Initial
July 1–June 30
Assessment
ASSESSMENT FACT SHEET

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

WHAT IS THE ELPAC?

The ELPAC is California’s new assessment that is used to determine the English language proficiency (ELP) of students whose primary language is other than English. The ELPAC is replacing the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) and is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. The ELPAC assesses four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

THE ELPAC CONSISTS OF TWO SEPARATE ASSESSMENTS:

INITIAL ASSESSMENT
The ELPAC Initial Assessment is used to identify students as being either an English learner (EL) or fluent in English. The Initial Assessment is administered only once during a student’s time in the California public school system, based on the results of the home language survey. Once operational, the locally scored Initial Assessment will be the oficial score.
		SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
The ELPAC Summative Assessment is given only to students who have previously been identified as an EL based upon the Initial Assessment results, in order to measure how well they are progressing with English development in each of the four
domains. The results are used as one of four criteria to determine if the student is ready to be reclassified as fluent English proficient, to help inform proper educational placement, and to report progress.

WHY IS THE ELPAC GIVEN?

The purpose of the ELPAC is to identify students who are limited in English, which is important so these students can receive the supports they need to do well in school and have access to the full curriculum.

WHO TAKES THE ELPAC?

The Initial Assessment is given to students in grades K–12 whose primary language is not English to determine their ELP status.
		The Summative Assessment is given only to students in grades K–12 who have been identified as an EL. ELs will take the assessment every year until they are reclassified as fluent English proficient.

Students with disabilities who cannot take one or more domains of the ELPAC with allowed universal tools, designated supports, or accommodations, will take an alternate assessment(s), as noted in their individualized education program or Section 504 plan.

HOW IS THE ELPAC GIVEN?

Both the ELPAC Summative and Initial Assessments are paper-pencil tests administered in seven grade spans—K, 1, 2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–10, and 11–12. In kindergarten and grade 1, all domains are administered individually. In grades 2–12, the test is administered in groups exclusive of speaking, which is assessed one-on-one.
Testing times will vary depending upon the grade level, domain, and individual student. Once the ELPAC is
operational, estimated testing times will be made available on the ELPAC Web site at http://www.elpac.org.

WHEN IS THE ELPAC GIVEN?

Initial Assessment (Field Test)

Aug. 28–Sept. 22

2017–18

Summative Assessment (Operational)

Feb. 1–May 31

2018–19

Assessment	Summative (Operational)                  (Operational)
Feb. 1–May 31

For additional information, call your site ELPAC Coordinator or visit the California Department of Education ELPAC Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ep/ or the ELPAC Web site at
http://www.elpac.org/.                                                                                                                                       August 2017