Materials Handling

If the LEA has been identified by the CDE as part of the RSVP , please read the following information pertaining to returning the scannable Answer Books.

The Initial ELPAC test materials are secure, scannable test materials and must be treated as such. Initial ELPAC scannable Writing Answer Books that are used for student testing in K–2 must be returned by the LEA ELPAC coordinator for scoring in accordance with the schedule in the next section.

It is recommended that the LEA hold the Answer Books for approximately one month after testing is completed and scored locally and scores have been reported to parents/guardians. This one-month period allows parents/guardians an opportunity to discuss their child’s Initial ELPAC results with their teacher prior to the LEA returning the test materials. This extra time allows for the correction of classification errors process, if applicable. After the month has passed, the LEA should securely pack the scannable test materials according to the provided instructions.

Unused Initial ELPAC test materials do not need to be returned. They must be stored securely on-site for future testing.

Schedule for Scannable Test Materials Return

As part of the 10 percent of LEAs identified by the CDE to participate in the RSVP, scannable Initial ELPAC test materials administered between the months of July and October 2025 are to be returned. Table 1, which follows, is the schedule for returning test materials:

LEA ELPAC Coordinator Procedures

LEA ELPAC coordinators need to consider the following steps as they prepare to return materials:

• Precoded GISs and a set of Pre-ID labels will be sent to the LEA ELPAC coordinator approximately one month after score reports have been generated in TOMS. Pre-ID labels will be generated between August and November 2025.
• The LEA ELPAC coordinator must send the precoded GISs to the appropriate site ELPAC coordinators.
• Pre-ID labels may be sent, at the LEA ELPAC coordinator’s discretion, to the appropriate site ELPAC coordinators. The LEA ELPAC coordinator must ensure that all Pre-ID labels are properly affixed to the corresponding student Answer Books according to the instructions provided with the Pre-ID labels.
• LEA ELPAC coordinators should create a schedule of when test materials are to be returned to the LEA by site ELPAC coordinators in preparation for shipping.
• The LEA ELPAC coordinator should return only Answer Books with Pre-ID labels, once per month, according to the test materials return dates (table 1).
• To serve as a reference for the LEA as to what is being returned in each shipment, an LEA ELPAC coordinator has the option to download and complete the ELPAC School/Group List.
• Should sites require additional white return cartons, the LEA ELPAC coordinator may request additional cartons or GISs, by completing and submitting the Carton and GIS Request Form. Materials must be returned in only the provided white return cartons.

Site ELPAC Coordinator Procedures

Site ELPAC coordinators need to consider the following details and steps as they prepare to return materials:

• Secure, scannable Answer Books must be returned to the LEA ELPAC coordinator for only those students who test during the period of July 7 to October 31, 2025.
• Precoded GISs are provided for tallying the total number of Answer Books to be submitted by grade level or grade span.
• If the site ELPAC coordinator receives Pre-ID labels for those students who tested the month prior, those should be affixed to the Answer Books according to the instructions provided with the Pre-ID labels. This should occur once per month, between August and November.
• Check Answer Books prior to packing to ensure inclusion of student responses and determine whether there are any extra materials that may cause scanning issues (table 2).
  • Answer Books with no written responses should not be returned.
  • The secure, scannable Answer Books should be packed and delivered to the LEA ELPAC coordinator in accordance with the packing instructions that follow.
  • Site ELPAC coordinators should coordinate with their LEA ELPAC coordinator on when to return their test materials.
• LEAs have the option to download and complete the ELPAC School/Group List, when returning Answer Books to serve as a reference for the LEA as to what is being returned in each shipment. ETS recommends keeping a copy of the completed ELPAC School/Group List for LEA records.
• Return test materials in the white cartons provided. Contact the LEA ELPAC coordinator to order additional white cartons.
• Unused test materials do not need to be returned to the LEA ELPAC coordinator. They must be securely stored on-site to be used for future testing. However, site coordinators should confirm with the LEA ELPAC coordinator for LEA guidance.
• The site ELPAC coordinator should follow the directions provided by the LEA ELPAC coordinator for the secure destruction of used test materials from administrations that occur from November 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Pack and Ship Test Materials to LEAs

It is critical that the directions for returning test materials listed in the 2025–26 Initial ELPAC Selected LEAs for the RSVP User Instructions for Test Materials Handling After Testing are followed. These detailed instructions are posted on the RSVP for the Initial ELPAC web page on the CAASPP & ELPAC Website. These instructions are also included with the test materials sent to the LEA in the site ELPAC coordinator and LEA ELPAC coordinator kits. When preparing materials to be returned, always use the precoded GISs provided by the LEA ELPAC coordinator.

Fill Out GISs

When preparing materials to be returned, always use the precoded GIS forms provided by the LEA ELPAC coordinator. A sample of a blank GIS is shown in figure 1 for reference. Do not share precoded GIS forms. Do not use a photocopy of the GIS. Use the GIS that was sent with the Pre-ID labels or blank ones provided in the coordinator kit.

Figure 1. ELPAC GIS

Refer to table 3 for a list of the GIS form fields and their descriptions.

Items to Be Returned

Return used and completed with student responses and secure, scannable Answer Books (K–2) with Pre-ID labels for students who tested from July 7 to October 31, 2025.

Items That Do Not Need to Be Returned

Securely store the following materials on-site for future use:

• Unused secure, scannable Answer Books (K–2)
• All unopened Answer Books (K–2)
• Unused paper bands
• Unused white cartons

Securely destroy the following materials:

• Student rosters
• Unused Pre-ID labels
• Secure, scannable Answer Books that were damaged during testing
• Voided Answer Books
• Used Answer Books of students who tested after October 31, 2025

Secure Destruction of Used Test Materials

CCR, Title 5, Division 1, Chapter 11, Subchapter 7.6, Article 5; the ELPAC Test Security Agreement; and the ELPAC Test Security Affidavit require LEA ELPAC coordinators, site ELPAC coordinators, and all persons who come in contact with ELPAC test materials to take all necessary precautions to safeguard all tests and test materials. At the end of each school year, LEAs are required to ensure that all used Initial ELPAC test materials are locally and securely destroyed.

At the end of each Initial ELPAC testing window, LEA ELPAC coordinators must

• arrange for the secure destruction of used Initial ELPAC materials, and
• indicate the LEA’s method of destruction by completing an online certification form that will be made available to LEA ELPAC coordinators via email communication close to the end of the administration window.