CAASPP Communication: January 2024

email update, Tuesday, January 2, 2024

This communication includes information and updates about the CAASPP .

Upcoming Dates

January 9: TOMS Enhancements

On January 9, several enhancements to the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) will be released. Some the improvements include:

The addition of new information in the View and Edit Users screen to indicate whether a user has signed the required test security agreements or affidavits
A new [Testing Status] tab in the student information area that displays test status for both CAASPP and ELPAC assessments
An update to the Crisis Alert Response System (CARS) that allows users to view a CARS incident for a student regardless of whether it is associated with a CAASPP or ELPAC assessment

More information can be found in the TOMS User Guide .

January 9: Summative Assessments Available

The CAASPP Smarter Balanced for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics; California Science Test (CAST); California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and mathematics; and California Spanish Assessment (CSA) will be available in the secure test delivery system on January 9, 2024, at 8 a.m. after systems resume from scheduled system downtime. Every LEA has a unique testing window that can be viewed in TOMS .

January 9: Assessment Selection List Change

With the launch of the summative CAASPP, the assessment selection list in the Test Administrator (TA) Interface now presents Smarter Balanced, CAST, and ELPAC interim assessments first and displayed in green. All users in TOMS with roles that can administer summative assessments can access and administer any interim assessment. Users accessing the TA Interface should verify that they are selecting the appropriate assessments to administer.

Upcoming Trainings

To register or locate additional details about upcoming, including dates, times, or content, visit the CAASPP Upcoming Training Opportunities web page.

January 9: Coffee Session, 2–3 p.m.

These virtual monthly Coffee Sessions, hosted by the California Department of Education and ETS, offer opportunities for LEA staff to ask questions and get answers about assessments, trainings, resources, and more. If you are not already registered, you can register for one or more upcoming sessions of the 2023–24 Coffee Session Series .

January 23: TOMS Enhancements Demonstration Webinar, 2–3 p.m.

Register now for the TOMS Enhancements Demonstration Webinar . In this webinar, ETS will demonstrate improvements to the functionality in TOMS that will be released on January 9. A recording of this session will be available upon request to your LEA's assigned LEA Success Agent or by email to caloutreach@ets.org.

January 2024: New CAASPP Coordinator Trainings

Held by county office of education (COE) partners, these trainings will review tasks associated with preparing for testing, cover how to support sites during testing, and assist coordinators in planning for post-test activities such as gathering feedback from site coordinators and test administrators. These trainings will be held at COEs across California, and LEA CAASPP coordinators can register for the nearest location. For a list of locations and dates, view the Upcoming Training Opportunities web page on the CAASPP website.

Educator Meeting Opportunities

California educators who are bilingual and biliterate in Spanish are invited to apply to participate in developing the CSA. Participation offers many opportunities to provide powerful input into the development and administration of the CSA. Apply now for the Writing Range Finding meetings, to be held for all grade levels as after-school meetings on select days between April 25 and June 5, 2024. The application closes on January 5, 2024.

For science teachers, opportunities are available for the CAST Data Review meeting taking place June 17, 18, and 20, 2024. The application closes on March 1, 2024.

Details for upcoming meetings can be found on the CAASPP website on the Get Involved web page.

To apply for these meetings and for other opportunities, go to the Educator Opportunities Portal . Those without an Educator Opportunities Portal account can create an account via the Educator Opportunities Portal Account Creation Form in the Educator Opportunities Database. For any questions, please contact the Educator Opportunities Team by phone at 916-228-2682 or by email at edopportunities@scoe.net.

Available Now!

Asynchronous Trainings

The following live trainings were recently posted and are now available on the CAASPP Asynchronous Training Opportunities web page:

Ongoing Reminders

CAASPP Interim Assessments Available to Administer

CAASPP Interim Assessments are currently available to administer for the following assessments:

Smarter Balanced for ELA
Smarter Balanced for Mathematics
(New!) CAST

Educators can access the California Educator Reporting System (CERS) to view results. Interim assessments can be administered in a standardized or nonstandardized manner. More information on the CAASPP Interim Assessments and training opportunities is available on the CAASPP Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page.

CAA for Science Administration

The CAA for Science is currently available for testing. Test examiners (TEs) are encouraged to build their curriculum to allow eligible students to take the four embedded performance tasks throughout the year, following related instruction in each science domain. The four CAA for Science embedded performance tasks can be administered in any order. The Organization of the California Alternate Assessment for Science flyer can be shared with TEs to support their administration of this assessment.

Summative Assessment Scoring Job Opportunities

ETS applications for scorers. This is an excellent opportunity for educators to become more familiar with the California assessments. Scoring schedules are flexible and can include four-, six-, and eight-hour weekday or weekend shifts. California educators interested in applying can view more information on the ETS Online Scoring web page. Questions about the application or hiring process should be directed to etsrater@ets.org . Current scorers can reach out to ratercertify@ets.org for any scoring-related questions.

Previous CAASPP Monthly Communications

Previous CAASPP monthly communications, as well as other email communications, are located on the CAASPP Coordinator Emails web page.

Additional Help

Direct questions about policies, regulations, and requirements to caaspp@cde.ca.gov.
Contact your Success Agent for answers to questions about assessment coordination, development, and administration, as well as for technical support.
Direct questions about Moodle , certification, and calibration to moodlesupport@scoe.net.
Get Answers from a user-friendly lookup tool available to help LEA coordinators quickly find answers to the most common testing questions. Users can also suggest Additional Questions for the FAQ , which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Chat with Anita, your virtual assistant for LEA help, which is available on the CAASPP and ELPAC home pages. Unanswered questions will be routed to your LEA Success Agent.

Sincerely,

California Outreach Team

CAASPP website