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What do you already know about the ELPAC?

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What do you already know about the ELPAC?

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What is one question or wondering you have about the upcoming Summative ELPAC?

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What is one question or wondering you have about the upcoming Summative ELPAC?

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How do plan to use this new learning to support and prepare your students for the ELPAC?

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How do plan to use this new learning to support and prepare your students for the ELPAC?

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What surprised you about the ELPAC Speaking Task, Summarize an Academic Presentation?

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What surprised you about the ELPAC Speaking Task, Summarize an Academic Presentation?

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Can students who are Level 2 test out of EL classification or do they have to be a Level 4 to be tested out?

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Reclassification Criteria

The reclassification criteria set forth in California EC Section 313 and 5 CCR Section 11303 remain unchanged. LEAs should continue using the following four criteria to establish reclassification policies and procedures:

Criterion 1: Assessment of English Language Proficiency

Assessment of language proficiency using an objective assessment instrument, including, but not limited to, the English language development test that is developed pursuant to EC Section 60810 :

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) constitute the required state assessments for English language proficiency (ELP) administered to students whose primary language is a language other than English. With the possible exception of students with unique needs or who are dually identified, EL students who do not have either a Summative ELPAC or Summative Alternate ELPAC score are not eligible to be reclassified, even if they have met other locally-determined criteria.

The Summative ELPAC Overall Performance Level (PL) 4 was approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) as the statewide standardized ELP criterion for the Summative ELPAC. LEAs shall use ELPAC Overall PL 4 to determine whether a student assessed with the Summative ELPAC has met that criterion.

Students who score at Summative ELPAC Overall PL 4 should be considered for reclassification.

Students who score at Summative ELPAC Overall PL 3 or lower should not be considered for reclassification. However, LEAs are encouraged to convene interest holders for a larger conversation to inform planning, placement, and personal goals for the short term and the next school year. These convenings should include parents, whenever possible, and focus on strengths, growth areas, and opportunities for the student.

Some EL students with unique needs, or dually-identified students, may need specific considerations for how this criterion is met as described in the student's individualized education plan (IEP). In such instances, members of the student's IEP team should confer to document and discuss how the student's unique needs affect their ability to obtain an Overall PL 4.

The Summative Alternate ELPAC is the state test for ELP for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. LEAs shall use Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3 (Fluent English Proficient) as the Alternate ELP criterion.
All students with a Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3 (Fluent English Proficient) are eligible to be considered for reclassification in conjunction with the other three locally determined required reclassification criteria.

Resources to Support Criterion 1

Criterion 2: Teacher Evaluations

Teacher evaluations, including, but not limited to, a review of the pupil's curriculum mastery:

This criterion remains locally determined and LEAs should continue using teacher evaluations per local policy to establish reclassification policies and procedures for Criterion 2. Teacher evaluation is not to be interpreted as teacher opinion and should be based on data as well as the LEA's locally-established process for soliciting teacher evaluation.

For students who score at ELPAC Overall PL 4 or Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3 (Fluent English Proficient), LEAs should establish a local policy and process to collect feedback on an eligible student's mastery of the curriculum provided by that student's teachers (See Resources to Support Criterion 2).
Because the student may have different language support needs across different subject areas, all teachers and certificated staff with direct responsibility for teaching or placement decisions of the student should be afforded the opportunity to evaluate.

If other reclassification criteria suggest that a student who scored at Summative ELPAC Overall PL 4 or Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3 (Fluent English Proficient) has learning deficits in other areas, decision-makers are encouraged to discuss these results with those who know the student (e.g., classroom teachers, parents, instructional specialists or coaches) to identify needed services and supports, so as not to preclude a student with unique needs from demonstrating readiness for reclassification.
Please note: Deficits in academic success, although currently unrelated to ELP, may indicate a student has incurred a deficit while learning English. Although this situation does not preclude a student from reclassification, the LEA is obligated to ensure the student is provided ongoing academic support, and any other necessary support, designed to recuperate and remedy any such deficits before reclassification, during the four-year RFEP monitoring period or beyond, until the deficits are remedied.

The CDE is in the process of developing a standardized resource for this criterion. The Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners (OPTEL) is an observation protocol currently under development to meet the requirements of EC Section 313.3 .

