California Assessment System
List of the tests for the California Assessment System for students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12).Legend
CBT: Computer Based Test | CR: Constructed Response | MC: Multiple Choice | PA: Performance Assessment
PT: Performance Task | SR: Selected Response | TE: Technology Enhanced
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)
| Test | Content | Format | Type | Participants | Grades | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments | English language arts/literacy (ELA) and Mathematics | Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) and PT | CR MC PT SR TE | All students at designated grade levels Exceptions: • Eligible students participating in the California Alternate Assessments (CAA) • ELA only—English learners who are in their first 12 months of attending school in the United States |
3–8 and 11 | Local educational agencies (LEAs) may select their own local testing window which must:
|
| California Science Test | Science | CBT | CR MC PT SR TE |
All students in designated grade levels Exceptions: • Eligible students participating in the CAA for Science |
5 and 8, and once in grade 10, 11, or 12 | LEAs may select their own local testing window which must:
|
| California Spanish Assessment | Reading and Language Arts in Spanish | CBT | MC SR TE | Students seeking a measure of their Spanish Reading/Language arts skills | 3–8 and high school | LEAs may select their own local testing window which must:
|
| California Alternate Assessments | ELA and Mathematics | CBT | CR MC SR TE | Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose active individualized educational program (IEP) designates the use of an alternate assessment | 3–8 and 11 | LEAs may select their own local testing window which must:
|
| California Alternate Assessment | Science | PT and CBT | MC PT SR TE | Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose active IEP designates the use of an alternate assessment | 5 and 8, and once in grade 10, 11, or 12 | September 19, 2023, through last day of instruction or July 15, 2024, whichever comes first. |
| Interim Assessments | ELA, Mathematics, and Science | CBT | CR MC PT TE | All students in California LEAs may participate | 3–8 and high school | Optional tests available at any time throughout the year that may be used in conjunction with Tools for Teachers resources. |
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
| Test | Content | Format | Type | Participants | Grades | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inital ELPAC | Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing | CBT | CR |
All students whose primary language is not English as indicated on the Home Language Survey (HLS) enrolling in a California public school for the first time | Kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12(1)) | July 5, 2023, through June 28, 2024. Must be administered within 30 calendar days of enrolling in a California public school for the first time. |
| Summative ELPAC | Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing | CBT with paper and pencil test for K–2 Writing | CR MC | Identified English learners until they are re-designated as fluent English proficient | K-12(1) | February 1 through May 31, 2024 |
| Initial Alternate ELPAC | Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing Expressive (Speaking and Writing), Receptive (Listening and Reading) |
CBT | CR MC | Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose active IEP designates the use of an alternate assessment and whose primary language is not English as indicated on the HLS enrolling in a California public school for the first time | K-12(1)(2) | July 5, 2023, through June 28, 2024. Must be administered within 30 calendar days of enrolling in a California public school for the first time. |
| Summative Alternate ELPAC | Expressive (Speaking and Writing), Receptive (Listening and Reading) | CBT | CR MC | Identified English learner students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose active IEP designates the use of an alternate assessment until they are re-designated as fluent English proficient | K-12(1)(2) | February 1 through May 31, 2024 |
| Interim Assessments | ELPAC | CBT | CR MC PT SR TE | All students in California LEAs eligible to take the ELPAC may participate | K-12 | Optional tests available at any time throughout the year. |
(1) Kindergarten includes year one of a two-year kindergarten program, which is often referred to as “transitional kindergarten.”
(2) Grade 12 includes adult transition students until age 21.
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
| Content | Format | Type | Participants | Grades | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Capacity, Abdominal Strength and Endurance, Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility, Upper Body Strength and Endurance, and Flexibility | FITNESSGRAM® Performance Assessment The FITNESSGRAM® is a registered trademark of The Cooper Institute. |
PA | All students, regardless of whether they are enrolled in a physical education class or participate in a block schedule | 5, 7, and 9 | February 1 through May 31, 2024 |
California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE): For information visit the California Department of Education High School Proficiency web page (Coming Soon).
High School Equivalency (HSE): California has approved the use of two high school equivalency tests: GED® and HiSET®. For more information on these two optional tests visit the California Department of Education HSE web page.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): For information visit the California Department of Education NAEP web page.