State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Reports More Than
Two-Thirds of California's Eligible Students
Have Begun CAASPP Testing

SACRAMENTO—Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that more than two-thirds of the 3.3 million eligible California students have begun taking the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), the state's computer-based, online assessments given in grades three through eight and eleven.

As of Monday, May 9, 2.4 million students statewide have started a summative assessment in English language arts/literacy or mathematics. More than 1,500 local educational agencies have begun testing with more than 1.9 million summative tests completed. Testing reached its record peak May 3 when 350,606 students were testing simultaneously.

"We've reached the home stretch, and I couldn't be more pleased with our progress toward our goal of providing school districts, teachers, and parents with results they can use to help improve teaching and learning," said Torlakson. "I commend all of our students, teachers, parents, administrators, and staff at the California Department of Education for their efficient administration of this important, second year of CAASPP testing."

California moved to new, online, computer-adaptive assessments last year based on more rigorous academic standards in the classroom, part of a comprehensive plan to give every student the opportunity to graduate ready for college and to pursue a career.

The CAASPP assessments ask students to demonstrate the kinds of abilities they will need to do well in college and the 21^st century workplace—including analytical writing, critical thinking, and problem solving.

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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100