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SDLA Compliance Resource

Stop, Report, and Resolve an ELPAC Test Started for an Ineligible Student

A rare-incident control: protect the session, report through STAIRS, correct the eligibility source, and follow the official disposition rather than improvising.

  • ELPAC
  • STAIRS
  • Testing Incident
Date(s)Immediately upon discovery; meet the current STAIRS reporting window and instructions
Applies toAn LEA that discovers an ineligible student was registered for, began, or completed an ELPAC assessment

In Plain Language: Stop testing when safe, preserve facts and test security, notify the coordinator, submit the incident in STAIRS, and follow the authorized disposition. Correct the originating CALPADS, enrollment, HLS, ELAS, or IEP record as applicable.

Why this matters

Continuing, deleting, resuming, or retesting without direction can compound the incident and corrupt both assessment and English learner records.

Joint ownership

Owner: LEA ELPAC coordinator. Partners: site coordinator, CALPADS/registrar, EL program, special education, and test administrator.

Operational workflow

  1. 1. Pause the affected session and secure materials/devices.
  2. 2. Record student, test, domain, date/time, session status, staff, and how the ineligibility was discovered.
  3. 3. Report in STAIRS and monitor the case for disposition.
  4. 4. Correct the authoritative eligibility record and verify TOMS/CALPADS alignment after processing.

Rare-event path

STOP
Document facts
STAIRS report
Official disposition
Source-record correction
Reconcile

Evidence to retain

  • Incident facts and staff statements
  • STAIRS case/confirmation
  • Official disposition
  • Source-system correction
  • Final eligibility/test-status reconciliation

Official guidance and help

Source review completed August 30, 2026. Verify current federal and California law, CDE and test-contractor manuals, local board policy, adopted instruments, individual student circumstances, and live system status before acting.