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:

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