This sampler discusses California's English-language arts assessment program and presents examples of elementary school reading assessments, writing assessments, and writing prompts. The first section of the sampler takes an integrated look at the changes which make up the new English-language arts assessment. The second section presents the scoring guide for reading, three student responses to a sample elementary reading prompt, and commentary on each student response using the criteria in the scoring guide. The third section of the sampler offers scoring guides and sample student papers for the two types of writing assessed in the 1992-1993 transition-year assessment: expressive writing and persuasive writing. The fourth section presents a writing prompt: an excerpt from a story with directions for students to write about their reading; guidelines for students on working in small groups to discuss the story; and a writing assignment based on the short story. (RS)