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Understanding Summative ELPAC Summary Reports

Test Results Definitions

Number Enrolled—A count of students in the selected entity (i.e., state, county, district, school, or student group) who were eligible (classified as an English learner during the testing window) to take the Summative ELPAC.

Number Tested—A count of students in the selected entity (i.e., state, county, district, school, or student group) who were administered the Summative ELPAC.

Number Tested with Scores—A count of students with valid scores in the selected entity (i.e., state, county, district, school, or student group) who were administered the Summative ELPAC.

Mean Scale Score (Overall)—The sum of scale scores for students with scores in the selected entity (i.e., state, county, district, school, or student group) divided by the Number of Tests with Scores.

Mean Scale Score (Oral Language)—The sum of scale scores for students with scores in the selected entity (i.e., state, county, district, school, or student group) divided by the Number of Tests with Scores.

Mean Scale Score (Written Language)—The sum of scale scores for students with scores in the selected entity (i.e., state, county, district, school, or student group) divided by the Number of Tests with Scores.

Note: The percent of students in the selected entity (i.e., state, county, district, school, or student group) at a particular performance level is the sum of the number of students at a particular performance level divided by the total number of students across all performance levels for that entity.

Note: Scores for 2018–19 should not be compared to scores from previous years as the thresholds have changed and the scores are not comparable.

English Learners Time in Program

Definition of English Learner Time in Program where Current Year = 2023

GroupDescription
English Learner Less Than 1 Year All EL students with EL Entry Date between July 1st of the Current Year Minus 1 and June 30th of the Current Year
English Learner 1 Year All EL students with EL Entry Date between July 1st of the Current Year Minus 2 and June 30th of the Current Year Minus 1
English Learner 2 Years All EL students with EL Entry Date between July 1st of the Current Year Minus 3 and June 30th of the Current Year Minus 2
English Learner 3 Years All EL students with EL Entry Date between July 1st of the Current Year Minus 4 and June 30th of the Current Year Minus 3
English Learner 4 Years All EL students with EL Entry Date between July 1st of the Current Year Minus 5 and June 30th of the Current Year Minus 4
English Learner 5 Years All EL students with EL Entry Date between July 1st of the Current Year Minus 6 and June 30th of the Current Year Minus 5
English Learner 6 or more Years All EL students with EL Entry Date before July 1st of the Current Year Minus 6

Reporting Level Descriptors

LevelDescription
Level 4 Students at this level have well developed English skills.
  • They can usually use English to learn new things in school and to interact in social situations.
  • They may occasionally need help using English.
Level 3 Students at this level have moderately developed English skills.
  • They can sometimes use English to learn new things in school and to interact in social situations.
  • They may need help using English to communicate on less-familiar school topics and in less-familiar social situations.
Level 2 Students at this level have somewhat developed English skills.
  • They usually need help using English to learn new things at school and to interact in social situations.
  • They can often use English for simple communication.
Level 1 Students at this level are at a beginning stage of developing English skills.
  • They usually need substantial help using English to learn new things at school and to interact in social situations.
  • They may know some English words and phrases.

For more information, please visit Summative ELPAC Performance Level Descriptors (PDF) document.

California Department of Education 1430 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814