Assessment Spotlight, Issue 67

Focusing on the CAASPP System and English Language Proficiency Assessments of California (ELPAC)—and including, when timely, updates on California’s other statewide assessments.

Updated Science Web Pages with Links to New Resources

We are happy to announce that the following science web pages on the California Department of Education (CDE) website have been updated for the 2019–20 school year:

• California Science Test (CAST) web page, with updated information about high school student eligibility and assessment timelines
  
  
• California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science web page, with updated links to access the CAA for Science practice and training tests and the CAA Test Examiner Tutorial
  
  
• Alternate Assessment Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team Guidance web page, now with recommendations about when to administer the CAA for Science embedded performance tasks for high school students

Be sure to check out these web pages to find the latest information and resources on science testing!

New from the Winners of the “Science! It’s Elementary” Contest: Elementary Science Resources

Five winners of the “Science! It’s Elementary” contest were announced last week at the California Assessment Conference in Oakland. The winning resources, which can be found on the CDE CAST web page under “Resources and Communication Materials,” are as follows:

• The Amazing Laundry Basket Race (PDF), by Kristen Peckham, highlights the science of “pushes and pulls” with an investigation into K-PS2-1.
  
  
• Forces and Motion Are Affected by Objects Around Them (PDF), by Joann Ormonde, engages students with an inquiry into ramps, rolling objects, and friction. This resource addresses K-PS2-1 and K-PS2-2.
  
  
• Sound Is Everywhere (PDF), by Jillian Torres, makes use of the 5E model, beginning with an engaging campus Sound Walk! This lesson pairs writing, speaking, and listening with 1‑PS4-1.
  
  
• Sun-Sational Observations (PDF), by Celia de la Loza, investigates the wonder statement, “Iwonder how the sun moves?” This resource addresses 1-ESS1-1.
  
  
• System in a Bottle (PDF), by Jennifer Munoz, helps students learn about ecosystems. This investigation addresses 5-LS2-1 and incorporates California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts !

We encourage you to explore these innovative science resources and consider them for use in your elementary classroom!

Please share this email with any educators in your local educational agency who would be interested in or benefit from this information. To join the email list, send a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. Are you a new subscriber? Visit the CDE Assessment Spotlight web page to find previous issues.