General ELPAC Information & Links

OVERVIEW OF INITIAL AND SUMMATIVE TESTING IN SFUSD

Listening  - Speaking  -  Reading  -   Writing 

Initial & Summative ELPAC tests are administered by qualified, trained SFUSD staff. Training must be renewed annually. Testing coordinators for each site are trained by RPA/AAO for group tested parts and they, in turn, train those on site who test students. One to one parts (domains) of the test require extra certification. 

Initial ELPAC: One time assessment that is given throughout the year as new students enroll. 

• Phase I: Most students assigned Initial ELPAC are tested in the first two months of school. District examiners come to sites to administer the 1:1 sections. School sites are responsible for group testing. The Initial ELPAC determines whether a student is an English Learner (EL) or Initially Fluent (IFEP). AAO will upload notification letters to ParentVue and upload those dates to the master list. Family notification Lettersmay also be printed and sent by the school site if testing is scheduled and not date is posted. (No need to inform AAO. Just keep an internal record of the date sent in case of audit)
• Phase II: From November through the end of the year, students arrive each month. All sites will continue to do group testing. A designee at each non-newcomer site will take extra training to become qualified to do the 1:1 parts of the test. They will be notified monthly of the students they need to test. Newcomer sites are supported by RPA for 1:1 parts. Notification letters will be uploaded to ParentVue each month. If sites wish to print and send, the letters (Translated) are here. 

Summative ELPAC: Annual assessment to monitor student progress in English

• Summative ELPAC takes place February 3 - May 30, 2025. 
• Sites must send home family notification letters prior to testing. A batch is sent to school sites with documentation to verify it was sent home. For any who are eligible after this initial mailing, schools need to print and mail home a letter (copies to print). Those included in the January Batch are indicated in the Master list for Summative State Testing. 
• District Examiners test the 1:1 sections. Trained site staff administer the group tested domains (3-12 L,R,W). 
• MATERIALS AND INFORMATION: ELPAC is comprised of 4 domains; Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking
• WHO MAY ADMINISTER THE ELPAC?  Only staff who meet the following criteria may test students.
  • Employed by  SFUSD and proficient in English
  • Must attend RPA/AAO TC training for each test annually OR attend & sign-in to a training conducted by a trained Test Coordinator on site for the applicable test (Initial or Summative). Prior year's trainings do NOT apply. 
  • Must have a TOMS platform account and sign an affidavit, confirming adherence to security requirements.
  • There are sections of the test that must be done 1:1. These sections require supplemental certification to administer. The speaking domain for all grades is 1:1. All domains for TK-2 are 1:1. 
• TESTING SUPPORT
  • Signs related to testing security for posting in the room
  • Non-TOMS affidavit for any staff who are not trained, but will be exposed to the test. Non SFUSD staff may not have access to the test or be in the room.
  • Resources and Videos to support ELPAC testing
• GENERAL INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH STAFF & COMMUNITY MEMBERS
  • Two page overview to share with families (Great to print and share at meetings with families)
    • Translated guides to understanding for ALL state tests
  • Starting Smarter: Parent guide, including sample score reports (incl. Spanish link)
  • Blueprints for Summative ELPAC: A breakdown of testing item types
  • Practice Testing Information
  • Reclassification Information 

NEW: ELPAC INTERIM ASSESSMENTS

(Optional assessments available after August 6, 2024 - Similar to the IABs for Smarter Balanced Tests)

• Information on Interim Assessments (State Website)  - ELPAC Interim Assessments at a glance: One pager
• Assessments may be used in a non-standardized format or a standardized format
  • Non-Standardized: Teachers can use the Interim Assessment Viewing System to present items to a group of students. Tests need not be submitted.

  • Standardized: Use the same testing platform and procedures as the general ELPAC tests. Test coordinators at sites can give access to the Test Operations Management system (TOMS) if needed. Here is an administration "how to" video. 

    *Teachers may request ELPAC Interim Assessment TOMs access by emailing us at:  aao@sfusd.edu.

  • Results: (2024-25)   Administered in 4 Domains  (Remember to score Speaking and Writing and enter those scores for students for results to show on the report) Results are uploaded for standardized administration weekly.