CAASPP California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress

CAASPP is the state's academic testing system. It reports how students are doing against California's content standards in English language arts, mathematics, and science. The tests are taken on a computer, which lets students interact with questions in different ways. In math, for example, a student might drag and drop items on the screen or draw a graph to solve a problem.

• Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments English language arts and mathematics. Grades 3 through 8 and grade 11. March 22 – May 26.
• California Science Test (CAST) Grades 5 and 8, and once in high school.
• California Alternate Assessments (CAA) ELA, mathematics, and science, for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose IEP designates an alternate assessment. March 22 – May 26.
• Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments Given by teachers during the year to check progress ahead of the summative tests.

ELPAC English Language Proficiency Assessments for California

ELPAC determines the English proficiency of students whose primary language is not English. It is aligned to the 2012 California English Language Development Standards and assesses four domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It is taken on a computer in grades 3 through 12, and in kindergarten through grade 2 in every domain except writing, which is on paper. In kindergarten through grade 2 the domains are given one student at a time, apart from grade 2 writing, which may be given in small groups.

• Initial ELPAC Given once to students in kindergarten through grade 12 whose primary language is not English, to determine their English proficiency status on first entering California schools. Identifying students who need help learning English early means they get that support while learning every other subject. Within 30 days of enrollment, ongoing from July 30.
• Summative ELPAC Given each year to students identified as English learners, until they are reclassified as fluent English proficient. It measures progress toward English proficiency, informs English learner programs and services, and helps determine whether a student is ready to be reclassified. February 1 – May 26.
• Alternate ELPAC For English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose IEP designates an alternate assessment. February 1 – May 26.

Physical Fitness Test PFT

The PFT uses FITNESSGRAM, adopted by California in 1996, to measure student fitness across five areas: aerobic capacity, abdominal strength and endurance, trunk extensor strength and flexibility, upper body strength and endurance, and flexibility. Students receive raw scores, such as the number of curl-ups completed or their mile time. Teachers also record whether each student took part in each exercise, and that participation rate is reported on the School Accountability Report Card. Testing can be spread over several days, and students are given their individual results orally or in writing once they finish.

Students with disabilities take the PFT. Most fitness areas have two or three approved test options, so every student has a way to take part, and students are given as much of the test as their condition allows.

• Mile Run Aerobic capacity.
• Curl-Ups Abdominal strength and endurance.
• Trunk Lift Trunk extensor strength and flexibility.
• Push-Ups Upper body strength and endurance.
• Shoulder Stretch Flexibility.