whose primary language is a language other than English, to determine whether they are English learners (ELs), within 30 calendar days after they are first enrolled in a California public school or 60 calendar days prior to instruction, but not before July 1. All students who are ELs who have not been reclassified as fluent English proficient (RFEP) are required to participate with the following exceptions:
- Students who participate in the alternate assessments.
Content and Format: The Initial ELPAC assesses public school students in K–12 in the following four domains in English:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
The Initial ELPAC is aligned with the English language development standards adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE). The task types included in the ELPAC are detailed in the ELPAC Domain Information Sheets web page.
Summative ELPAC for students who are ELs who have not been reclassified as RFEP, in kindergarten through grade twelve.
Student Participation: ELPAC regulations require LEAs to administer the Summative ELPAC to all eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve annually to students identified as ELs until they are RFEP, with the following exceptions:
- Students who participate in the alternate assessments.
Content and Format: The Summative ELPAC assesses public school students in K–12 in the following four domains in English:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
The Summative ELPAC is aligned with the English language development standards adopted by the SBE. The task types included in the ELPAC are detailed in the ELPAC Domain Information Sheets web page.
Initial Alternate ELPAC for newly enrolled students whose primary language is not English, with the most significant cognitive disabilities, as an initial assessment, in kindergarten through grade twelve (including students through 21 years of age).
Student Participation: ELPAC regulations require LEAs to administer the Initial Alternate ELPAC to all eligible newly enrolled students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to take the Initial ELPAC even with accessibility supports and whose individualized education program (IEP) indicates assessment with an alternate test, who are in kindergarten through grade twelve, including students through twenty-one years of age.
Content and Format: The Initial Alternate ELPAC assesses the four domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. However, it does so in an integrated manner; that is, a single task type assesses multiple domains.
The Initial Alternate ELPAC is aligned with the English language development standards adopted by the SBE. The task types included in the ELPAC are detailed in the Alternate ELPAC Task Type Information Sheet (PDF).
IEP team guidelines for participation on alternate assessments are available on the CDE Alternate Assessment IEP Team Guidance web page.
Summative Alternate ELPAC for newly enrolled students whose primary language is not English, with the most significant cognitive disabilities, as an annual assessment, in kindergarten through grade twelve (including students through 21 years of age) reclassification as RFEP.
Student Participation: ELPAC regulations require LEAs to administer the Summative Alternate ELPAC to all eligible students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to take the Summative ELPAC even with accessibility supports and whose IEP indicates assessment with an alternate test, who are in kindergarten through grade twelve, including students through twenty-one years of age, annually to students identified as ELs until they are RFEP.
Content and Format: The Summative Alternate ELPAC assesses the four domains of Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. However, it does so in an integrated manner; that is, a single task type assesses multiple domains.
The Summative Alternate ELPAC is aligned with the English language development standards adopted by the SBE. The task types included in the ELPAC are detailed in the Alternate ELPAC Task Type Information Sheet (PDF).
IEP team guidelines for participation on alternate assessments are available on the CDE Alternate Assessment IEP Team Guidance web page.
For more information regarding the ELPAC, contact the ELPAC Office by phone at 916-319-0784 or by email at elpac@cde.ca.gov. Information is also available on the CDE ELPAC web page.