Recently Arrived English Learners and CAASPP ELA
How TOMS assigns the Smarter Balanced ELA assessment, how to confirm the one-time exemption, and what happens when an eligible student participates.
The short answer
Yes. TOMS assigns the English language arts/literacy assessment to English learner students regardless of enrollment date. A recently arrived English learner who meets California’s first-12-month eligibility rule may receive a one-time exemption from the Smarter Balanced ELA assessment.
Confirm the student’s status
Green: Exemption confirmed
The student is within the first 12 months of attending a U.S. school, as determined after April 15 of the previous school year, and the CAASPP LEA-Level Student Test Assignment Report shows “Y” in column AP, ELA Exempt.
Action: The student is not required to complete the ELA assessment.
Yellow: Eligible but participating
An exempt student may still take the ELA assessment, including when participation is requested by the parent or guardian and the student is properly configured for testing.
Action: Verify the assignment and demographic information before testing.
Red: Status does not match
The student appears eligible, but the report does not show the expected exemption—or other TOMS information conflicts with district records.
Action: Stop and investigate the source data. Do not create a local workaround or manually assign the NEL code.
Current condition-code clarification
Current California guidance identifies NEL—Not tested English learner as the condition code for an eligible recently arrived English learner who does not complete ELA. TOMS generates NEL automatically from CALPADS student information. Staff do not enter this code manually, and there is no separate exemption field to complete in TOMS.
Recommended verification workflow
- Confirm English learner status and U.S. school entry information. Review the authoritative local record and the information reported through CALPADS.
- Run the CAASPP LEA-Level Student Test Assignment Report. Do this before the LEA’s testing window.
- Check column AP, ELA Exempt. A “Y” confirms that the student is not required to test under the recently arrived EL provision.
- Resolve discrepancies before testing. If the result is unexpected, verify the underlying student data and follow current CAASPP support procedures.
- Document a participation decision. If the eligible student will take ELA, follow local procedures and confirm that the assignment and demographics are correct.
- Review results carefully. If the student responds to enough questions to meet minimum scoring requirements, the score will be included in aggregations.
Quick answers
- Why does an exempt student still have an ELA assessment in TOMS?
TOMS assigns ELA regardless of enrollment date. The student’s exemption status determines whether participation is required; it does not necessarily remove the assessment from the system.
- Who qualifies for the one-time exemption?
An English learner within the first 12 months of attending a U.S. school, as determined after April 15 of the previous school year, may qualify. Confirm the system determination in the CAASPP LEA-Level Student Test Assignment Report.
- Must staff enter an exemption or condition code?
No. There is no separate TOMS field for staff to complete. When applicable, the NEL condition code is generated automatically from student information supplied through CALPADS.
- Can an exempt student take the ELA assessment?
Yes. Current CAASPP guidance says the assessment remains available, and an eligible student may participate. When participation is requested, the coordinator should confirm the correct assessment assignment and CALPADS demographic information before testing.
- Will the student’s score count if the student begins testing?
If the student answers enough questions to meet minimum scoring requirements, the score will be included in aggregations.
- Is this the same as a parent opt-out?
No. The recently arrived EL provision is a one-time ELA exemption determined from student eligibility data. A parent or guardian exemption uses a different process and condition code.
Official external resources
Important: Use the current TOMS report and official CAASPP guidance for individual decisions. Correct student information through authorized data processes and allow time for updates to reach testing systems. Reviewed August 2, 2026.