English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
The ELPAC will be the successor to the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). The CELDT is the current required state test for English language proficiency that must be given to students whose primary language is other than English.
State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of English language proficiency (ELP) to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The California Department of Education (CDE) is transitioning from the CELDT to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment by 2018. The ELPAC will be aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It will be comprised of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student's level of ELP.
The links and information below were developed for educators and others who are directly involved with the ELPAC.
ELPAC Updates
To receive updates on the latest information about the ELPAC, join the CDE’s ELPAC e-mail list by sending a blank e-mail to: subscribe-elpac@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
Educator Opportunities
There are four educator opportunities available during the 2016–17 school year. See the online application at the link below for more specific details. All meetings will be held in Sacramento.
| Meeting (Location: Sacramento) | Date | Time Commitment | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
Speaking Range Finding | October 2016 | 3–4 days | July 6, 2016 |
Speaking Range Finding | April/May 2017 | 3–4 days | January 6, 2017 |
Writing Range Finding | May/June 2017 | 3 days | January 6, 2017 |
Standard Setting | September/October 2017 | 4 days | March 10, 2017 |
The online application can be accessed here: ELPAC Educator Opportunities Application 
.
.Transition to the ELPAC Information
Comparison Chart – This chart compares the current CELDT to its successor, ELPAC, as the state ELP assessment in 2018.
Transition Timeline – This timeline shows the transition from the CELDT to the ELPAC from 2015–16 to 2018–19.
ELPAC Blueprints
The task types (PDF) in the ELPAC blueprints (PDF) are designed to be aligned with California’s 2012 English Language Development Standards which were developed to correspond to the 2010 California Common Core State Standards. The task types and blueprints were approved and adopted by the State Board of Education on November 4, 2015.
Education Code
The administration of an ELP assessment is required by law. The current state test is the CELDT.
- English Language Proficiency Assessment, Section 313
- Assessment of Language Development, Section 60810
English Language Development Standards
- 2012 California English Language Development Standards
- Correspondence Study Report (PDF)
- Integrating the CA ELD Standards into K-12 Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning: A Supplementary Resource for Educators Implementing the California English Language Development Standards, the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, and the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools (DOC; New; 16-Dec-2015)
Regulations
Contact the English Language Proficiency Assessments (ELPA) Office at elpac@cde.ca.gov for the most up-to-date information regarding the ELPAC regulations and the rulemaking process.
General Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)
On January 13, 2016, the State Board of Education (SBE) approved the General Performance Level Descriptors which will be used to guide the development of domain and grade/grade span-specific PLDs in summer 2016. General PLDs (sometimes called policy definitions) provide generic descriptions of student performance level expectations, and are used to guide the development of the specific PLDs.
Contact Information
California Department of Education
Assessment Development and Administration Division
English Language Proficiency Assessments Office
Telephone: 916-319-0784
E-mail: elpac@cde.ca.gov
Assessment Development and Administration Division
English Language Proficiency Assessments Office
Telephone: 916-319-0784
E-mail: elpac@cde.ca.gov
Questions: English Language Proficiency Assessments Office | elpac@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0784
Last Reviewed: Friday, May 27, 2016