Testing and Accountability

The CAASPP is California's statewide student assessment system and encompasses the following assessments and student participation requirements.

• Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics - students in grades 3 - 8 and 11
• California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and mathematics - students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3 - 8 and 11
• California Science Test (CAST) - students in grades 5, 8, and once in high school
• California Alternate Assessment [CAA] for Science - students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 5, 8, and once in high school
• California Spanish Assessment (CSA) for Spanish language arts - optional for students in grades 3 - 8 and high school

Resources

• Practice tests for CAASPP - click the green Sign In button at the bottom of the page and then select a grade level to begin
• CAASPP Resources for Parents - one-page document about the CAASPP
• A Parent Guide to Understanding the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments - two-page document about Smarter Balanced assessments that are part of the CAASPP for grades 3-8 and 11 (English | Español)
• A Parent Guide to Understanding the California Science Test (CAST) - two page document about the science tests that are part of the CAASPP for grades 5, 8, and high school (English | Español)
• A Parent Guide to Understanding the California Alternate Assessments - two-page document about alternate CAASPP assessments for students with severe cognitive disabilities (English | Español)
• California Department of Education CAASPP Website - program overview, resources, communication materials, test administration information, and scores and results reporting

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is the successor to the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). Beginning in 2017-18, the ELPAC is the required state test for English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English.

State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten (or year one of a two-year kindergarten program, sometimes referred to as “transitional kindergarten”) through grade twelve (ages 3-21). The ELPAC is aligned with California’s 2012 English Language Development Standards, and is comprised of two separate ELP assessments:

1. Initial ELPAC - an initial identification of students as English learners
2. Summative ELPAC - an annual summative assessment administered each spring to measure an English learner's progress in learning English and to identify the student's ELP level
3. Alternate ELPAC -  an annual assessment intended only for students who have a significant cognitive disability and whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) team has decided that the student should take alternate assessments, in addition to being identified as an EL or potential EL. 

For additional information or support regarding the ELPAC, please see the resources below or contact your child's school.

Resources

• Starting Smarter for the ELPAC (English | Español)
• Video: Introduction to Initial ELPAC for Parents (English | Español) 
• Video: Introduction to Alternate ELPAC for Parents (English | Español) 

The Early Assessment Program is one of the multiple measures the California State University (CSU) utilizes to assess grade eleven students' readiness for college-level coursework.

The Early Assessment Program (EAP) is designed to provide students with an early signal of college academic preparation through California Assessments of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP/EAP) results. CAASPP/EAP scores are ONE of the multiple measures the CSU utilizes as an indicator of students’ readiness for college-level coursework in English and mathematics and for placement of first-time freshman in the appropriate General Education (GE) English and mathematics courses once they enroll at the CSU.

Visit https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/eapindex.asp for more information.

The California Physical Fitness Test (PFT) provides information that can be used by (1) students to assess and plan personal fitness programs, (2) teachers to design the curriculum for physical education programs, and (3) parents and guardians to understand their children’s fitness levels. This program also provides results that are used to monitor changes in the physical fitness of California students. By law (California Education Code Section 60800), all school districts in California are required to administer the PFT annually to all students in grades five, seven, and nine whether or not they are enrolled in a physical education class or participate in a block schedule. Students who are physically unable to participate in the entire PFT should complete as many of the tests as possible. The designated testing window for administering the PFT is February 1 through May 1.

The State Board of Education (SBE) designated the FITNESSGRAM® as the PFT for students in California public schools. The FITNESSGRAM® is a comprehensive, health-related physical fitness battery developed by The Cooper Institute. The primary goal of the FITNESSGRAM® is to assist students in establishing lifetime habits of regular physical activity.

The FITNESSGRAM® is composed of the following six fitness areas:

• Aerobic Capacity
• Body Composition
• Abdominal Strength and Endurance
• Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility
• Upper Body Strength and Endurance
• Flexibility

Parents or guardians desiring more information about the PFT or their student’s results on the PFT should contact their student’s teacher and/or school office.

Resources

• California Department of Education PFT Resources

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides important information about student achievement and learning experiences in various subjects. Also known as The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP has provided meaningful results to improve education policy and practice since 1969. Results are available for the nation, states, and 27 urban districts.