The initial ELPAC assessment is taken once in a student’s academic career when an eligible student enrolls in a California public school for the first time. 

• Kindergarten through 12th grade, excluding Transitional Kindergarten.

The testing window for the initial ELPAC is open throughout the school year from July 1 through June 30. School districts may begin administering initial assessments to incoming students before the first day of school. 

• VUSD typically administers tests two weeks prior to the first day of school, pauses the first few days after the first day of school to give students time to settle into their new routine, and then resumes until all testing is complete.

Student Score Reports (SSRs) are usually available within 24 hours from the time all 4 test domains are submitted and scored. 

• Parents/guardians are notified of their student’s test results and instructional program placement in writing within 30 calendar days. A student’s overall ELPAC proficiency level will determine their language acquisition designation – Multilingual Learner (ML) or Initial Fluent English Proficient (IFEP). 

Multilingual Learner (ML) students are placed in an appropriate instructional program and may be assigned additional English Language Development support. ML students are assessed annually with the summative ELPAC to monitor their progress in English language proficiency until they are Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP). Once reclassified (RFEP), students are monitored for 4 years but are no longer required to take the ELPAC test. 

Initial Fluent English Proficient (IFEP) students already possess a designation of proficient and therefore require no further ELPAC testing. 
 

Special Education students in Moderate/Severe programs who are unable to demonstrate their English Language abilities through the general ELPAC due to their qualifying condition(s) may now be assigned the Alternate ELPAC by their IEP teams. The initial Alternate ELPAC is new as of the 2022-2023 school year. 

Students should do their best when taking the ELPAC. Re-testing is not allowed, so it is important to help prepare your student ahead of the test date. We highly recommend that you visit the ELPAC Starting Smarter website to review sample test questions on the practice tests. Additionally, you can take practice tests of each domain through the ELPAC website. 

Test Prep and Practice:             Starting Smarter              
                                                           Practice Tests

A teacher or parent/guardian may contest the outcome of an initial assessment before their student takes the Summative ELPAC.

Click here to learn about the Correction of Classification process.

• ELPAC Accessibility Resources
• California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix 
• Alternate ELPAC Accessibility and Accommodations Guidelines 
• Virtual Training Series 
• Student Accessibility Checklist

A teacher or parent/guardian may contest the outcome of an initial assessment before their student takes the Summative ELPAC.