Resources to Support Criterion 2

Criterion 3: Parent Consultation

Parental opinion and consultation:

This criterion remains locally determined and LEAs should continue using parental opinion and consultation per local policy to establish reclassification procedures for connecting with EL families to answer questions, discuss student performance on each criterion (Criteria 1-4), and set goals for the next school year. Parental consultation and opinion, not consent, is required per EC Section 313 (f)(3). 5 CCR Section 11303 mandates parental involvement through encouragement of the participation of parent(s) or guardian(s) in the school district's reclassification procedure, including seeking their opinion and consultation during the reclassification process, but consent is not required.

For students who score at Summative ELPAC Overall PL 4 or Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3 (Fluent English Proficient), LEAs are encouraged to convene interested parties (including the student's current teachers, teachers from the previous school year, and relevant academic coordinators) to discuss the eligible student's performance and recommend goals for the next school year.
These consultations should lead to a reclassification discussion, held prior to decisions, that includes parents and yield collaboratively developed ideas, plans, and decisions for any change in classification as well as support to be provided during the four-year RFEP monitoring period.

Access issues should not be a justification for failing to connect with parents. LEAs can think strategically about connecting with parents, including through alternative means (e.g., direct phone calls; one-on-one conferences) if needed. An interpreter should be provided for the parent, when necessary.

LEAs can reach out to parents of all students eligible for reclassification to consult via phone, virtual school platforms, or other technology that is available to parents in order to give parents the opportunity to discuss progress and data or to voice any concerns and questions about their child's likely reclassification.

LEAs should focus on the information that makes the student eligible, any necessary supports for the student to succeed in rigorous, grade-level learning, and how to monitor and meet these needs via the RFEP monitoring process.

It can be productive to ensure that parent consultations involve everyone who knows and will be supporting the student in the coming school year: parents, decision-makers, as well as all relevant teachers and support staff, in order to address parent questions about how the school's instructional environments and supports will continue to benefit the student's academic success. Hearing parent concerns, responding to their questions, and then collaboratively identifying strategies to address those questions is an appropriate use of parent consultation time.

The CDE is in the process of developing a standardized resource for use when addressing this criterion. The OPTEL is an observation protocol currently under development to meet the conditions of California EC Section 313.3 .

Resources to Support Criterion 3

The following resources may be helpful for LEAs looking for tools to support parent consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Criterion 4: Basic Skills Relative to English Proficient Students

Comparison of the performance of the pupil in basic skills against an empirically established range of performance in basic skills based upon the performance of English proficient pupils of the same age, which demonstrates whether the pupil is sufficiently proficient in English to participate effectively in a curriculum designed for pupils of the same age whose native language is English:

LEAs establish the empirical range of performance in basic skills when setting the locally established criteria for reclassification and consider the overall achievement goals set for all students. In doing so, the following definitions of related terms may be helpful:

Performance in basic skills: The score and/or performance level resulting from a recent administration of an objective assessment of basic skills in English (e.g., Smarter Balanced assessments, district benchmarks).

Range of performance in basic skills: A range of scores on the assessment of basic skills in English that corresponds to a performance level or a range of scores within a performance level.

Students of the same age: English-proficient students who are enrolled in the same grade as the student who is being considered for reclassification.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium English language arts scores, LEA benchmarks, or other assessments identified by the LEA that measures progress in English language arts can be used to meet the requirements for Criterion 4. Progress can be measured by a set score or point span depending upon the educational research and value.

The selected assessment must be administered to all students, not solely to English learner students.

The Interim Assessment Blocks (IABs) may not be used to satisfy this criterion per EC Section 60642.7 (b).

If other reclassification criteria suggest that a student who scored at Summative ELPAC Overall PL 4 or Summative Alternate ELPAC Overall PL 3 (Fluent English Proficient) has learning deficits in other areas, decision-makers are encouraged to discuss these results with those who know the student (e.g., classroom teachers, parents, instructional specialists or coaches) to identify needed services and supports, so as not to preclude a student with unique needs from reclassification or reclassify too soon.
Please note, deficits in academic success, although currently unrelated to ELP, may indicate a student has incurred a deficit while learning English. Although this situation does not preclude a student from reclassification, the LEA is obligated to ensure the student is provided ongoing academic support, and any other necessary support, designed to recuperate and remedy any such deficits before reclassification, during the four-year RFEP monitoring period or beyond, until the deficits are remedied.

