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Paul Rose
Each year, California students take several statewide tests. 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.
You can use the results to identify where your child is doing well and where they might need more support.
Your child may be taking one or more of the following California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
(CAASPP), English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC), and Physical Fitness Test assessments.
Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents and guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments. This exemption does not exist for the ELPAC or Physical Fitness Test. Your school site principal will inform you of the specific testing schedule at your site. If you have any questions, please ask your school principal.
CAASPP
Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Math
Who takes these tests? Students in grades 3–8 and grade 11 take these tests.
What is the test format? The Smarter Balanced assessments are computer-based.
Which standards are tested? The California Common Core State Standards.
California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and Math
Who takes these tests? Students whose individualized education program (IEP) identifies the use of
alternate assessments take the CAAs for ELA and Math in grades 3–8 and grade 11.
What is the test format? The CAAs for ELA and Math are computer-based tests that are administered
one-on-one by a test examiner who is familiar with the student.
Which standards are tested? Alternate achievement standards called the Core Content Connectors
derived from the California Common Core State Standards.
California Science Test (CAST)
Who takes the test? Students take the CAST in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school, either in grade
10, 11, or 12.
What is the test format? The CAST is computer-based.
Which standards are tested? The California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS).
California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science
Who takes the test? Students whose IEP identifies the use of an alternate assessment take the CAA for
Science in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school, either in grade 10, 11, or 12.
What is the test format? The CAA for Science is a computer-based series of four embedded
performance tasks. The test is administered one-on-one by a test examiner who is familiar with the
student shortly after the science content is taught.
Which standards are tested? Alternate achievement standards called the Core Content Connectors
derived from the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS)
California Spanish Assessment (CSA)
Who takes the test? The CSA is an optional test for students in grades 3–12 that tests their Spanish
reading, listening, and writing mechanics.
What is the test format? The CSA is computer-based.
Which standards are tested? The California Common Core State Standards en Español.
ELPAC
Initial ELPAC
Who takes the test? Students who have a home language survey that lists a language other than English
will take the Initial test, which identifies students as an English learner student or as initially fluent in
English.
What is the test format? The Initial ELPAC is computer-based.
Which standards are tested? The 2012 California English Language Development Standards.
Summative ELPAC
Who takes the test? Students who are classified as English learner students will take the Summative
ELPAC every year until they are reclassified as proficient in English.
What is the test format? The Summative ELPAC is computer-based.
Which standards are tested? The 2012 California English Language Development Standards.
Initial Alternate ELPAC
Who takes the test? Students whose IEP identifies the use of an alternate assessment and who have a
home language survey that lists a language other than English will take the Alternate Initial ELPAC, which
identifies students as an English learner student or as initially fluent in English.
What is the test format? The Initial Alternate ELPAC is computer-based.
Which standards are tested? Alternate English Language Development (ELD) Connectors derived from
the 2012 California English Language Development Standards.
Summative Alternate ELPAC
Who takes the test? Students whose IEP identifies the use of an alternate assessment and who are
classified as English learner students will take the Alternate Summative ELPAC every year until they are
reclassified as proficient in English.
What is the test format? The Summative Alternate ELPAC is computer-based.
Which standards are tested? Alternate ELD Connectors derived from the 2012 California English
Language Development Standards.
Physical Fitness Test
Who takes the test? Students in grades 5, 7, and 9 will take the FITNESSGRAM®, which is the test used
in California.
What is the test format? The test consists of five performance components: aerobic capacity, abdominal
strength, trunk strength, upper body strength, and flexibility.
What is Reported? Student participation (by component, by grade level) shall be reported in the local
educational agency’s Student Accountability Report Card.
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