Summative ELPAC—Test Administration Options
It is recommended that each local educational agency (LEA) offer the following two test administration options to meet the needs of the families the LEA serves:
An LEA should implement in-person or co-located administration as the primary method of conducting the assessment. The LEA should carefully limit physical contacts and implement proper social distancing protocols that meet all state, county and local health and safety guidelines for such in-person administration. In addition, an LEA should offer a computer-based administration alternative for parents and guardians who express concerns about the in-person administration, or in the event local health restrictions make in-person administration unworkable. Finally, the administration of paper–based tests should only be offered if students have an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan that precludes them from taking a computer-based assessment (this refers to the entire test – not just writing).
In-Person or Co-Located Administration
Per California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines as of September 4, 2020, all LEAs are permitted to bring students into a school or LEA facility for the purpose of assessments. For more details, visit the CDPH’s Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth web page.
In-person or co-located administration occurs when the test examiner (TE) and student are in the same room while completing the assessment. It offers the greatest chance for test security by limiting the number of persons able to view assessment questions and materials. It also removes several possible obstacles by allowing the TE to see and hear the student respond to what is happening during testing.
General information about physical distancing measures can be found in the Suggested Guidelines for Physically Distancing Test Administration web document. For more up-to-date and specific information on safe test administration in the LEA’s local area, please contact local county health officials.
If a student is identified as needing to complete the Summative ELPAC through a paper–pencil assessment on either an IEP or Section 504 plan, that assessment needs to be completed through an in–person or co–located style of administration.
Remote Computer-based Administration
LEAs should also offer a computer-based assessment option to address parent and guardian concerns or health agency restrictions. Because it is necessary to monitor students online during remote test administration, LEAs must provide parents and guardians with the Parent Notification Letter. The letter will provide information regarding the requirements of a camera and microphone during testing.
Students taking the Listening, Reading, and Writing domains for grades three through twelve will need to use the secure browser. The secure browser should already be on any LEA-supplied device. If students are using a personal device (PC, iMac, or iPad with iOS 14), a student may download the secure browser found on the Spring Administrations for Parents/Guardians web page.
For the Speaking domain, or any of the kindergarten, first grade, or second grade domains, the TE will access the student testing interface via a web browser. The TE will run the student testing interface and share the screen with the student using web meeting software, such as Zoom or Google Meet.
For complete technology requirements and instructions on managing remote test administration scenarios, refer to the Technology Requirements and Instructions for Remote Administration of Computer-based Assessments (coming soon) web documents.