Resources to Support Criterion 4

The following resources may be helpful for LEAs looking for tools to support the basic skills criterion during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smarter Balanced Website
The Smarter Balanced assessment system is designed to support instruction and give teachers better information about their students' progress.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)
Students in grades three through eight and grade eleven will receive full-length summative tests for both English language arts/literacy and mathematics, with approximately seven to eight hours of total testing time for each student.

State Board of Education Approved Content Standards
Content standards were designed to encourage the highest achievement of every student, by defining the knowledge, concepts, and skills that all students should acquire at each grade level.

Legislation

Reclassification procedures shall utilize multiple criteria in determining whether to reclassify a pupil as proficient in English, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

1. Assessment of language proficiency using an objective assessment instrument, including, but not limited to, the English language development test that is developed or acquired pursuant to Section 60810.

2. Teacher evaluation, including, but not limited to, a review of the pupil's curriculum mastery.

3. Parental opinion and consultation.

4. Comparison of the performance of the pupil in basic skills against an empirically established range of performance in basic skills based upon the performance of English proficient pupils of the same age, that demonstrates whether the pupil is sufficiently proficient in English to participate effectively in a curriculum designed for pupils of the same age whose native language is English.

EC Section 313(f)
English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment requirements are specified in California EC sections 313, 60810, and 60812.

EC Section 60810
California law requires that the assessment for initial identification of an English learner and the summative assessment shall include, but not be limited to, an assessment of achievement of these pupils in English reading, speaking, and written skills.

LEAs Monitor RFEP Students for Four Years

The CDE released guidance regarding RFEP monitoring in a letter to LEAs titled Monitoring of Reclassified Students. State and federal laws require LEAs to monitor students who have exited EL status for a period of four years after they have RFEP status (20 United States Code Section 6841[a][4][5]; Title 5 California Code of Regulations [5 CCR] Section 11304). After students have exited an EL program through the locally-approved reclassification process, LEAs must monitor the academic progress of those RFEP students for at least four years to ensure that:

The students have not been prematurely exited;

Any academic deficit they incurred as a result of learning English has been remedied; and

The students are meaningfully participating in the standard instructional program comparable to their English-only peers.

In preparation for and during the four-year RFEP monitoring period, LEAs can continue to use the results of Criteria 2-4 to inform areas of focus for reclassified students. To this end, LEAs should establish rigorous monitoring systems that include benchmarks for expected growth in acquiring academic content knowledge during the academic year and take appropriate steps to assist students who are not adequately progressing toward those goals. During this monitoring time, LEAs must ensure that RFEP students have met the same academic achievement goals set for all students.

If RFEP students do not yet meet the same academic achievement goals set for all students during the four monitoring years or beyond, intervention and support are to be provided. These services are not dependent on specialized funds. When an LEA's monitoring of an RFEP student indicates that academic deficits were incurred while the student learned English, the LEA should take affirmative steps to provide remedy of those deficiencies and continue to provide support until resolved. For example, RFEP students who score below the adjusted range of performance on Criterion 4, during the four-year monitoring period, should receive focused support to ensure that they reach and maintain parity with native-English peers.

Letters to the Field

Guidance for Reclassification with the Summative Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessments for California for 2022-23
This letter provides updated guidance for reclassification with the Summative Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessments for California for 2022-23.

Reclassification Guidance for 2020-21 and Statewide Testing Window Extension (June 14, 2021)
This letter provides continued reclassification guidance and notifies LEAs of adjustments to the Summative ELPAC testing schedule.

COVID-19 Reclassification Guidance for 2019-20 and Fall Administration (July 1, 2020)
This letter provides guidance regarding ELPAC testing and reclassifying students from English learner to fluent English proficient status for 2019-20.

Letter to Local Educational Agencies Regarding the Monitoring of Reclassified Students (December 20, 2019)
This letter reminds LEAs about requirements of monitoring reclassified students.

Reclassification Guidance for 2019-20 (September 2, 2019)
This letter provides guidance to LEAs regarding reclassifying students from English learner to fluent English proficient status.

Updated Letter to Local Educational Agencies Regarding Reclassification Guidance for 2018-19 (January 18, 2019)
This letter updates the guidance previously provided to local educational agencies regarding reclassifying students from English learner to fluent English proficient status.

