Preparing for the Summative Alternate ELPAC Administration

This section provides an overview of the various tasks and actions LEAs should complete to prepare for administering the Summative Alternate ELPAC.

Student Data

CALPADS is the authoritative source for student enrollment, demographic, and program information for TOMS. The student-level data from CALPADS will be used for administration of the ELPAC. The use of CALPADS data for these assessments underscores the importance of keeping CALPADS up to date and accurate. LEA ELPAC coordinators need to work closely with the LEA CALPADS coordinator to confirm that students do not have multiple SSIDs because of having been enrolled in other LEAs. Any student listed in the MIDS report for CALPADS should not test until the information has been corrected.

The minimum data that needs to be correct in CALPADS for a student to start testing is as follows:

  • Name
  • Grade
  • School and LEA information
  • CALPADS enrollment status codes of 10 (primary) or 30 (short-term)
  • Parent/Guardian address (to be printed on SSRs)
  • ELAS
  • Primary language
  • A “Y” in the IDEA Indicator
  • A valid Primary Disability Code
  • All other demographic fields the LEA wants to view in the final student data file that is downloadable from TOMS

CALPADS documentation, including field names and field codes, and information about CALPADS support are available on the CDE CALPADS web page.

Using TOMS to Prepare for the Summative Alternate ELPAC Administration

TOMS is a secure website where authorized users from LEAs can perform tasks for the Alternate ELPAC, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Add and delete users
  • Assign students’ test settings
  • Manage Summative Alternate ELPAC test administration
  • Access STAIRS to submit testing incident reports
  • Download data, including student files and test reports

Usernames and Passwords

Usernames and passwords are created in TOMS after an LEA ELPAC coordinator or site ELPAC coordinator has entered users for access. Having a username and password allows ELPAC TEs to log on to the Test Administrator Interface, which is necessary to generate a test session ID and approve students for testing.

For more information about the different user roles in TOMS, refer to the CAASPP and ELPAC TOMS User Guide.

Student Test Assignment in TOMS

LEA ELPAC coordinators and site ELPAC coordinators must use TOMS to verify that all eligible students have been assigned to take the Summative Alternate ELPAC. Student eligibility is based on a decision by the IEP team. Once the IEP team determines the student is eligible for the Summative Alternate ELPAC, the IEP is entered into the SIS, and the information the SIS receives is updated in CALPADS. Student demographic data from CALPADS is uploaded into TOMS on a nightly basis. It is important for LEAs to keep CALPADS data up to date.

Information about setting up student test assignments in TOMS, including using the bulk upload option, can be found in the Upload Student Update: Overview section of the CAASPP and ELPAC TOMS User Guide.

Student Test Settings in TOMS

Embedded and non-embedded accommodations and designated supports that do not affect student scores are available for students taking the Summative Alternate ELPAC. Configuring student test settings in TOMS ensures that students receive the assigned embedded accessibility resources for the computer-based assessments. These accommodations and designated supports must be assigned in the [Test Settings] tab of the Student Profile page in TOMS. For more information about available accessibility resources and helpful videos about test settings, refer to the ELPAC Accessibility Resources web page on the ELPAC website as well as the CAASPP and ELPAC Accessibility Guide.

In addition, unlisted resources are non-embedded supports identified in the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan that may be provided but may change the construct being measured. Use of unlisted resources must first be approved by the CDE. If the CDE determines the unlisted resource changes the measured construct, the following will apply:

  • The student’s Summative Alternate ELPAC score will be assigned the LOSS for reporting purposes.
  • This scale score will be reported on the SSR with an asterisk and a footnote that an unlisted resource that changed the construct was used.

Non-embedded resources also must be recorded in TOMS and provided to the student locally.

Any changes to student test settings in TOMS must be completed before the student can test. The update, once made, may take up to 24 business hours to appear in the Test Administrator Interface. Failure to correct test settings before testing, which is a testing irregularity, could result in the student not being provided with the needed accommodations, designated supports, or both at the time of testing.

Information about assigning student test settings in TOMS can be found in the Student Profile—Test Settings Overview subsection of the CAASPP and ELPAC TOMS User Guide.

Technology Infrastructure

Prior to the computer-based Summative Alternate ELPAC administration, LEA ELPAC coordinators and site ELPAC coordinators must review the technology infrastructure at their schools to ensure it meets the minimum requirements for administering the computer-based Summative Alternate ELPAC.

The CAASPP and ELPAC Technical Specifications and Configuration Guide for Online Testing provides the technical specifications for computer-based testing. This includes information about internet and network infrastructure requirements, hardware and software requirements, and secure browser installation.

The Secure Browser

All students must use a secure browser to access the computer-based Summative Alternate ELPAC. The secure browser is updated each year and must be downloaded and installed or updated prior to assessment, even if the device was used for testing in a prior year.

The secure browser is designed to support test security by prohibiting access to external applications or navigation away from the assessment.

School technology coordinators are responsible for ensuring that each device to be used for testing at the school is properly secured by installing the most current secure browser. Secure browsers are available for download on the Secure Browsers web page. Instructions for installing and configuring the secure browser on student devices can be found in the CAASPP and ELPAC Technical Specifications and Configuration Guide for Online Testing web manual.

It is recommended that the secure browser be opened on a student’s testing device before the student approaches the test to begin testing.

Establishing Appropriate Testing Conditions

Site ELPAC coordinators and Alternate ELPAC TEs should work together to determine the most appropriate testing option(s) and testing environment based on the number of students in each tested grade level or grade span, the estimated time needed to complete each test, and each student’s individual needs. TEs should set up testing areas for students that minimize distractions and maximize student engagement.

For the Summative Alternate ELPAC, the TE can test within the classroom or in a separate setting (which could be a blocked-off area within the room). The Summative Alternate ELPAC will be read aloud to the student, is not timed, and allows for breaks when needed by the student.