Brief Explanation:

The California English Language Development Test (CELDT) will be first administered for the purposes of initial identification and reclassification of English Learners (ELs) beginning in November 2001. CELDT materials for these purposes have been ordered for each school based on a projection of the quantities, by grade level, needed for the entire 2001-2002 school year. These materials will remain on site and be used as needed through the school year. These materials will be shipped to each school during the week of May 7. Please do not open or distribute these materials. Have them stored in a secure location, under the care of a staff member who will be at your site in the fall of 2001.

Specific information relative to the processing of the CELDT materials for initial identification and reclassification will be provided at a later date.

The California Department of Education has recently adopted a new test of English proficiency titled: California English Language Development Test (CELDT). Beginning with the fall 2001 school year, the CELDT will be administered to each English Learner for three specific purposes:

1. Initial Identification of English Learners (replacing the current Idea Proficiency Test [IPT] English assessment)

2. Reclassification of English Learners to fluent English Proficient (replacing the IPT English and Language Assessment Scale [LAS])

3. Annual Assessment of English learners to measure growth in English language proficiency.

The CELDT will first be administered for the annual assessment during an August - October 2001 testing window. Beginning in November 2001 through the end of the school year, the test will be administered to newly-enrolled students for the purpose of initial identification, and to students being considered for redesignation.

This circular provides information relative to the receipt of the CELDT materials used for initial identification and reclassification for the 2001-2002 school year. Specific information relative to the processing of these CELDT materials will be provided at a later date.

The testing office, in cooperation with the Biliteracy and English Learner Support Department, has scheduled "Nuts and Bolts" workshops that will more fully describe the operational and logistical aspects of administering and processing the CELDT. The Nuts and Bolts workshops have been scheduled as follows:

Elementary CELDT Nuts and Bolts:
May 22 (A-L), 3:30 - 5:30, Birney Auditorium
May 23, (K-Z), 3 - 5, Birney Auditorium

Secondary CELDT Nuts and Bolts: 
May 29, 2:30 - 4:30, Birney Auditorium

The "Nuts and Bolts" training is intended to inform site testing coordinators of the procedural issues surrounding the administration of the CELDT and will NOT qualify participants to administer the CELDT. The Biliteracy and English Learner Support Department will schedule training sessions to administer the CELDT beginning in late spring/early summer.

Because this is a new, state-mandated test that must be administered and processed as required by law, it is very important that all site administrators, testing coordinators, and staff administering the CELDT attend any informational meetings and/or test administration trainings. Pre-planning and coordination will be required to successfully administer this test at each school site. Only qualified staff who have been fully trained may administer the CELDT.

CELDT materials for the purposes of initial identification and reclassification have been ordered for each school based on a projection of the quantities, by grade level, needed for the entire 2001-2002 school year. These materials will remain on site and be used as needed through the school year for initial identification and reclassification. These materials will be shipped to each school during the week of May 7. These materials are intended for site use AFTER the fall annual assessment window. Please do not open or distribute these materials. Have them stored in a secure location, under the care of a staff member who will be at your site in the fall of 2001. In early August, you will receive additional materials for the fall annual assessment.

Specific information relative to the ordering, shipping, and processing of the CELDT for the fall 2001 Annual Assessment administration will be provided at a later date.