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SDLA Compliance Resource

Complete Summative Alternate ELPAC During the Statewide Window

An IEP-aligned annual assessment process for enrolled English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

  • ELPAC
  • English Learners
Date(s)February 1–May 31, 2027
Applies toEnrolled English learners whose active IEP assigns the Summative Alternate ELPAC

In Plain Language: Verify the IEP assignment and administer the alternate ELP assessment during the annual window with a trained examiner who knows the pupil’s communication and access needs.

Why this matters

Validity depends on both a lawful individualized assignment and an administration that lets the pupil communicate what they know. The alternate assessment is not a blanket disability exemption.

Primary ownership

Primary owner: ELPAC coordinator with special education administrator/case manager. Handoff partners: IEP team, examiner, CALPADS, site, assistive technology/AAC staff, parent, and EL program.

From IEP assignment to a reconciled Summative Alternate ELPAC: the SDLA ITO workflow

Only an active IEP assigns the alternate assessment, and a trained examiner who knows the pupil must administer it. This SDLA ITO (Input, Transformation, Output) graphic shows how the EL roster, active IEP assignments, and the access plan become the roster match, the completion and incident records, and the result handoff.

SDLA ITO: eleven steps from the EL roster, active IEP assignments, and the access plan, through roster matching, readiness checks, scheduling, and administration, to the roster match, the completion and incident records, and the result handoff.
Read down each column, then move to the next: Input identifies what to collect; Transformation covers roster matching, readiness checks, scheduling, and administration; Output covers the roster match, the completion and incident records, and the result handoff. Administer within the February 1–May 31, 2027 window.

Open the full-size workflow graphic

Operational workflow

  1. Reconcile the EL roster with active IEP alternate-assessment assignments.
  2. Confirm trained examiners, pupil-specific access/communication supports, technology, environment, and materials.
  3. Schedule early enough for multiple sessions, absences, transfers, and make-ups.
  4. Monitor completion and incidents; follow official disposition instructions.
  5. Reconcile results, ELAS, IEP/program records, and family communication before closeout.

Implementation pathway

EL + active IEP
Access plan
Trained examiner
Administration
Incident/makeup
Reconcile

Evidence to retain

  • Active IEP assignment
  • Roster and TOMS match
  • Examiner training/access plan
  • Completion and incident records
  • Final reconciliation and result handoff

Official guidance and help

Source review completed August 30, 2026. Verify current federal and California requirements, CDE and ELPAC manuals, local policy, pupil records, and live CALPADS/TOMS status before acting.