Types of Resources

The initial, interim, and summative assessments and practice and training tests contain universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations. Embedded resources are those that are part of the online test administration system, whereas non-embedded resources are provided by the LEA outside of the TDS. All accessibility resources are listed and described in the CDE California Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix, which is the definitive source of details about the accessibility resources available for CAASPP and the ELPAC. The information in this manual complements the Matrix.

The accessibility resources in this guide are identified as universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations. These resources are available for the listed, approved assessments and do not change the construct of what is being assessed. Students who receive these accessibility resources will receive a valid score. There is no penalty to the LEA for assigning these resources.

To help identify similarities between the assessment resources and classroom practices, Smarter Balanced has an Accessibility Strategies web page on the Tools for Teachers website. A user has the option of searching for a specific accessibility resource for additional information about how instructional strategies are used in assessments. Alternatively, visit the Student Accessibility Resources web page on the CDE website for more information on accessibility resources for testing.

Available Assessments

Accessibility resources are available for both CAASPP and the ELPAC.

CAASPP

The CAASPP is a system of assessments that includes the required assessments in ELA, mathematics, and science that permit students to demonstrate their mastery of the Common Core State Standards and the California Next Generation Science Standards. Also included in the CAASPP system is an optional assessment, the CSA, which measures a student’s competency in Spanish language arts.

Assessments are made accessible to all students through a variety of universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations.

Students whose IEP teams designate the use of an alternate assessment take the CAAs to demonstrate mastery of the alternate achievement standards. Since the CAAs are administered one-on-one by a test examiner who is familiar with the student and the student’s needs, some listed accessibility resources may not be necessary or supported by the test design. Note that a student assigned to take the CAAs will be automatically assigned to take the alternate assessments for the ELPAC, as needed.

ELPAC

The ELPAC is a system of assessments that is aligned with the 2012 California ELD Standards.

The Initial ELPAC is the mandated state test for ELP that is given to students whose primary language is a language other than English, as indicated in the home language survey completed when they first enroll in a California public school. The purpose of the Initial ELPAC is to determine the English proficiency of students entering California schools for the first time. The Initial ELPAC is a computer-based test for all grade levels and domains except for K–2 Writing, which is a PPT.

The Summative ELPAC is the mandated state test for determining the ongoing progress of students’ ELP status. It is a computer-based test for all grade levels and domains except for K–2 Writing, which is a PPT, and must be given annually to students who have been identified as EL students. California and federal law require that LEAs administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve annually until they become eligible for reclassification.

Existing CAASPP accessibility resources contributed to the development of an ELPAC accessibility framework specific for this population. This approach ensures all students have the opportunity to show what they know and what they can do in English. Resources that were appropriate for the construct being measured were considered, as well as new resources that are specific to the needs of the diverse students taking the ELPAC.

The Initial Alternate ELPAC is the state-mandated standardized measure of ELP for potential EL students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The Summative Alternate ELPAC is the state-mandated standardized measure of ELP for the same population. Both the Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC are aligned with the 2012 ELD Standards via the ELD Connectors, which are reduced in depth, breadth, and complexity for this specific population.

Each test is administered to an individual student by a trained test examiner, typically the student’s teacher. The Initial Alternate ELPAC and the Summative Alternate ELPAC are designed to assess the four domains via integrated receptive (Listening and Reading) items and expressive (Speaking and Writing) items that allow students to use their individually preferred communication modes to ensure eligible students can fully access and participate in the assessments. Accessibility resources for the Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC are provided using the same ELPAC framework.

Since the Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC are administered one-on-one by a test examiner who is familiar with the student and the student’s needs, some listed accessibility resources may not be necessary or supported by the test design.

Available Accessibility Resources

The following accessibility resources and test settings for CAASPP and ELPAC computer-based testing are described in the next subsections. Note that usage and description information is adapted from the Smarter Balanced Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines (PDF). Note also that the samples provided are screen captures made using publicly available practice tests.

