ELPAC for Staff

The English Language Proficiency Assessment for California is a required annual state test for all students who are identified as English Learners.

This annual state mandated exam helps teachers and parents to understand how students are progressing in developing their English proficiency. It is also one of the four state-required criteria for reclassification. The ELPAC Summative measures students' proficiency in the four domains of language: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Keep reading for frequently asked questions regarding the annual ELPAC test.

1. Who has to take the ELPAC?

All students who have been identified as English Learners must take the ELPAC Summative Assessment (ELPAC SA) each year. For students who are new to California, they may have to take the ELPAC Initial Assessment (ELPAC IA), depending on the results of their home language survey.

2. When do students have to take the ELPAC?

The annual window for the ELPAC SA falls from February 1 to May 31. The ELPAC IA is administered year round, within 30 days of the student's initial enrollment.

3. Can students opt out of the ELPAC?

No. Unlike other state exams, such as the CAASPP, students cannot opt out of ELPAC testing.

4. I have a newcomer in my class who just enrolled and took the ELPAC Initial. Do they still have to take the ELPAC Summative?

Yes. Even if the student just enrolled, they are required to take the ELPAC Summative during the annual testing window. The Multilingual Learner department recommends that these students be tested last when possible, in order to give them as much time as possible to grow their English skills.

5. Who can give the ELPAC?

Any HUSD staff member who has been trained and who has signed the Test Security Affidavit may administer the ELPAC Summative. Check with your principal and/or EL Specialist to learn how you can help with testing. The ELPAC Initial is only given at the HUB by trained HUSD testers.

6. Can I give the ELPAC during my ELD class time?

Yes. As long as the only students in the room are English Learners who are also taking the test, you can give it in a class setting, provided that the group is 20 or fewer, or that you have a proctor with you for groups of 21 or more. Check with your principal and/or EL Specialist to see how they can support you with testing in a class setting.

7. Is there a special schedule for ELPAC testing?

As with the CAASPP, school sites determine their own schedules for ELPAC testing. Check with your principal and/or EL Specialist to learn more about your school site's testing schedule.

8. I have students with IEPs and 504 plans. Are there accommodations and modifications available for this test?

Yes. Their accommodations and modifications will mirror those that they qualify for with the CAASPP. Click here to view all of the available testing supports, including universal supports that can be used for any student. Please note that in order to use certain accommodations or modifications, the student must have it reflected in their IEP or 504, and that it is already set up in the system for them.

9. I have students with IEPs and feel that the ELPAC Summative is not an appropriate assessment for them. Can they be exempt from the test?

Students who are ELs must take either the ELPAC Summative, or the Alternate ELPAC. The Alternate ELPAC is designed for students who would also take the California Alternate Assessment (CAA), and it must be reflected in the student's IEP. Otherwise, they must take the ELPAC Summative.

10. Who will administer the Alternate ELPAC to my students who need it?

A Special Education staff member will administer the Alternate ELPAC. Check with your students' case managers for more information.

11. My instructional time is extremely valuable, as I am also preparing my students for other high-stakes tests (e.g. CAASPP, CAST, AP testing, etc.). Can my students take the ELPAC outside of the school day to minimize class interruptions?

No. The ELPAC, just like CAASPP, must be administered during the regular school day. It is important for students to know that their English language acquisition is important to their success in all subject areas, and that their teachers support them on their journey towards reclassification.

12. It is difficult to find space for testing at my school site. Can the ELPAC Summative be administered off-site, if it is during school hours?

No. The ELPAC Summative must follow the same rules as for CAASPP testing, including that it be completed in a secure testing environment. Please work with your principal to find any available space at your school that would be suitable for testing.

13. Can students take the ELPAC remotely?

No. In HUSD, students must be given the ELPAC in person. If a student is on independent study, the principal and/or EL Specialist will communicate with their teacher and schedule a time for the student to come to their home school for testing.

14. How long does it take for a student to complete the ELPAC?

ELPAC testing times vary by grade level and by testing domain (i.e. speaking, reading, writing, and listening). Click here to see the estimated testing times for each grade level and domain.

15. Parents are asking for their child's ELPAC scores. When will they be available?

ELPAC scores are typically released beginning in May of the testing year, with additional releases every two weeks, based on when the student completed the test.

16. Parents are asking me where they can view their child's ELPAC scores. What should I tell them?

Once available, parents can view their child's scores on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

17. My primary students (TK-2) are being pulled out of class for ELPAC testing much more than my colleagues' upper elementary (3-6) students. Why is this?

There are more test domains for grades TK-2 that must be administered one on one than in any other grade span. Therefore, students in grades TK-2 will be pulled out individually for testing. It is important for classroom teachers to be as flexible as possible so that all students are able to complete the ELPAC Summative during the testing window.

18. What can I do to help my students prepare for the ELPAC Summative?

You can help students by giving ELPAC Practice Tests, or the new ELPAC Interim Assessments. The ELPAC Interim Assessments can be used to track students' progress in English language proficiency, however they cannot be used for high stakes purposes such as reclassification or class placement.