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Assessment Solutions

Useful assessment begins with a clear purpose: identify what students know and can do, select an appropriate way to gather evidence, and turn the results into timely action.

California schools work within a broad assessment landscape that includes classroom formative practices, locally selected screeners and benchmarks, CAASPP, ELPAC, alternate assessments, physical fitness testing, and other state or federal programs. Each serves a different purpose; no single result tells the whole story of a student, classroom, school, or district.

Use this section to explore practical references, explainers, tools, current updates, and historical context. The dynamically maintained resource list on this page will grow as new Assessment Solutions articles are published.

RESOURCE INDEX

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Annual Planning & Communication

Organize the annual assessment cycle with planning checklists, timelines, notification templates, and communication resources for schools, staff, students, and families.

ELPAC Assessment Annual Checklist

Checklist
Plan and track annual ELPAC activities with a checklist supporting assessment preparation, administration, and follow-up.
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Annual Assessment Parent Letter

SDLA Resource #1A and 1B - Annual Parent/Guardian Assessment Notification Letter Template

Template
Prepare annual parent/guardian assessment notifications using adaptable letter materials and accompanying implementation guidance.
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Annual Assessment Coordinator Checklist

SDLA Resource #2A - Annual Assessment Coordinator Checklist

Checklist
Plan and manage the annual assessment cycle with a downloadable coordinator checklist covering preparation, administration, communication, and follow-up responsibilities.
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Test Preparation & Administration

Prepare staff, systems, devices, testing environments, materials, and procedures for secure, consistent, and effective assessment administration.
Adding and Managing Users in TOMS

Adding and Managing Users in TOMS

Walkthrough
Follow step-by-step instructions for adding users to the Test Operations Management System (TOMS).
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CAASPP/ELPAC Testing Incidents

CAASPP/ELPAC Testing Incidents

Guide
Identify and respond to CAASPP and ELPAC testing incidents, including documentation, reporting, and follow-up procedures.
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California Physical Fitness Test

California Physical Fitness Test

Guide
Review California Physical Fitness Test information to support preparation and administration.
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Expiration Rules for CAASPP/ELPAC Assessments

Expiration Rules for CAASPP/ELPAC Assessments

Reference
Review CAASPP and ELPAC assessment expiration rules to plan testing sessions and identify when students must complete an assessment.
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Installing the CAASPP and ELPAC Secure Browser on ChromeOS

Installing the CAASPP and ELPAC Secure Browser on ChromeOS

Walkthrough
Follow ChromeOS secure-browser installation instructions to prepare student devices for CAASPP and ELPAC testing.
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What types of paper can be used during CAASPP testing?

What types of paper can be used during CAASPP testing?

Reference
Check which types of paper may be used (and/or required!) during CAASPP testing to prepare appropriate materials for students.
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Student Eligibility & Accessibility

Determine which assessments apply to each student and identify the accessibility resources, supports, accommodations, and exemptions needed for appropriate participation.
Accessibility Resources

Accessibility Resources for CAASPP/ELPAC

Reference
Explore CAASPP and ELPAC accessibility resources to support the selection and use of appropriate testing supports for students.
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Newcomer Student Status

CAASPP Newcomer Exemption from ELA test

Guide
Review eligibility criteria for the CAASPP English language arts newcomer exemption to support student-specific testing decisions.
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What OPTEL is for

Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners (OPTEL)

Guide
Explore OPTEL and its use in documenting observations of English learners’ language use to inform reclassification decisions.
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Assessment Data Analysis Tools

Use practical tools to process assessment files, organize student information, examine responses, and transform complex data into usable results.
CAASPP 2024 Student Data Results

2024 CAASPP ELA Student Results Viewer

Analyzer
Organize and examine CAASPP ELA writing extended responses with an interactive tool designed to support efficient review of student response data.
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WER Score Analysis

2024 CAASPP WER Summary Analyzer

Analyzer
Explore a demonstration tool for extracting and analyzing 2024 CAASPP ELA performance task data.
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ELPAC Scores Viewer

ELPAC 2024 data analyzer

Analyzer
Explore and analyze 2024 ELPAC assessment data using an interactive browser-based tool.
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Analyze, Interpret & Share Results

Review assessment outcomes, interpret scores and growth measures, and communicate results responsibly to educators, leaders, families, governing boards, and communities.
California CAASPP Averages 2023, 2024, 2025

CAASPP State Averages 2023-24-25

Data Resource
Compare CAASPP state averages for 2023, 2024, and 2025 to provide context for reviewing and communicating local assessment results.
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2024/25 RFEP Results

California 2024-25 RFEP Results

Data Resource
Review California’s 2024–25 reclassified fluent English proficient (RFEP) results to support analysis and communication of reclassification outcomes.
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California Growth Model

California Growth Model

Reference
Explore California’s growth model to support understanding, interpretation, and communication of student academic growth.
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CAST Domain Descriptors

CAST Reporting Domain Descriptors

Reference
Use CAST reporting domain descriptors to understand domain-level results and support communication about student science performance.
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Lexile Framework

Lexile Framework for Reading

Reference
Explore the Lexile Framework for Reading to understand reading measures and their use in interpreting and communicating assessment results.
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ELPAC Performance Level Descriptors

Summative ELPAC Performance Level Descriptors

Reference
Use Summative ELPAC performance level descriptors to interpret results and explain students’ demonstrated English language proficiency.
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Performance Task Rubric

The Smarter Balanced Peformance Task Essentials

Data Resource
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Assessment Literacy & Leadership

Strengthen understanding of assessment purposes, terminology, quality, ethics, and appropriate use while building effective assessment leadership across the organization.
CAASPP Glossary

CAASPP Acronyms

Reference
Look up common CAASPP acronyms to understand assessment terminology and communicate clearly with colleagues.
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Professional Assessment Book Library

Essential Books for Assessment Leaders

Reference
Explore a curated reading list to deepen assessment knowledge and support effective assessment leadership.
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Types of Assessment

Types of Student Assessment

Reference
Explore the purposes and characteristics of different types of student assessment to strengthen assessment literacy and support appropriate use.
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