English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
The ELPAC is the successor to the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) effective February 1, 2018. The ELPAC is the required state test for English language proficiency that must be given to students whose primary language is other than English.
State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of English language proficiency (ELP) to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The California Department of Education (CDE) is transitioning from the CELDT to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment by the end of 2018. The ELPAC will be aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It will be comprised of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student’s level of ELP.
Comparison of the CELDT to the ELPAC
California is in the process of transitioning from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). The CELDT will continue to be administered until the ELPAC becomes operational. The table below shows a comparison between the CELDT and the ELPAC.
| CELDT | ELPAC |
|---|---|
Aligned with the 1999 California English Language Development (ELD) Standards with five proficiency levels | Must be aligned with the 2012 California ELD Standards, which have three proficiency levels (Emerging, Expanding, and Bridging) |
| One test used for two purposes: initial assessment and annual assessment | Two separate tests for two purposes: (1) initial identification; and (2) annual summative assessment. The initial identification will be brief and locally scored. |
Paper-pencil tests | Paper-pencil tests with a potential to transition to computer-based tests |
July 1–October 31 Annual Assessment window | Annual Summative Assessment window to be a four month period after January 1 (proposed February 1–May 31), allowing for more pre-test instructional time |
| Five grades/grade spans: K–1, 2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12 | Seven grades/grade spans: K, 1, 2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–10, and 11–12 |
Five performance levels | Four performance levels |
| Reporting domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing | Reporting domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing |
Students, and Parents/Guardians
For more information in regards to the ELPAC please visit the following links:
- ELPAC Practice Tests Provide an opportunity to become familiar with the types of test questions on the ELPAC and include examples of all of the types of test questions that may appear in the actual Summative ELPAC https://www.elpac.org/resources/practicetests/
- A Parent Guide to Understanding the ELPAC (in English and six other languages) Provides answers to key questions, such as who takes the assessments and why, when, and how they are administered as well as other questions parents and guardians may have https://www.elpac.org/resources/
- State ELPAC Practice Test promotional flyer Promotes the ELPAC practice tests and includes a link to the practice tests https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ep/documents/elpacpracticetests.pdf
- ELPAC Matrix Four: Student Accessibility Graphic Displays the universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations (non-embedded) allowed as part of the ELPAC system https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ep/ documents/elpacaccessibility2017.pdf
Educators
For more information in regards to the ELPAC please visit the following links:
- Copy of Rio School District ELPAC Administration letter This is a copy of the letter parents receive along with the students ELPAC results. English | Spanish
- Summative Domain Information Sheets (in English and Spanish) List all task types, per domain, with a brief description and the grade level(s) administered, for the Summative ELPAC https://www.elpac.org/resources/
- Initial Domain Information Sheets (in English and Spanish, coming soon) List all task types, per domain, with a brief description and the grade level(s) administered, for the Initial ELPAC
- ELPAC “Matrix Four: Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and Accommodations” Displays the universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations (nonembedded) available for the ELPAC https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ai/elpacmatrix4.asp
- ELPAC Fact Sheet Provides answers to key questions, such as who takes the assessments and why, when, and how they are administered as well as other questions educators may have https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/assessmentfactsheets.asp
- ELPAC overview videos Provides general information about the ELPAC, including laws and regulations, purposes, and how the ELPAC is administered English | Spanish
- A Guide to Understanding the ELPAC A parents/guardians guide to the ELPAC English | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese