Test Design and Administration Guidelines

The Initial Alternate ELPAC is a computer-based, linear (nonadaptive) assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in kindergarten through grade twelve whose IEP team decides should take alternate assessments and who also have been identified as potential ELs based on the HLS. The Initial Alternate ELPAC is delivered under untimed testing conditions. Delivery online makes the Initial Alternate ELPAC consistent with the CAAs.

It is important to note that students will not be expected to interact directly with the computer; the one-on-one administration model will allow for the TEs to interact with the computer on behalf of a student, as appropriate to that student’s individual needs and abilities. However, in some cases, the TE selects the responses indicated by the student. The TE should use the training tests to determine each student’s mode of communication.

The Initial Alternate ELPAC is designed for one-on-one administration. A student may respond

• by independently navigating and selecting responses directly in the testing device when able; or
• by indicating a response through any of the student’s alternate response modes—such as gestures, eye gaze, or an AAC device—and the TE selects the response for the student in the testing platform.

For some test questions scored with a rubric, modeling of the correct answer is allowed as written in the rubric. Hand-over-hand or other physical prompting should not be used.

All test questions may be individualized based upon the student’s IEP and following the ELPAC Accessibility Resources for Operational Testing. Additionally, the DFA includes directions for optional individualization. Optional individualization provides for the use of real objects, manipulatives, or picture cards. TEs should preview the DFA and decide whether individualization is appropriate. If so, the materials should be readied before testing.

Technical Requirements

The Initial Alternate ELPAC is administered online and requires two internet-connected devices: a student testing device with the secure browser installed and a separate device that the TE uses to start a test session through the Test Administrator Interface. The Initial Alternate ELPAC TEs may also use their device to access a DFA that is posted in TOMS.

The general technical requirements and supported devices are also similar to those for the computer-based CAASPP and ELPAC assessments. These are described in the CAASPP and ELPAC Technical Specifications and Configuration Guide for Online Testing. Additional information on the technical requirements for the Initial Alternate ELPAC is provided in the Preparing for the Administration subsection of this document.

DFAs

The DFAs for the Initial Alternate ELPAC include test day instructions and must be used by the ELPAC TE to administer tests to students. The DFAs also include the test administration script for the ELPAC TE to use at the beginning of testing and provide administration guidance for the day of testing. The Initial Alternate ELPAC has only one form. All students will be assessed using the same form.

All student responses will be entered in the online Alternate ELPAC test delivery platform and then exported to ETS for analysis. TEs are required to enter and score all responses, including test questions that have a rubric. TEs should use the scoring rubrics provided in the DFA to score, in the moment, all expressive test questions with a rubric.

LEA ELPAC coordinators, site ELPAC coordinators, and Alternate ELPAC TEs can access PDFs of the DFAs through the [Resources] tab on the top navigation bar in TOMS. DFAs will not be printed and shipped to the LEAs.

Test Scheduling

Testing Window and Test Times

The Initial Alternate ELPAC testing window will be open from July 5, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Pursuant to CCR, Title 5, Section 11518.5(e), Initial Alternate ELPAC testing and parent/guardian notification of results must be done within 30 calendar days after students are first enrolled in a California public school or 60 calendar days prior to instruction, but not before July 1. LEAs may schedule testing according to local preference within this window and do not need to inform the CDE or ETS. All testing must take place within this window.

Key Dates

Table 1 lists key dates for the Initial Alternate ELPAC administration.