Letter to Local Educational Agencies Regarding Interim Reclassification Guidance for 2018-19 (September 14, 2018)
This letter updates to interim guidance provided to LEAs regarding reclassifying students from English learner to fluent English proficient status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Additional Resources

Reclassification FAQs
The above link provides frequently asked questions regarding English learner reclassification.

Surveying the Landscape of California's English Learner Reclassification Policy
This report shares results from a survey of district policies for measuring English learner progress and for removing the English learner designation, before and during school closures due to COVID-19.

English Learners Resources Web Page
The above link provides FAQs regarding English learners in California and appropriate teacher authorizations and links to websites with information about developing programs for linguistically and culturally diverse students.

Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) Instrument California Department of Education (CDE) Web Page
The California Department of Education Monitoring Tool is a web-based system, which allows LEAs to facilitate a response to state and federal requirements for program monitoring.

U.S. Department of Education English Learner Toolkit Web Page
Office of English Language Acquisition's EL Tool Kit was published in 2015 as a companion to support the January 7, 2015 Dear Colleague Letter (PDF) produced by the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and the Department of Justice, outlining legal obligations for English learner students. Some chapters of the tool kit have been updated related to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.

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Information on how a local educational agency (LEA) determines whether or not an English learner (EL) student has sufficient English proficiency to be reclassified as a fluent English speaker.

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Students can be reassessed and test out of EL classifications

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How are parents/guardians involved in the ELPAC process?

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The student can be tested out of EL classifications based on their scores.

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The student can be tested out of EL classifications based on their scores.

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A test foe El’s

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Students continue to be tested until they "reclassify"

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What level do students need to reach to “graduate” from being an EL student ?

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Students are tested on speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

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How does the test vary by grade level?

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Test to see where they are at to be classified.

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There are 4 sections: listening, speaking, writing, and reading

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Just learning about it now-unfamiliar with it

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Just learning about it now-unfamiliar with it

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Please describe the process of a student being reclassified

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What can we do to learn more about the test? 

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What can we do to learn more about the test? 

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How can the ELPAC go hand-in-hand with students with IEPs? 

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How can the ELPAC go hand-in-hand with students with IEPs? 

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The ELPAC test is divided into four levels of language proficiency, 1-4, with 4 being fluent in English.

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The ELPAC test is divided into four levels of language proficiency, 1-4, with 4 being fluent in English.

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Looking forward to learning about it overall

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Please describe the reclassification process

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Students are tested to see what stage of development (1-5) they are currently in

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Students are tested to see what stage of development (1-5) they are currently in

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How can we use their results to inform our support of the students?

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How can we use their results to inform our support of the students?

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response from Hillary- Students CANNOT be opted out from ELPAC testing.

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The test can be stopped early if students get a 1 on the first few questions.

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The test can be stopped early if students get a 1 on the first few questions.

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How difficult the task was and that they only get to hear the audio once.

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How difficult the task was and that they only get to hear the audio once.

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How complicated and challenging the questions can be, especially for elementary EL students. 

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How complicated and challenging the questions can be, especially for elementary EL students. 

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The complexity of the prompt for such a young age group.

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The complexity of the prompt for such a young age group.

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how rigorous it is-seems beyond the age level

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I didn't realize that the test was meant to confuse our students even more.

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I didn't realize that the test was meant to confuse our students even more.

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I teach TK, so I feel like I’d need an example for younger students to be able to truly reflect.

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The academic language and level of complexity that students are expected to analyze.

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The academic language and level of complexity that students are expected to analyze.

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I plan to use this learning to help me figure out my students' learning needs for their IEP. 

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I plan to use this learning to help me figure out my students' learning needs for their IEP. 

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The complexity of the test, definitely agree, I think it would be challenging for a native English speaker to successfully "pass" the test.

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Im not sure non EL students could pass the test.

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Not developmentally appropriate for all learners.

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Use the resources to better prepare my EL students beginning in the fall.

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Is there practice tests that we could give the students on the ELPAC website?

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Is there practice tests that we could give the students on the ELPAC website?

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Hillary provided the answer to this question in post below.

