ELPAC Overview 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which grade-span grouping does the ELPAC use for Kindergarten students?
- Kindergarten is its own separate grade span (Correct answer)
- K–2 combined grade span
- K–3 combined grade span
- K–5 combined grade span
Correct answer: Kindergarten is its own separate grade span
Kindergarten has its own dedicated ELPAC forms because the literacy and language demands differ significantly from grades 1 and above.
Question 2: The Summative ELPAC Speaking domain is scored by whom?
- Trained local district scorers using a rubric (Correct answer)
- ETS (Educational Testing Service) central scorers only
- The student's homeroom teacher without training
- Automated AI speech recognition software
Correct answer: Trained local district scorers using a rubric
Speaking responses are recorded and scored locally by trained district personnel using CDE-provided scoring rubrics.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT one of the four domains assessed by the ELPAC?
- Mathematics (Correct answer)
- Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
Correct answer: Mathematics
The ELPAC assesses four language domains—Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing—and does not include a mathematics domain.
Question 4: What California ELD standards form the foundation of the ELPAC's content framework?
- 2012 California English Language Development Standards (Correct answer)
- 1999 California ELD Standards
- Common Core State Standards for ELA
- World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Standards
Correct answer: 2012 California English Language Development Standards
The ELPAC was specifically designed to measure student progress toward the 2012 CA ELD Standards adopted by the California State Board of Education.
Question 5: How often must currently designated English learners take the Summative ELPAC?
- Once per year (Correct answer)
- Every two years
- Every three years
- Only when teachers request it
Correct answer: Once per year
All students with active English Learner designation must take the Summative ELPAC annually to track their English language development progress.
Question 6: Which ELPAC administration window typically occurs in the spring semester?
- Summative ELPAC (Correct answer)
- Initial ELPAC
- Both Initial and Summative simultaneously
- Neither; ELPAC is administered in fall only
Correct answer: Summative ELPAC
The Summative ELPAC is administered during a designated spring testing window, while the Initial ELPAC is given year-round when new students enroll.
Question 7: What does a Composite Score on the Summative ELPAC represent?
- An overall proficiency score combining all four domain scores (Correct answer)
- The average of only the Reading and Writing scores
- A score combining standardized test and classroom grades
- The highest single domain score a student earned
Correct answer: An overall proficiency score combining all four domain scores
The Composite Score aggregates performance across all four ELPAC domains (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) into a single overall proficiency indicator.
ELPAC Overview 3
Which grade-span grouping does the ELPAC use for Kindergarten students?