State Testing (CAASP)
Each spring, students in grades three through eight and high school participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). This year, your child will take the following test(s), depending on their grade level:
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in English language arts/literacy and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven
- California Science Test (CAST) in grades five, eight and once in high school
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 students 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.
There are opportunities open to students who take the CAASPP and achieve a Met or Exceeded score on the ELA/Math or Science sections. These opportunities can include, but are not limited to, qualifying for the State Seal of Biliteracy for students taking a World Language and The Golden State Seal of Merit Diploma. In addition, the California State University System and participating California Community Colleges accept the CAASPP test for college-level written communication/English or Math courses without additional testing. Lastly, the CAASPP test is also part of the reclassification for English Language Learners.
This year, your child's Student Score Report will be available in the Parent Portal (follow link for instructions to create an account).
To learn more about either the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments or the CAST, visit the California Department of Education Parent Guides to Understanding. You can look at sample test questions on the practice tests, which can be found on the CAASPP Web Portal. For information on specific dates and times when your child will take the test in each subject, please contact your school office.
How to Help Your Child Prepare for the CAASPP
You are an important part of your child's education. Some things you can do to help your child are:
- Talk about the test with your child. Make sure they are not scared or anxious.
- Tell your child that you and his/her teacher have high expectations and that you are both there to help, every step of the way.
- Take a practice test with your child.
- Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.
Practice Tests & Parent Guide
|
Grades |
ELA CAT |
ELA PT |
Math CAT |
Math PT |
Calif. Science Test |
Total Testing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3-4 |
0:45 |
2:00 |
0:45 |
1:00 |
n/a |
4:30 |
|
5 |
0:45 |
2:00 |
0:45 |
1:00 |
2:00 |
6:30 |
|
6-7 |
0:45 |
2:00 |
1:00 |
1:00 |
n/a |
4:45 |
|
8 |
0:45 |
2:00 |
1:00 |
1:00 |
2:00 |
6:45 |
|
11 |
1:00 |
2:00 |
1:00 |
1:30 |
2:00 |
7:30 |
|
12 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
2:00 |
2:00 |