Assessment Spotlight, Issue 288

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 .

Register Now: Webinar #5 – Accessibility

Elevate your skills with the New Coordinator Training Webinar! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our upcoming New Coordinator Training Webinar – Accessibility, designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your role. It will take place on September 19, 2024, from 3 to 4 p.m. and will dive into the following topics:

• The “why” of accessibility
• The 1–2–3–4s of accessibility
• The Individual Student Assessment Accessibility Profile process

Share this invitation with colleagues and register for the 2024–25 New Coordinator Training Webinar Series today!

Join us for the Site Administrator Fall Assessment Convenings

Join us for the Site Administrator Fall Assessment Convenings! These convenings provide an opportunity for school site administrators to ask questions and get valuable information from the Assessment Development and Administration Division of the California Department of Education (CDE), as well as network and share best assessment practices with other site administrators throughout California. This session will focus on the CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments and how to successfully implement them at your site.

There will be two opportunities to join in the conversation:

• Wednesday, September 18, 2024, noon–1 p.m.
• Thursday, September 19, 2024, 9–10 a.m.

Register for one of the sessions today!

Educators Needed for Smarter Balanced Item Review ~ Join us today!

Smarter Balanced is recruiting educators to participate in the Math Item Review for the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments! This virtual event, hosted by Smarter Balanced, will be held October 14–18, 2024.

In this Math Item Review meeting, 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 local educational agency are interested in participating in this or other item review events, apply today at the Smarter Balanced Educator Recruitment web page .

Back-to-School Interim and Formative Assessments Training Sessions

The CDE is excited to announce the back-to-school sessions for the 2024 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series! This free online training series for educators focuses on leveraging the interim and formative components of the CAASPP and ELPAC comprehensive system of assessments to inform teaching and learning.

The modules in this series are scheduled as follows:

• Module 1: Boosting Instruction with Formative Assessment and Tools for Teachers
  • A deep dive into formative assessment practices and resources, including an exploration of the Tools for Teachers website
    • Monday, August 26, 2024, 1–3:30 p.m.
• Module 2: Measuring Student Progress with CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments
  • Explore how to use CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments and online systems to support teaching and learning
    • Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 1–3:30 p.m.
• Module 3: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring
  • Detailed instruction and practice in hand scoring Smarter Balanced
    • 3B: Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Hand Scoring—Mathematics
      • Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 1–4 p.m.
    • 3C: California Science Test Interim Assessment Hand Scoring
      • Monday, September 9, 2024, 1–4 p.m.
    • 3D: ELPAC Interim Assessment Hand Scoring
      • Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 1–4:30 p.m.

Register now for the Back-to-School sessions at 2024 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series Registration 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 CDE Assessment Spotlight web page.