English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC)

The ELPAC is California’s assessment that is used to determine the English proficiency of students whose primary language is any language other than English. The ELPAC assesses students in four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

State law (California Education Code sections 313 and 60810) and federal laws (Titles I and III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act {ESSA}) require that local educational agencies (LEAs) administer a state test of English language proficiency to (1) newly enrolled students whose primary language is not English, as an initial assessment, and (2) students who are designated as English learners (ELs), as an annual summative assessment.  For California’s public school students, this test is the ELPAC.

The ELPAC is used to assess and monitor EL students’ progress toward English Language proficiency in conjunction with other assessments that their English only peers also take.  EL students continue to take the ELPAC annually until they meet their LEA’s reclassification criteria.

Yes.  Students in year one of a two year kindergarten program will take the kindergarten test.  All students enrolled in the LEA in year one of a two year kindergarten program, whose primary language is other than English, as determined by the home language survey must be administered the ELPAC within 30 calendar days of enrollment or 60 calendar days prior to instruction, but not before July 1.

Both the ELPAC initial and summative assessments are administered online and/or through paper/pencil with a test proctor who is usually their classroom teacher or another certificated individual from the campus. 

In Transitional Kindergarten through grade 1, all domains are administered individually.  In grades 2-12, the test is administered in groups exclusive of speaking, which is administered individually. Testing times will vary depending upon the grade level, domain, and individual students.