Each spring, learners in grades three through eight and high school participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).
This year, your child in grades three through eight and grade 11 will take the following test(s), depending on his or her grade level:
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in English language arts/literacy (grades three through eight and grade 11)
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in mathematics
- California is in the process of implementing the California Next Generation Science Standards. As part of that implementation, learners in grades five, eight and 12th grade will try out a new test called the California Science Test, or CAST.
The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments are online tests that measure what your child knows and is able to do. The tests include many different types of questions that allow learners to interact with the test questions. Results help identify gaps in knowledge or skills early on so your child can get the support he or she needs to be successful in school.
To learn more about either the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments or the CAST, go to the California Department of Education Parent Guides to Understanding Web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.
You can look at sample test questions on the practice tests, which can be found on the CAASPP Web Portal at http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html.
To alleviate some of the stress of taking the four assessments all in one week, this year, we’ve spread out the assessments to one per week (some of the upper grades may have two on one of the weeks.) Please note there have been changes to the schedule. For information on specific dates and times when your child will take the test are listed below:
How can I help my child get ready for the CAASPP?
- Talk about the test with your learner. Make sure they are not scared or anxious.
- Tell your child that you and his or her facilitator have high expectations and that you are both there to help, every step of the way.
- Take a practice test with your child.
- Encourage your learner to try their very best on the tests.
- Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.