English Language Proficiency AssessmentS for California (ELPAC)

  • The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is the successor to the CELDT exam.  California Education Code requires all students designated as English Learners (EL's) to take an English proficiency test annually to track student progress and provide educational services. ELPAC Assessments have four components:

    • Listening
    • Speaking
    • Reading
    • Writing

FAQ's about ELPAC

  • What is the purpose of the ELPAC?

    State law (California Education Code sections 313 and 60810) and federal laws (Titles I and III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act [ESEA]) 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 English learners (ELs), as an annual summative assessment (SA). 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. EL students continue to take the ELPAC SA annually until they meet their LEA’s reclassification criteria.

    Can parents/guardians opt their child out of the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)?

    No. Parents/Guardians cannot opt their child out of the ELPAC. State and federal law (California Education Code sections 313 and 60810 and federal law Titles I and Ill of the Every 天美影视 Succeeds Act) require that all students whose primary language is other than English be assessed for English language proficiency. The legal basis for requiring English language proficiency testing is that all students have the right to an equal and appropriate education, and any English language limitations (left unidentified and/or unaddressed) could preclude a student from accessing that right.

    Which students are required to take the ELPAC?

    天美影视s with a primary language other than English, as determined by a home language survey, who have not taken the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) or ELPAC before and who have not been previously classified as an EL, must take the ELPAC Initial Assessment (IA).  天美影视s designated as ELs via the CELDT or ELPAC IA are required to take the ELPAC SA annually until they are reclassified as fluent English proficient.

    Do we test students in year one of a two year kindergarten program (frequently referred to as "transitional kindergarten")?

    Yes. 天美影视s 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 a 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.

    If a student takes the CELDT IA and is classified as an EL during the ELPAC Summative Assessment (SA) administration window, will the student be required to take the ELPAC SA as well?

    Yes, if a student takes the CELDT IA and is classified as an EL prior to May 31, 2018, the student will be required to take the ELPAC SA as well.


Additional Resources

  • For additional resources, such as understanding assessment scoring, visit the