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ELAC leaders tell parents SBAC testing window is May 5–23; alternate assessments available for some students
Summary
Community of Multilingual Families (ELAC) leaders reviewed statewide testing dates and which students take which assessments, and encouraged parents to use practice resources and support strategies to reduce student anxiety.
Leaders of the Community of Multilingual Families parent group told attending parents that Smarter Balanced (SBAC) testing for English language arts and math will take place districtwide in a May 5–23 testing window, and that fifth- and eighth-grade students will also take the California science test.
The announcement matters because the tests affect all third- through eighth-grade students in the district and require preparation and accommodations for students with individualized education programs (IEPs). ELAC members urged parents to use district and state practice resources and to help children feel calm and rested on test days.
At the meeting, Lydia Castro, ELAC president, opened the discussion by saying "SBAC is coming" and laid out the testing span for the district. A community liaison confirmed the May 5–23 window applies districtwide and clarified that third through eighth graders take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment for English language arts and mathematics. "Fifth and eighth grade will take the science test," a liaison added when the group discussed science testing for the designated grades.
Speakers also described alternatives for students with significant cognitive disabilities. One presenter noted that students who meet alternate-assessment criteria through an IEP team may take the California Alternate Assessment (referred to in the meeting as the CAH/California Alternate Assessment) instead of SBAC, and that such students who take alternate ELPAC typically take the California Alternate Assessment for science as well. The group said qualification for the alternate ELPAC is determined during a student's IEP meeting.
ELAC officers and parents discussed practical steps families can take to prepare children: review practice tests available online (meeting materials referenced a practice site), ensure a good night's sleep, provide a nutritious breakfast, and use short, positive affirmations to lower test anxiety. "Tell your children that you and their teachers are both there to help," Lydia Castro said, urging a community approach to readiness.
No formal district policy or vote was taken at the meeting on testing schedules or accommodations; the discussion consisted of reminders and parent guidance. ELAC officers said schools will share practice links and that community liaisons can provide additional resources to parents who request them.
Parents and ELAC members asked for outreach about test dates and accommodations in upcoming school communications and for help understanding whether their child should be administered an alternate assessment. ELAC officers said they would include testing reminders and practice resources in upcoming school messages and at open-house events.
The meeting closed this topic with reminders to check school communications and the district's ELAC contacts for details about practice tests and the IEP-based process for alternate assessments.
