[CA] Summer ELAS Reporting

CALPADS Flash #279 explained how LEAs could prepare for summer ELAS reporting before the 2024–25 school year.

The Flash encouraged LEAs to assess eligible incoming kindergarten students during July and August. This early work helped schools identify English learners and plan services before the first day of school.

The dates and code changes in Flash #279 are now historical. However, the workflow still offers useful guidance for managing pre-enrollment, assessment, and student data. Always use current CALPADS documentation and ELPAC guidance for live reporting.

Assess Eligible Kindergarten Students Early

LEAs must assess new students within 30 calendar days of enrollment when the Home Language Survey indicates a need for assessment.

During the 2024 summer window, CDE encouraged LEAs to assess incoming kindergarten students who had not completed the Initial ELPAC or Initial Alternate ELPAC.

Early assessment gave staff time to plan English learner services. In addition, it reduced testing pressure at the start of the school year.

Before testing a student, check CALPADS first. A student may already have an SSID and an English Language Acquisition Status, or ELAS. This review prevents duplicate SSIDs and unnecessary testing.

Do Not Assess Transitional Kindergarten Students

Flash #279 reminded LEAs not to assess incoming Transitional Kindergarten students with the Initial ELPAC or Initial Alternate ELPAC.

Assembly Bill 2268 exempted TK students from both the initial and summative ELPAC assessments. Therefore, accurate grade reporting became especially important.

LEAs should report Transitional Kindergarten students with the grade level code TK, not KN. If a team reports a TK student as kindergarten, the student may appear in TOMS as needing an assessment.

Follow the Pre-Enrollment Process

LEAs needed to pre-enroll students in CALPADS before assessing them during the summer.

For the 2024 process, LEAs used the expected first day of school as the Enrollment Start Date. They also submitted a SELA record with an ELAS of TBD and a primary language other than English.

After the student completed the assessment, TOMS sent the ELAS result to CALPADS. Then, LEAs needed to update their local SIS using the SELA Operational Data Store Extract.

Finally, if a tested student did not enroll in the fall, the LEA needed to exit the student with exit code N470. This prevented the student from appearing later as needing a summative ELPAC assessment.

Review Sign-Language Records Carefully

Flash #279 also explained that American Sign Language and other sign languages require different reporting decisions.

For the 2024 guidance, LEAs reported students whose primary language was American Sign Language as English Only. Students who used another sign language received an ELAS of TBD and could take the Initial ELPAC, when appropriate.

CDE later implemented a separate American Sign Language code. Therefore, LEAs should use the current CALPADS language-code set and ELPAC guidance instead of relying on the 2024 code combinations.

Build a Reliable Summer Process

A strong summer process connects enrollment, assessment, multilingual-program, and SIS staff.

First, identify which students need assessment. Next, confirm SSID and ELAS information before creating records. Then, update local systems after results post to CALPADS.

This coordination helps schools start the year with accurate records and timely student support.

For the original guidance, review CALPADS Update Flash #279.

MeasureED provides CALPADS support services for LEAs that need help with student-data processes, validations, and reporting workflows. Learn more about MeasureED’s CALPADS support or contact our team.