California students take several mandated statewide tests. These tests provide parents/guardians, teachers, and educators with information about how well students are learning and becoming college and career ready. The test results may be used for local, state, and federal accountability purposes.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Assessments

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) computer adaptive assessments are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics tests are administered in grades three through eight and grade eleven to measure whether students are on track to college and career readiness. In grade eleven, results from the ELA and math assessments can be used as an indicator of college readiness.

California Science Tests (CAST)

The new, computer-based CAST measures student acquisition of the California Next Generation Science Standards. It is administered in grades five and eight, and once in high school. The new computer-based CAST replaces the California Standards Tests (CST) for Science.

California Alternate Assessments (CAA)

The computer-based CAA for ELA and CAA for mathematics is administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades three through eight and grade eleven. Test items are aligned with the CCSS and are based on the Core Content Connectors. The instructionally embedded CAA for Science is administered in grades five and eight, and once in high school.

Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) for Reading/Language Arts

California offers the optional STS for Reading/Language Arts, which are multiple-choice tests that allow Spanish-speaking English learners to demonstrate their knowledge of the California content standards. The California Spanish Assessment (CSA) will replace the optional STS. The CSA will be a computer-based assessment that is aligned with the California CCSS en Español.

Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California

California will transition from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) in 2017–18. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners and the other for the annual summative assessment to identify students’ English language proficiency level and to measure their progress in learning English.

Physical Fitness Test

The physical fitness test (PFT) for students in California schools is the FitnessGram^®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting lifelong habits of regular physical activity. Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test.

In our school district, we see these tests as an academic checkup. Like class assignments and report cards, they are only one gauge of student progress - one way to provide you and your child's teachers with information about your child's work toward the high goals we have set for our students. Parents should receive the official score reports prior to the start of the school year. You’ll notice that along with an overall score for each subject, there is also information about how your child performed in different areas associated with English language arts/literacy and mathematics.  These results are also being provided to your child's school, to help set learning goals for students this year.  If you have questions or concerns about your child's progress, please call the school office to arrange a conference with your child's teacher.

Parent guides to the reports can be found here on the California Department of Education website:

Understanding the CAASPP Student Score Reports