English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC)

English Language Proficiency Assessment Requirements

By law, schools in California must give an English test to students whose first language is not English. This test is for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The goal is to see how well students are learning English. The test is called the ELPAC, which stands for English Language Proficiency Assessments for California.

The Initial ELPAC

The Initial ELPAC is a test given one time when a student first starts school in California. It helps the school know if the student needs help learning English or if they already speak English well. The decision to give this test is based on answers from the Home Language Survey, which families fill out when a student enrolls.

If you want more information, please see the Initial ELPAC Assessment Fact Sheet from the California Department of Education.

The Summative ELPAC

The Summative ELPAC is given every year to students who are learning English. It checks how well students are doing in four areas:

Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing

This test helps schools know if a student is ready to be considered Fluent in English.

If you want more information, you can look at the ELPAC fact sheets from the California Department of Education

Parent Guides to Understanding the ELPAC

Parents can read guides to help them understand the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). These guides explain what the ELPAC is and how it helps students learn English.

You can read the Parent Guide to Understanding the ELPAC in these languages:

You can also visit the website to find the guide in other languages.

These guides are helpful for parents who want to know more about how the ELPAC works and how to support their child’s English learning.