Charter SELPA — Statewide Assessments Field Guide

ELA — CAASPP Participation (Grades 3–8, 11)

The IEP team must determine how the student will participate in the CAASPP ELA assessment.

Options (select one per assessment):
• SBAC ELA — Standard test; may include Designated Supports and/or Accommodations
• California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for ELA — For students with the most significant cognitive disabilities meeting specific participation criteria

Designated Supports — Available to any student whose IEP identifies them as needed. No additional approval required. Examples: text-to-speech, translated test directions, extended time.

Accommodations — Require documentation in the IEP and must not invalidate the construct being measured. Examples: scribe, word processor with spell check disabled, American Sign Language.

⚠ Accommodations used on the state test must already be used routinely in instruction and classroom assessments. A new accommodation cannot be added just for testing.

Math — CAASPP Participation (Grades 3–8, 11)

The IEP team must determine how the student will participate in the CAASPP Math assessment.

Options:
• SBAC Math — Standard test with optional Designated Supports and/or Accommodations
• CAA for Math — For students meeting alternate assessment participation criteria

Math-specific considerations:
• Calculator accommodations must be carefully reviewed — the math test has embedded calculator tools for certain portions; use of separate calculator may be an accommodation for other portions
• Read-aloud for math problems is a Designated Support for most grades

⚠ Check current CAASPP Matrix for each year's approved supports and accommodations. The list is updated annually and not all supports available in prior years may still be approved.

Science — CAASPP Participation (Grades 5, 8, HS)

California Science Test (CAST) — administered in grades 5, 8, and once in high school (grades 10–12).

Options:
• CAST — Standard test aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
• CAA for Science — For students meeting alternate assessment participation criteria; administered in grades 5, 8, and 10

Same Designated Supports and Accommodations framework applies as for ELA and Math. Verify the current CAASPP Accessibility Resources Matrix for approved supports.

⚠ The CAA for Science is only available in specific grades. A student in grade 7 cannot take the CAA for Science — they would not be assessed in science that year.

Physical Fitness Test & Alternate Assessment Criteria

Physical Fitness Test (Fitnessgram) — grades 5, 7, and 9.

• Out of testing range — Student is not in a tested grade
• Without Accommodations — Student participates in standard PFT
• With Accommodations — Student participates with documented accommodations
• With Modifications — Must check with PFT Office prior to use. Modifications change what is measured and require pre-approval.

Alternate Assessment Criteria checkbox:
If the student is taking the CAA (for ELA, Math, or Science), the IEP team must document that it reviewed and applied the state's participation criteria. The decision to place a student on an alternate assessment must be made by the full IEP team — not a single person — and must be revisited annually.

⚠ A student cannot be placed on the CAA solely because of a disability label. The decision must be based on the student's individual needs as documented in the IEP.

Other State-Wide Assessments & DRDP

Other State-Wide / District-Wide Assessment(s) — Document any additional required assessments:
• California Science Test (if not already noted above)
• District-adopted benchmark or interim assessments
• Any other state-mandated assessments applicable to the student

Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) — Ages 3–5
The DRDP is the state assessment tool for children ages 3–5 in early childhood special education programs. It is an observational assessment completed by teachers and service providers.

If the student takes the DRDP, check all adaptations that apply:
• Sensory support, functional positioning, visual support
• Alternative response mode (e.g., eye gaze, switch access)
• Assistive equipment or AAC system

Adaptations do not change what is being assessed — they change HOW the student demonstrates their skills.

ELPAC — English Learners Only

Complete this section ONLY for students identified as English Learners in SIS.

Initial ELPAC — Administered within 30 days of enrollment for a student newly identified as potentially EL. Determines EL status.

Summative ELPAC — Annual assessment for all identified EL students. Results drive reclassification decisions.

Participation options:
• Without Designated Supports or Accommodations — Standard administration
• Embedded Designated Supports — Built into the computer-based test platform
• Non-embedded Designated Supports — Provided externally (e.g., separate setting, read-aloud)
• Embedded/Non-embedded Accommodations — Require IEP documentation; must not change the language construct being measured
• Domain Exemption — A specific ELPAC domain may be exempted only under very limited circumstances with documentation

⚠ Note: Computer-based for all domains grades 3–12. Writing domain is paper-based ONLY for grades K–2.

Alternate ELPAC

The Alternate ELPAC is for EL students who also take the CAA — students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who cannot meaningfully participate in the standard ELPAC.

Initial Alternate ELPAC — For newly identified EL students who meet alternate assessment criteria.
Summative Alternate ELPAC — Annual assessment for EL students on the alternate pathway.

Support options:
• Embedded Designated Supports — Built into the test platform
• Non-embedded Designated Supports — Provided externally
• Non-embedded Accommodations — Require IEP documentation

⚠ A student cannot participate in the Alternate ELPAC unless they already qualify for alternate state assessments (CAA). This decision must be made by the full IEP team with documented criteria review, not assumed based on disability category alone.

Alternate Assessment (CAA) — Eligibility & Determination

The California Alternate Assessment (CAA) is not an automatic placement. It requires a formal, documented IEP team decision based on specific state criteria.

Eligibility Criteria — ALL of the following must be true:
1. The student has a significant cognitive disability
2. The student's disability significantly impacts their ability to acquire, use, and demonstrate knowledge and skills through typical grade-level content
3. The student requires extensive and pervasive supports across environments and settings
4. The student's education is characterized by instruction focused on alternate achievement standards

⚠ A disability category alone does not qualify a student for the CAA. Students with autism, intellectual disability, or other significant disabilities may or may not meet criteria — the determination must be individualized.

Team Decision Process:
• Decision must be made by the full IEP team — not a single administrator or teacher
• Parents must be informed of the implications before the decision is finalized
• Decision must be reviewed at every annual IEP — it is not a permanent placement
• The Participation Criteria Worksheet must be completed and retained in the student file

Connection to Alternative Pathway to a Diploma (Ed Code 51225.31):
CAA participation is one of two required conditions for a student to pursue the Alternative Pathway to a Diploma. The student must also be enrolled in coursework aligned with state standards (documented on ITP Page 2).

Supporting Resources