February 1, 2023
Identifying students who need help learning English is important in order to provide the support they need to succeed in English Language arts and literacy, mathematics, science, and other subject areas in school. The Summative English Language Proficiency Assessments for California, or Summative ELPAC, is the test used to measure students’ understanding of English when it is not their home language. Data from the ELPAC informs teachers of the language areas in which their students need extra support.
Students identified as an English language learner will take the Summative ELPAC in person this spring. The Summative ELPAC measures how much progress a student is making in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. The student’s voice is recorded during the speaking part of the test. These recordings may be used to double check test scores and will not be saved or made public. This test will give your child’s teacher information about where your child may need extra support.
Administration of the Summative ELPAC begins in EUSD on Wednesday, February 1, and will continue through Wednesday, May 31. Each school has a specific testing window within the EUSD window.
Students in Kindergarten through grade 12 who are classified as English learners will take the Summative ELPAC every year until they are reclassified as proficient in English.
You are an important part of your child’s education. To help your child feel comfortable taking the test, you can:
Explain to your child that the test is a tool to help them learn.
Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best.
Talk with your child’s teacher about their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to support their learning.
Explore this practice test with your child so they are familiar with the platform and setup.
Read to your child, or have them read to you on a regular basis.
Use pictures and ask your child to tell you what they see, or what is happening in each picture.
Provide your child with opportunities to use language outside of school.
Talk with your child’s teacher about your child’s listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to help support their progress.
Summative Assessment results will be mailed to parents or guardians in the fall. Summative ELPAC results will be used as one of the requirements for reclassification. You are welcome to participate on the school’s English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) at your child’s school to provide input and feedback on English learner programs and to continue to receive the most updated information about the ELPAC.
To learn more about the ELPAC, visit the California Department of Education Parent Guides to Understanding web page. You also can view sample test questions on the ELPAC Starting Smarter Website.
If you have any questions about your child taking the ELPAC, please contact your child’s teacher or principal.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools