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SDLA Compliance Resource

Contain and Report a CAASPP Testing Incident Through STAIRS

A rapid incident workflow that protects pupils and secure content, preserves facts, reports within the required period, and implements only the authorized appeal or disposition.

  • CAASPP
  • Assessment
Date(s)Report through STAIRS within 24 hours of the incident or discovery, following the current manual
Applies toLEAs and sites experiencing a test security incident or administration issue that interferes with assessment completion or validity

In Plain Language: Stop the immediate problem, secure materials and sessions, notify the coordinator, document facts without circulating secure content, submit STAIRS promptly, and follow the resulting appeal/disposition.

Why this matters

Delay can prevent correction, expose content, or leave a pupil in the wrong test state. Improvised resets, retests, or invalidations can compound the incident.

Primary ownership

Primary owner: LEA CAASPP coordinator; site coordinator reports immediately. Partners: test administrator/examiner, technology, principal, privacy/security, CALPADS/special education when relevant, and contractor support.

Operational workflow

  1. 1. Protect the student and stop/secure the affected session or materials.
  2. 2. Notify the site and LEA coordinators immediately.
  3. 3. Record who, what, when, where, test/session, devices, exposure, and actions—without reproducing secure content.
  4. 4. Submit STAIRS within 24 hours and file the prompted appeal when applicable.
  5. 5. Track the case, implement only the authorized disposition, and document prevention follow-up.

Implementation pathway

Contain
Notify
Document safely
STAIRS ≤24h
Appeal/disposition
Prevent recurrence

Evidence to retain

  • Incident chronology
  • Staff notifications/statements
  • STAIRS case number
  • Appeal/official decision
  • Implementation and corrective action

Official guidance and help

Source review completed August 30, 2026. Verify current California requirements, CAASPP and ELPAC manuals, live system status, local policy, pupil records, and final system state before acting.