California English Language Development Test (CELDT)
Students in kindergarten through grade twelve whose home language is not English are required by law to be assessed in English language proficiency (ELP). In California, the ELP assessment is the CELDT.
The CELDT allows schools to identify students who need to improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Schools also give the test each year to students who are still learning English.
- For more information about the CELDT, contact your local school district.
- The CELDT-CalEdFacts page provides a more detailed overview of the test.
- To learn more about the successor to the CELDT, visit the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) Web page for the latest information.
- The links and information below were developed for educators and others who are directly involved with the CELDT.
- CELDT Info
- Coordinators, Admins, & Teachers
- Students & Parents
- Researchers
- Translations
- Contact Info
CELDT Information
Education Code
The administration of an English language proficiency assessment is enforced by law.
English Language Development Standards
Regulations
CELDT regulations (DOC) were enacted in June 2005.
2014–15 CELDT Results
For school, district, county, or state results to the 2014–15 administration of the CELDT, visit the 2014–15 CELDT Test Results reporting Web site.
Educational Data Systems
For additional CELDT information, view the testing contractor’s CELDT Web page
.
Coordinators, Administrators, & Teachers
Assistance for local educational agencies (LEAs):
- 2015–16 CELDT Information Guide (PDF; 2MB)
Information: (1) for interpreting and using students’ CELDT results; (2) understanding the initial identification and reclassification processes; (3) communicating CELDT results to parents and guardians; and (4) about the assessment of English learners with disabilities. - CELDT 101: Regulations and Requirements (PDF)
An introduction to the CELDT through a PowerPoint presentation. - Test Site Coordinator Security Agreement (DOC)
- Test Security Affidavit for Examiners and Proctors (DOC)
- CELDT Score Request Form
A document for providing CELDT results to schools receiving English learner students. - CELDT Initial/Annual Scale Score Ranges
Scale Score Ranges for the CELDT. - Third Guidance Letter to Local Educational Agencies Regarding Reclassification
Accommodations
- Test Variations, Accommodations and Modifications for the CELDT Assessing Students with Disabilities
- Matrix Two
Matrix of Testing Variations, Accommodations, and Modifications for Administration of the California High School Exit Examination, California English Language Development Test, and the Physical Fitness Test.
Apportionment
Funding is provided to LEAs and charter schools to reimburse the costs associated with administering the CELDT. The amount apportioned per pupil per test is established by the State Board of Education (SBE).
- 2014–15 School Site Data Collection Form (DOC)
LEA/Charter School Use Only—Do Not Send to the California Department of Education (CDE).
- 2014–15 Directions
Use with the School Site Data Collection Form
- 2015–16 School Site Data Collection Form (DOC)
LEA/Charter School Use Only—Do Not Send to the CDE.
- 2015–16 Directions
Use with the School Site Data Collection Form.
Pre-Identification
The Pre-Identification or "Pre-ID" process is a service currently provided to LEAs to assist with the administration of statewide assessments.
- CELDT Pre-ID
Description of CELDT Pre-Identification services through the test vendor.
CELDT Frequently Asked Questions for District Coordinators
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about the CELDT.
CELDT Glossary
The CELDT Glossary provides common terms and acronyms related to the CELDT.
- CELDT Glossary (PDF)
Sample Letters and Parent/Guardian Information
To be used by school districts and schools:
- Sample Parent/Guardian Initial Identification Notification Letter (DOC)
For initial identification of English learners (for students identified as English learners) - Sample Parent/Guardian English Proficient Notification Letter (DOC)
For initial identification of English learners (for students identified as fluent English proficient) - Sample Parent/Guardian Not Yet Reached Proficiency Notification Letter (DOC)
For Annual Assessment Results (for English learners who have not yet reached proficiency in English) - Sample Parent/Guardian Reclassification Notification Letter (DOC)
For Annual Assessment results (for English learners being considered for reclassification) - Sample Parent/Guardian Alternate Assessment Notification Letter (DOC)
For Annual Assessment results (for English learners who took an alternate assessment) - Parent/Guardian Brochure (PDF)
Information for parents and guardians - Test Interpretation Guides
Information on interpreting the Student Performance Level Report and definitions of the Overall Test Performance Descriptors translated in several languages.
