Each year, students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). When combined with other measures such as grades, class work, and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning.
Students will take the following tests, depending on their grade level or instructional program:
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts and math, required tests in grades 3–8 and 11
- California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for English language arts and math, required tests in grades 3–8 and 11 (indicated on student’s IEP)
- California Science Test (CAST), a required test in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school
- California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for Science, required tests in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school (indicated on student’s IEP)
- California Spanish Assessment (CSA), an optional test in grades 3–8 and high school
Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments.
Parents are an important part of their child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can:
- Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, they should not be anxious or scared, and we want them to try their best.
- Explore the practice tests with your child at caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.
Parents will receive their child’s results at or before the beginning of the next school year. The results will identify where your child is doing well or needs more help. To learn more about these tests go to the Starting Smarter web page at ca.startingsmarter.org, or review the Parent Guides to Understanding at cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.
If you have additional questions, please contact your child’s school.