The non-embedded accessibility resources for paper–pencil testing are described in the Appendix A: Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and Accommodations section of the CAASPP Paper–Pencil Test Administration Manual; and the Accessibility Resources subsection of the PPT Administration Information section of the ELPAC Online Test Administration Manual.

Universal Tools

Universal tools are available for all students taking the listed, approved assessments and do not change the construct of what is being assessed. Students who receive these accessibility resources will receive a valid score. Universal tools are provided either as digitally delivered components of the TDS (embedded) or separate from it (non-embedded).

Embedded

Select a resource link in table 1 to access its description. In the embedded universal tools table for the CAASPP Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics, CAST, CSA, and Summative and Initial ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 1. Embedded Universal Tools for the General Assessments
Embedded Universal Tool	ELA	Math	CAST	CSA	ELPAC	ELPAC (K–2 Writing)
Breaks (Computer-based Assessments)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Calculator, Mathematics (Selected Items)	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Calculator, Science (Selected Items)	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Digital Notepad	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
English Dictionary (Writing)	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
English Glossary	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
English Thesaurus	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Expandable Items	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Expandable Passages	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Global Notes (Writing)	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Highlighter	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Keyboard Navigation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Line Reader	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Mark for Review	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Mathematics Tools	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Science Charts	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Science Tools	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Spanish Glossary	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Spell Check	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Strikethrough	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Writing Tools	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Zoom	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

Select a resource link in table 2 to access its description. In the embedded universal tools table for the CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science and the Alternate ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 2. Embedded Universal Tools for the Alternate Assessments
Embedded Universal Tool	CAA for ELA	CAA for Math	CAA for Science	Alternate ELPAC
Breaks (Computer-based Assessments)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calculator, Mathematics (Selected Items)	No	No	No	No
Calculator, Science (Selected Items)	No	No	No	No
Digital Notepad	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
English Dictionary (Writing)	No	No	No	No
English Glossary	No	No	No	No
English Thesaurus	No	No	No	No
Expandable Items	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Expandable Passages	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Global Notes (Writing)	No	No	No	No
Highlighter	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Keyboard Navigation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Line Reader	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mark for Review	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mathematics Tools	No	No	No	No
Science Charts	No	No	No	No
Science Tools	No	No	No	No
Spanish Glossary	No	No	No	No
Spell Check	No	No	No	No
Strikethrough	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Writing Tools	No	No	No	No
Zoom	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Non-Embedded

Select a resource link in table 3 to access its description. In the non-embedded universal tools table for the CAASPP Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics, CAST, CSA, and Summative and Initial ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 3. Non-Embedded Universal Tools for the General Assessments
Non-Embedded Universal Tool	ELA	Math	CAST	CSA	ELPAC	ELPAC (K–2 Writing)
Breaks (Computer-based Assessments, PPTs, and PPT Emergency Forms)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
English Dictionary (Writing)	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
English Thesaurus	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Highlighter	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Mark for Review (Grade Two)	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Oral Clarification of Test Directions in English	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Scratch Paper	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Test Navigation Assistant	No	No	No	No	Yes	No

Select a resource link in table 4 to access its description. In the non-embedded universal tools table for the CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science and the Alternate ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 4. Non-Embedded Universal Tools for the Alternate Assessments
Non-Embedded Universal Tool	CAA for ELA	CAA for Math	CAA for Science	Alternate ELPAC
Breaks (Computer-based Assessments, PPTs, and PPT Emergency Forms)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
English Dictionary (Writing)	No	No	No	No
Highlighter	No	No	No	No
Mark for Review (Grade Two)	No	No	No	No
Oral Clarification of Test Directions in English	No	No	No	Yes
Scratch Paper	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Test Navigation Assistant	No	No	No	Yes
English Thesaurus	No	No	No	No

Designated Supports

Designated supports are available for use by any student for whom the need has been indicated by an educator or team of educators (with parent/guardian and student input, as appropriate). They are provided either as digitally delivered components of the TDS (embedded) or separate from it (non-embedded).

