Assessment Spotlight, Issue 260

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 .

New Coordinator Training Webinar #4 – Test Security

Calling all local educational agency (LEA) CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators who are new to their role or want a refresher!

The fourth New Coordinator Webinar of the 2023–24 series will take place on February 22, 2024, from 3–4 p.m. This webinar takes a deep dive into test security and the Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System (STAIRS).

Register for the webinar to take a deep dive into test security and STAIRS.

Please note that no new information or updates about systems for the current year will be provided in New Coordinator Trainings. Due to a reorganization with the New CAASPP Coordinator Training and ETS Pretest Training Series, there has been a consolidation of learning materials to support new coordinators with timely and appropriate resources. This session will include content from the Monitoring Testing pretest session.

Resource Reminder: Two New Science Flyers

This week, we bring you a reminder of two science flyers available to assist educators and coordinators with the administration of the California Science Test and the California Alternate Assessments (CAA) for Science.

The Organization of the California Science Test (PDF) flyer offers the following information:

• Segment Overview: Graphic display breaking down the six segments and student survey questions.
• Item Breakdown: Lists the number of items in each segment.
• Test Administration Tips: Provides recommendations for test administration, like when to pause the assessment if splitting it into several test sessions.

The California Alternate Assessment for Science (PDF) flyer offers the following information:

• Test Alignment: Understand how the CAA for Science matches the Science Core Content Connectors.
• Performance Task (PT) Outline: Includes a visual guide to help test examiners better understand the structure of PTs.
• Embedded PTs: Learn about the four key tasks in the test and the number of questions each contains.

For a better understanding of how these tests are organized and further assistance in preparing for the administration of these tests, access these resources and others like them on the CAASPP website .

Seeking Urgently Educators to Support the Development of the California Spanish Assessment

Applications are still open to participate in the continued development of the California Spanish Assessment (CSA). If you are bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English and have at least two years experience teaching Spanish, consider joining one of these opportunities to have powerful input on the development and administration of the CSA.

Exciting opportunities to choose from include:

• Item Review Meeting: March 5–March 26, 2024
  • Review items for issues related to content, bias, and sensitivity
  • One full day, two afterschool meetings and independent work time in between
• Speaking Range Finding:
  • Score speaking student samples and identify benchmark responses
    • There are two tracks to choose from:
      • Track 1 afterschool on Thursdays, March 7–April 25, 2024
      • Track 2 afterschool on Tuesdays, March 12–April 30, 2024
• Writing Range Finding: April 24–June 5, 2024
  • Score student writing samples and identify benchmark responses
  • Five weekly afterschool meetings and independent work time

Find information about CSA opportunities for educators on the CAASPP Opportunities to Get Involved web page .

Substitute teacher expenses will be reimbursed, and stipends may be available. To apply, complete the Educator Opportunities Portal Account Creation Form or contact the CAASPP Project Team at 916-228-2682 or edopportunities@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 California Department of Education Assessment Spotlight web page.