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Understanding the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

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About the ELPAC

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The ELPAC Has Two Assessments

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Who:�Students in grades K through 12

Initial ELPAC

Summative ELPAC

Let’s start by answering the question of who takes the ELPAC assessments.

For the Initial ELPAC, the test is given to students who are new to school in California AND whose Home Language Survey indicates a language other than English.
If your child is in their first year of school in California you completed a home language survey that asks what languages you speak at home when you enrolled your child in school.
When you said that your child speaks a language other than English at home, this tells us that we need to give your child the Initial ELPAC so we can learn about their English language proficiency.
The Initial ELPAC is given to students within 30 days of enrollment in a California school.
Students take the Initial ELPAC only once in their school career.

The Summative ELPAC is given to students who have been identified as English learners.
They will take this test each spring to measure their progress in learning English until they are reclassified as English proficient.

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Why:

Initial ELPAC

Summative ELPAC

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What:

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How:

Computer–Based
By a Test Examiner
In groups or individually

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When:

Initial ELPAC

July 29 – June 4

Summative ELPAC

Feb 2 – May 31

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ELPAC Scores:

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How to Access your Students Score Report

Access CAASPP Electronic Test Scores

Sign in to your Aeries Parent Portal account. ...
From the top bar menu click on Test Scores > State Test Scores Reports.
Click on the scores tab to view your student test scores.

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Starting Smarter

https://elpac.startingsmarter.org

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Starting Smarter Video

https://youtu.be/HS8cVQin_fc

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Ask your child’s teacher:

In what areas is my child doing well?
In what areas might my child need some extra support?
How can I help support my child at home?
How are you supporting my child at school?

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Help Your Child Succeed

Read with your child

Ask your child to tell you what he or she sees in the picture or what is happening in the picture.

Provide your child with opportunities to use language

Additionally, here are a few other ways that you can help your child be successful:

[For elementary schools]
Encourage your child to read daily.

[For middle and high schools]
Your child will likely have homework every day. You can help support their success by making sure your child has a quiet place at home to do that work that is free from distractions.

[For all students]
When it’s time for testing, talk to your child about the test. Make sure your child knows that the tests are important, but they are just one measure of learning. The teacher uses that information along with other information to make sure your child is getting the support they need.

If you’re interested, the California Department of Education has also developed ELPAC Practice Tests that you can access from home on the computer. You can look at sample test questions and get familiar with the way questions are presented on the computer. More information about the ELPAC Practice Tests are on the Parent Resources flyer that you received today/tonight.

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Learn More:

Take an ELPAC Practice Test with your child at home

https://www.caaspp-elpac.org/resources/preparation/practice-and-training-tests

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Reclassification Process

Starts with Summative ELPAC score

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Reclassification Criteria

In California, schools follow four main rules to decide if a student who is learning English is ready to be reclassified as fluent in English. This means the student no longer needs extra English support.

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#1 - English Language Test

Students must take a state test called ELPAC.
To be considered fluent, students need to score Level 4 (Well Developed) on this test.
For students with disabilities, a different version of the test may be used, and they may need a score of Level 3.

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#2 - Teacher Evaluation

Teachers look at how well the student is doing in class.
They check if the student understands lessons and can do grade-level work.
The teacher must say the student is ready to be reclassified.

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#3 - Parent Meeting

Schools must talk with parents or guardians.
Parents share their thoughts about how their child is doing in English.
This meeting helps everyone understand the student’s progress.

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#4 - Basic Skills in English

The student’s reading and writing skills are compared to other students who speak English fluently.
Schools use tests like SBAC or FAST assessments to check this.
The student must show they can do grade-level work in English.

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Monitoring RFEP Students

Students who are reclassified will no longer take the Summative ELPAC assessment.

Students who are reclassified will continue to take district assessments and CAASPP state assessments.

Academic performance will be monitored for four more years at school. Parents will be informed if a student is struggling and needs additional support or intervention.

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Questions