CELDT: California English Language Development Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CELDT?

CELDT is a state mandated test that school districts are required to administer to students whose home language is not English. The parent/guardian or adult student identifies their home language in the Language Survey section of the Student Enrollment Application. If any of the three questions are answered with a language other than English, the CELDT test must be administered. The purpose of CEDLT is to identify students who are English Learners in Kindergarten through grade 12, to monitor their progress in learning English, and to document their English proficiency.

Who must take the CELDT?

All students whose home language is not English must take the test within 30 calendar days after they are enrolled in a California public school. The CELDT must be given once each year to English Learners until they score proficient in English.

Where is the home language identified?

The parent/guardian or adult student identifies their home language in the Language Survey section of the Student Enrollment Application. If any of the following three questions are answered with a language other than English, the CELDT test must be administered.

1. What language did your child first learn to speak?

2. Which language does your child most frequently use at home?

3. Which language do you most frequently speak to your child?

What does the CELDT cover?

The CELDT covers listening and speaking skills for students in Kindergarten and grade 1. The test for students in grades 2 through 12 covers listening/speaking, reading, and writing skills. A blueprint of the exam is available online at the following link: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/el/resources.asp

Who administers the CELDT?

An Education Specialist from your school will contact the parent/student and make arrangements to administer the test.

(SSCS provides trained staff to contact the student/parent to make location
arrangements and administer the CELDT.)

How long does it take for students to complete the CELDT?

The CELDT test takes approximately 2 hours for your student to complete.

How are the CELDT results scored?

There are five levels of proficiency a student can achieve. They are:

• Beginning
• Early intermediate
• Intermediate
• Early advanced
• Advanced

The report for each student provides:

• A proficiency level for each section of the test
• An overall English proficiency level

How are results of the CELDT used?

Initial test results for newly-enrolled students are used to help identify English Learners who need to develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English. Annual CELDT results are used to assess the student’s progress towards English proficiency.