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I wonder if the ELPAC has been given to native English speakers so that we have a true midpoint of where the average student in a specific grade level performs in a test like this

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I wonder if the ELPAC has been given to native English speakers so that we have a true midpoint of where the average student in a specific grade level performs in a test like this

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I feel shocked on how challenging the speaking tasks are for English learners. I can only imagine the reading and writing tasks. I am also in shock of the prompts that are allowed to be given to help. 

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I feel shocked on how challenging the speaking tasks are for English learners. I can only imagine the reading and writing tasks. I am also in shock of the prompts that are allowed to be given to help. 

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I plan to work with my mentor and the EL staff member to find all ways that I can support my EL student to prep for this

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I plan to work with my mentor and the EL staff member to find all ways that I can support my EL student to prep for this

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Supporting all students with visual aides, prompts, and supportive language to help foster their current levels of understanding various content.

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The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is composed of the Initial ELPAC and Summative ELPAC as well as the Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC. The practice and training tests allow students, parents/guardians, families, teachers, administrators, and others an opportunity to become familiar with the computer-based test delivery platform as well as the types of test questions that may appear on the operational test at each grade level or grade span.

The practice test includes examples of all the types of test questions that may appear in the operational test at each grade level or grade span and mirrors a full-length operational test. The training test is shorter compared to the practice test and includes some sample test questions for each domain.

Table of Contents:

Practice Tests and Training Tests

Test examiners will need to use the Directions for Administration (DFAs) and follow the instructions when administering the online practice tests and training tests.

Training test DFAs provide an overview of the ELPAC or Alternate ELPAC and instructions to use when administering the online training tests.

Practice test DFAs provide an overview of the ELPAC or Alternate ELPAC and instructions to use when administering the online practice tests.

Practice test scoring guides provide details about student response types, correct responses, and related scoring considerations for the included sample of practice test items.

Initial ELPAC and Summative ELPAC

Key differences to consider when using these practice and training test resources to prepare for the Initial and Summative ELPAC:

The following are key differences to consider when using these practice test and training test resources to prepare for the Initial ELPAC and Summative ELPAC:

The online ELPAC practice tests can be used to prepare for either the Initial ELPAC or the Summative ELPAC. The online ELPAC practice tests are based on the full-length Summative ELPAC. However, these practice tests can also be used to prepare students for the Initial ELPAC since the task types used in the Initial ELPAC are a subset of the task types appearing in the Summative ELPAC.

The following task types appear on the Summative ELPAC and do not appear in the Initial ELPAC:

Speaking: Present and Discuss Information

Reading: Read a Student Essay

Writing: Write About Academic Information

The Initial ELPAC is combined for grades nine through twelve. Students may use the ELPAC practice test for grade span nine and ten or grade span eleven and twelve to prepare for the Initial ELPAC.

Kindergarten

Grade One

Grade Two

Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC

The following are key differences from the operational assessments to consider when using these practice test and training test resources to prepare for the Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC:

The online Alternate ELPAC practice tests can be used to prepare for either the Initial Alternate ELPAC or the Summative Alternate ELPAC. The online Alternate ELPAC practice tests are based on the full-length Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC.

The Initial Alternate ELPAC is combined for grades nine through twelve. Students may use the Alternate ELPAC practice test for grade span nine and ten or grade span eleven and twelve to prepare for the Initial Alternate ELPAC.

Practice Test Picture Cards

For the Alternate ELPAC, test examiners have the ability to use picture cards during the student's test administration. Picture cards are a resource used for students who communicate using picture cards or an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. These picture cards should not be substituted during operational test administration. Print or upload the picture cards to the student's AAC device as appropriate. All of the practice test picture cards for each grade level or grade span can be accessed via the following link:

Answer Choice Cards

Test examiners have the option to use answer choice cards that are available as a stand-alone PDF. Some students communicate using picture cards or answer choice cards. If test examiners do not have standardized answer choice cards for use in the classroom, they may use the answer choice cards accessed via the following link:

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The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is comprised of the Initial, Summative, and Alternate ELPAC.

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How to Reclassify in Brentwood (Tk-8 BUSD)

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How to Reclassify in Brentwood (Tk-8 BUSD)

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more detail about how Brentwood Union uses FastBridge Reading tests to meet criteria #4 of Reclassification Criteria. **Students must be at low risk (or better)

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Brentwood's (BUSD) Reclassification Criteria #4: Basic Skills test

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Brentwood's (BUSD) Reclassification Criteria #4: Basic Skills test