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 Year One of the California Learning Assessment System. The second section presents the scoring guide for reading, 10 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 six sample student papers for each of the two types of writing assessed in Spring 1993: 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)