The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) Update, from the California Department of Education (CDE), is an e-mail for K-12 educators, including testing coordinators, which focuses on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California. When the ELPAC is operational, it will replace the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). The ELPAC Update will be sent once per month beginning March 2017. Please forward this e-mail to any educators in your local educational agency (LEA) who would be interested in or benefit from this information.
ELPAC Regulations Approved!
Have you heard the news? The ELPAC regulations have been approved and will become effective on October 1! These regulations include definitions, requirements, responsibilities, and guidelines for the administration, test security, and reporting of the ELPAC. In addition, they include, but are not limited to:
- Procedures for the administration of two separate assessments
- A change in the annual summative assessment window to a four-month period, beginning February 1 and lasting through May 31
- The use of universal tools, designated supports, and accommodation
The ELPAC draft regulations are located on the CDE ELPAC Regulations Web page. Be on the lookout on the CDE ELPAC Web page after October 1, when the approved regulations will be posted and ready for the first administration of the ELPAC in spring 2018.
New ELPAC Resources Next MonthAre you interested in ELPAC resources for parents and educators? The CDE and Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) are developing an ELPAC flyer for parents, an ELPAC Fact Sheet, and ELPAC Domain Information sheets for educators. These resources are designed to provide the reader with valuable information about the ELPAC. Be on the lookout in August, when these resources will be posted on the ELPAC.org Web site.
ELPAC Initial Assessment Field Test (FT): Coming Soon!With the ELPAC Summative Assessment having ended last April, we are now gearing up for this fall's ELPAC Initial Assessment (IA) FT. The CDE and its testing contractor, Educational Testing Service (ETS), are looking for LEAs interested in having several of their schools participate in the IA FT, which is scheduled for Monday, August 28, through Friday, September 22.
Is your LEA interested in participating in this important work? If so, please contact Jackie Adams at SCOE by phone at 916-228-2207 by Monday, July 17. Interested LEAs will be required to send Test Examiners to a one-day training in August. The training schedule is as follows:
| Description | Date | Time | Location |
| In-person IA FT training | August 16 | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Sacramento—SCOE, New Conference Center |
| In-person IA FT training | August 17 | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Bay Area—East Side Union High School District, Independence High School |
| In-person IA FT training | August 18 | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Clovis—Veterans Memorial Building |
| In-person IA FT training | August 23 | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Costa Mesa—Orange County Department of Education |
| In-person IA FT training | August 24 | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | San Diego—Marina Village Conference Center |
- Feedback on the ELPAC Student Score Report
The CDE and ETS are in the process of developing the ELPAC Student Score Report. In order to develop a student score report, one that effectively communicates a student's progress toward English language proficiency, educators and parents/guardians will be invited to provide their input on the format and content of the score report. Stay tuned for more information, coming soon—in the July issue of the ELPAC Update.
Due August 1: Superintendent's Designation of LEA ELPAC Coordinator Form
Reminder: The online Superintendent's Designation of an LEA ELPAC Coordinator Form for the coming school year is due by August 1. This form was e-mailed to superintendents on March 1. After ETS has received the designation form, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the newly designated LEA ELPAC Coordinator. The confirmation e-mail will prompt the new coordinator to fill out and submit the Test Security Agreement for LEA ELPAC Coordinators and ELPAC Site Coordinators Form, which will grant the coordinator access to the Test Operations Management System (TOMS). TOMS is the online system that coordinators will use to manage all aspects of ELPAC testing, including the assignment of user roles.
After August 1, important communications from ETS will be sent directly to LEA ELPAC Coordinators. Take care of this detail now, and then rest assured that the appropriate staff in your LEA will receive important ELPAC-related communications from ETS without delay!
To subscribe to the ELPAC Listserv, please send a blank e-mail to