The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is the required state test to measure English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English.* State and federal law require that schools administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student's level of ELP.

* When a new student enrolls in SUSD, the parent/guardian answers a set of state required questions called the Home Language Survey. If any language other than English is listed as the child's primary language, child's first language spoken, and/or the language primarily spoken by the adults in the home, then the student may take the ELPAC. Or if the student transfers from another California public school, then his/her English Learner status is carried over. The ELPAC is typically given during the regular school day. If a student is designated to take the ELPAC, a notification letter is sent home to the parent/guardian using the address on file.