Embedded

Select a resource link in table 5 to access its description. In the embedded designated supports table for the CAASPP Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics, CAST, CSA, and Summative and Initial ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 5. Embedded Designated Supports for the General Assessments
Embedded Designated Support	ELA	Math	CAST	CSA	ELPAC	ELPAC (K–2 Writing)
Color Contrast	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Masking	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Mouse Pointer (Size and Color)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Pause or Replay Audio (Listening Domain)	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Pause or Replay Audio (Speaking Domain)	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Permissive Mode (Setting)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Print Size (Setting)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Streamline	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Text-to-Speech	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Text-to-Speech in Spanish	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Translated Test Directions (Spanish)	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Translation Glossaries	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Translations (Spanish Stacked–Dual Language)	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Turn Off Any Universal Tools	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

Select a resource link in table 6 to access its description. In the embedded designated supports table for the CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science and the Alternate ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 6. Embedded Designated Supports for the Alternate Assessments
Embedded Designated Support	CAA for ELA	CAA for Math	CAA for Science	Alternate ELPAC
Color Contrast	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Masking	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mouse Pointer (Size and Color)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pause or Replay Audio (Listening Domain)	No	No	No	No
Pause or Replay Audio (Speaking Domain)	No	No	No	No
Permissive Mode (Setting)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Print Size (Setting)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Streamline	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Text-to-Speech	No	No	No	No
Text-to-Speech in Spanish	No	No	No	No
Translated Test Directions (Spanish)	No	No	No	No
Translation Glossaries	No	No	No	No
Translations (Spanish Stacked–Dual Language)	No	No	No	No
Turn Off Any Universal Tools	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Non-Embedded

Select a resource link in table 7 to access its description. In the non-embedded designated supports table for the CAASPP Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics, CAST, CSA, and Summative and Initial ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

The single asterisk (*) indicates that the read-aloud items designated support is only available for the Writing domain for the Initial ELPAC and the Summative ELPAC and for CSA items.

Table 7. Non-Embedded Designated Supports for the General Assessments
Non-Embedded Designated Support	ELA	Math	CAST	CSA	ELPAC	ELPAC (K–2 Writing)
100s Number Table, Science	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
ASL or Manually Coded English (test directions)	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Amplification	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bilingual Dictionary	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Calculator, Science (Selected Items)	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Color Overlay	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Designated Interface Assistant	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Magnification	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Masking	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Medical Supports	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multiplication Table, Science	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Noise Buffers	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Print-on-Demand	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Printed Test Directions in English	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Read Aloud	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes*	Yes*	Yes
Read Aloud in Spanish	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Science Charts	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Scribe Items (items only [non-PT full write])	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Separate Setting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Simplified Test Directions	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Translated Test Directions	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Translated Test Directions in ASL	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No

Select a resource link in table 8 to access its description. In the non-embedded designated supports table for the CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science and the Alternate ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 8. Non-Embedded Designated Supports for the Alternate Assessments
Non-Embedded Designated Support	CAA for ELA	CAA for Math	CAA for Science	Alternate ELPAC
100s Number Table, Science	No	No	Yes	No
ASL or Manually Coded English (test directions)	No	No	No	Yes
Amplification	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Bilingual Dictionary	No	No	No	No
Calculator, Science (Selected Items)	No	No	No	No
Designated Interface Assistant	No	No	No	Yes
Magnification	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Masking	No	No	No	Yes
Medical Supports	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multiplication Table, Science	No	No	Yes	No
Noise Buffers	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Print-on-Demand	No	No	No	Yes
Printed Test Directions in English	No	No	No	No
Read Aloud	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Read Aloud in Spanish	No	No	No	No
Science Charts	No	No	No	No
Scribe Items (items only [non-PT full write])	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Separate Setting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Simplified Test Directions	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Translated Test Directions	No	No	No	No
Translated Test Directions in ASL	No	No	No	No

Accommodations

Accommodations are changes in procedures or materials that increase equitable access during CAASPP or ELPAC administration. Assessment accommodations will allow these students to show what they know and can do. Students assessed using accommodations will receive a valid score. Accommodations are available for assignment to students with documented IEPs or Section 504 plans. They are provided either as digitally delivered components of the TDS (embedded) or separate from it (non-embedded).

