Response to Legal Assistant Today Regarding the Curriculum-Based Online Assessment Program
By Hazel Lange, CP
November, 2005

The CACPS Board is working with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) to transition the California Advanced Specialty examination (CAS) into a Curriculum Based-Online Assessment Program similar to NALA’s advanced specialty examination. We are in the preliminary process of developing the modules. Therefore, I will try to answer your questions with the information that is available at this time. Please be advised that the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) does administer the CAS program but merely promotes the program on behalf of CACPS.

When do you think the new program will begin?

CACPS anticipates that the new program will begin in late 2006. NALA will administer the CAS program.

Is the designation going to be CASP?

No. The California Specialty Examination is referred to as the CAS examination. At this time, CACPS anticipates that the designation will not change.

What are the subspecialty areas going to be?

In civil litigation, CACPS will establish subspecialties in personal injury, construction defect, business litigation, environmental litigation and employment law. In the trusts and estates area of law, CACPS will establish subspecialties in probate administration, trust administration and estate planning, conservatorships, and guardianships. In the corporate business law area, CACPS will establish subspecialties in business transactions, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and business organizations.

How will the program work?

The Curriculum-Based Online Assessment Program for the CAS will be broken into sub-specialties for a particular area of law. Each subspecialty will be broken down into modules. The paralegal will be able to study a course of materials online for each subspecialty and take an assessment at the end of each module. If the paralegal successfully completes that module, the paralegal will move to the next module until the course work is completed. You must achieve 90% on all modules. If a paralegal does not pass the assessment for a module, there will be an opportunity to go back and reinforce learning and re-take the module. Many of the resources will be available online such as links to statutes, sample forms, illustrations, charts and references to other resources. Once the paralegal completes and passes all of the modules, that paralegal will have earned the credential for the California Advanced Specialist (CAS) designation.

Can you tell me what CAPA hopes to achieve with the new format?

CACPS, not CAPA, hopes to achieve the following:

• Provide paralegals with a wide distribution of high-quality training and specialty credentialing opportunities.
• Provide a learning environment for individuals who might not be able to attend specific live training sessions.
• Establish a self-directed program so paralegals can control their own professional development and the flow of information available to them.
• Provide experienced paralegals an opportunity to confirm knowledge and delve more deeply into specific subject-matter knowledge.
• Provide paralegals an opportunity to try a new specialty area and to develop additional skills through education.

Can paralegals interested in the CAS still take the examination or do they need to wait for the new program?

The pencil/paper California Advanced Specialty examination (CAS) previously given NALA has been suspended. The last examination was given by NALA in July, 2005. California paralegals will now have to wait for the new program.