Educational Data Systems
For additional CELDT information, view the testing contractor’s CELDT Web page.
Students & Parents
Frequently Asked Questions
For answers to “What is the purpose of the CELDT?” and “Who must take the CELDT?” and other frequently asked questions (FAQs), please visit the CELDT FAQ Web page.
Released Test Questions
CELDT sample questions (i.e., released test questions)
- Released Test Questions (PDF)
These questions cover the four domains assessed by the CELDT: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
CELDT Fundamentals Videos
These four short videos provide basic CELDT information to parents, students, and local educational agency staff. To watch these videos in English and Spanish, view the testing contractor's CELDT Fundamentals Videos Web page
.
CELDT Glossary
The CELDT Glossary provides terms and acronyms commonly used to describe the administration of the CELDT.
- CELDT Glossary (PDF)
Educational Data Systems
For additional CELDT information, view the testing contractor’s CELDT Web page.
Researchers
CELDT Blueprints
- CELDT Blueprints Preface (DOC)
- CELDT Blueprints (DOC)
2014–15 CELDT Results
For school, district, county, or state results to the 2014–15 administration of the CELDT, visit the 2014–15 CELDT test results reporting Web site.
CELDT Initial/Annual Scale Score Ranges
CELDT Initial/Annual Scale Score Ranges
Item Alignment Report
CELDT Item Alignment to the 2012 English Language Development Standards Report (DOC)
CELDT Technical Documentation
CELDT Technical Documentation
Includes technical reports and a CELDT study.
Translations
Spanish Translations
- Muestra de una carta para padres de familia y tutores acera de la identificacion inicial de estudiantes de ingles como segunda lengua - Para estudiantes identificados como estudiantes de ingles como segunda lengua (DOC)
Sample Parent/Guardian Initial Identification Notification Letter
- Muestra de una carta para padress de familia y tutores acera de la identificacion inicial de estudiantes de ingles como segunda lengua - Para estudiantes identificados como estudiantes que dominan el ingles (DOC)
Sample Parent/Guardian English Proficient Notification Letter
- Muestra de una carta padres de familia y tutores de los resultados anuales de las pruebas para estudiantes de ingles como segunda lengua - Para estudiantes que aun no dominan el ingles (DOC)
Sample Parent/Guardian Not Yet Reached Proficiency Notification Letter
- Muestra de una carta para padres de familia y tutores de los resultados anuales de las pruebas para estudiantes de ingles como segunda lengua - Para estudiantes que son candidatos para ser reclassificados en su designacion como estudiantes que dominan el ingles (DOC)
Sample Parent/Guardian Reclassification Notification Letter
- Muestra de Carta Notificativa para Padres de Familia y Tutores Acerca de los Resultados de la Administracion Anual (para estudiantes de ingles como segunda lengua que realizaron una evaluacion alternative) (DOC)
Sample Parent/Guardian Notification Letter for Annual Assessment Results – English Learners Who Took an Alternative Assessment
- Prueba para Medir el Desarrollo del Inglés en California - Información para padres de familia y tutores (PDF)
CELDT Information for Parents and Guardians – Brochure
- Test Results Interpretation Guides
Information on interpreting the Student Performance Level Report and definitions of the Overall Test Performance Descriptors translated in several languages.
Other Translated Documents
To view more translated documents, visit the Clearinghouse for Multilingual Documents.Contact Information
For information regarding test blueprints, released test questions, scale score ranges, and planning for students with disabilities, contact:
California Department of Education
Assessment Development and Administration Division
English Language Proficiency Assessments Office
Telephone: 916-319-0784
E-mail: celdt@cde.ca.gov
For information regarding English Language Acquisition Program, teacher training, or community-based English tutoring, contact:
California Department of Education
English Learner Support Division
Language Policy and Leadership Office
Telephone: 916-319-0845
For information regarding new federal standards for data collection and reporting; race and ethnicity categories; or reports for accountability, testing and other data regarding English learners, contact:
California Department of Education
Data Management Division
CALPADS Operations Office
Telephone: 916-324-6738
E-mail: calpads@cde.ca.gov
or
California Department of Education
Educational Demographics Office
Telephone: 916-327-0219
Educational Data Systems
For additional CELDT information, view the testing contractor’s CELDT Web page.