Accommodations do not compromise the learning expectations, construct, grade-level standard, or intended outcome of the assessments.

Embedded

Select a resource link in table 9 to access its description. In the embedded accommodations table for the CAASPP Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics, CAST, CSA, and Summative and Initial ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

The single asterisk (*) indicates that this American Sign Language accommodation is available for the Speaking and Listening domains of the Initial ELPAC and Summative ELPAC. The two asterisks (**) indicate that the closed-captioning accommodation is available for the listening portion of the CAASPP Smarter Balanced for ELA. The three asterisks (***) indicate that the text-to-speech accommodation is available for all domains except Reading.

Table 9. Embedded Accommodations for the General Assessments
Embedded Accommodation	ELA	Math	CAST	CSA	ELPAC	ELPAC (K–2 Writing)
American Sign Language	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes*	No
Audio Transcript (Includes Braille Transcript)	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Braille	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Closed-Captioning	Yes**	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Speech-to-Text	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Text-to-Speech (Reading Passages)	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes***	No
Word Completion	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No

Select a resource link in table 10 to access its description. In the embedded accommodations table for the CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science and the Alternate ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 10. Embedded Accommodations for the Alternate Assessments
Embedded Accommodation	CAA for ELA	CAA for Math	CAA for Science	Alternate ELPAC
American Sign Language	No	No	No	No
Audio Transcript (Includes Braille Transcript)	No	No	No	No
Braille	No	No	No	No
Closed-Captioning	No	No	No	No
Speech-to-Text	No	No	No	No
Text-to-Speech (Reading Passages)	No	No	No	No
Word Completion	No	No	No	No

Non-Embedded

Select a resource link in table 11 to access its description. In the non-embedded accommodations table for the CAASPP Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics, CAST, CSA, and Summative and Initial ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

The single asterisk (*) indicates that the American Sign Language accommodation is available for the Speaking and Listening domains of the Initial ELPAC and Summative ELPAC. The double asterisks (**) indicate that the scribe writing accommodation is available for the PT full write portion of the CAASPP Smarter Balanced for ELA.

Table 11. Non-Embedded Accommodations for the General Assessments
Non-Embedded Accommodation	ELA	Math	CAST	CSA	ELPAC	ELPAC (K–2 Writing)
100s Number Table (Mathematics)	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Abacus	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Additional Instructional Supports and Resources for Alternate Assessments	No	No	No	No	No	No
Alternate Response Options	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
ASL or Manually Coded English	No	No	No	No	Yes*	Yes
Braille	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Breaks	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Calculator, Mathematics (Grades Six and Above)	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Large Print	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Multiplication Table, Mathematics (Grades Four and Above)	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Print-on-Demand	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Read Aloud Reading Passages	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No
Scribe (Writing)	Yes**	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Speech-to-Text	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Word Completion	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Word Processor (Writing)	No	No	No	No	Yes	No

Select a resource link in table 12 to access its description. In the non-embedded accommodations table for the CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science and the Alternate ELPAC, “Yes” indicates that the resource is available during testing, and “No” indicates that the resource is not available during testing.

Table 12. Non-Embedded Accommodations for Alternate Assessments
Non-Embedded Accommodation	CAA for ELA	CAA for Math	CAA for Science	Alternate ELPAC
100s Number Table (Mathematics)	No	Yes	No	No
Abacus	No	Yes	Yes	No
Additional Instructional Supports and Resources for Alternate Assessments	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Alternate Response Options	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
American Sign Language or Manually Coded English	No	No	No	Yes
Braille	No	No	No	No
Breaks	No	No	No	Yes
Calculator, Mathematics (Grades Six and Above)	No	No	No	No
Large Print	No	No	No	No
Multiplication Table, Mathematics (Grades Four and Above)	No	Yes	No	No
Print-on-Demand	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Read Aloud Reading Passages	Yes	No	No	No
Scribe (Writing)	Yes	No	No	No
Speech-to-Text	No	No	No	No
Word Completion	No	No	No	No
Word Processor (Writing)	No	No	No	No