California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System
California's statewide student assessment system.On January 1, 2014, California Education Code Section 60640 established the CAASPP System of assessments. The CAASPP – CalEdFacts Web page provides a more detailed overview of the system. The CAASPP System (PDF) includes the following required assessments and additional resources:
- Smarter Balanced Assessments – The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, Interim Assessments, and Digital Library are all part of the CAASPP System.
- The California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics are given in grades three through eight and grade eleven.
The CAA for Science is given in grades five and eight and one time in high school. For the pilot test, all eligible grade twelve students will take the CAA for Science. Local educational agencies (LEAs) also have the option to test any or all grade ten or eleven students; however, it is recommended that LEAs select students in grade ten or eleven who are enrolled in their last science course. Only eligible students—students whose individualized education program (IEP) identifies the use of alternate assessments—may participate in the administration of the CAAs.
- California Science Tests (CAST) will be field-tested in spring 2018. Students will be administered the CAST field test in grades five and eight and once in high school. All grade twelve students will be administered the field test, and LEAs can elect to administer the field test to any or all students in grade ten or eleven. For grade ten or eleven students, it is recommended that LEAs select those who are enrolled in their last science course. The CAST is aligned with the California Next Generation Science Standards.
2018 CAASPP Video Contest — For Kids, By Kids
This video contest is part of a statewide effort to raise awareness about the importance of the statewide assessments. The contest will put the script and the camera in the hands of our talented and creative students to create a message for other students. Eligibility and submission requirements and contest entry forms are available on the 2018 CAASPP Video Contest Information Web page. Video entries are due by the close of business April 20, 2018.
Preliminary Indicator Communication Toolkit for Science Assessments
The Preliminary Indicator Communication Toolkit for Science Assessments Web page provides resources, including key messages, a reporting timeline, transition to operational status, frequently asked questions, letter templates for LEAs, and other tools to assist LEAs in providing information about the preliminary indicators for the science assessments to educators, parents and guardians, and other stakeholders.
2017–18 CAASPP Back-to-School Toolkit
The CAASPP Back-to-School Toolkit provides links to resources, including communications and key informational documents that schools and districts can use during back-to-school activities.
CAASPP Results
The CAASPP results are posted annually on the CAASPP Results Web site at https://caaspp.cde.ca.gov. These summary results include the Smarter Balanced and CAAs for ELA and mathematics, the Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) and other related assessment results information.
- 2017 CAASPP Results
(Posted 27 September 2017) – School, district, county, and statewide summary results.
- CAASPP Public Reporting Web Site – Frequently Asked Questions
Student Accessibility Resources
The CAASPP System provides accessibility resources for all students, including those who are English learners and students with disabilities. Teachers are encouraged to review these resources early in the school year and provide opportunities for students to use them throughout their classroom instructional and assessment experiences.
Available Resources for Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams (PDF) provides a list of resources for IEP teams to use as they consider the most appropriate CAASPP assessments.
CAASPP Institute Training Materials
The CAASPP Institute was a professional development training opportunity that the CDE offered to LEA teams throughout California during the 2015–16 and 2016–17 school years. The Institute training focused on using all components of the CAASPP system of assessments and provided dedicated time for LEA teams to strategize ways for implementing these components to improve teaching and learning. The 2016-17 CAASPP Institute training materials consist of seven session presentations, including speaker notes, activities, and ancillary materials.
CAASPP in Action Report Series
The CAASPP in Action series features LEAs' stories of their successes, challenges, and lessons learned while implementing the CAASPP System. The series includes LEAs' documentation of the strategic implementation of one or more components of the CAASPP System. Each report contains the LEA's profile, implementation goals, lessons learned, and next steps for continuously improving teaching and learning.
CAASPP Communications Toolkit
The CAASPP Communications Toolkit provides Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment resources, including communication tools and key informational documents to inform schools, families, and community representatives about online summative testing.
CAASPP Weekly Updates
To receive regular updates on the latest information about the CAASPP System, including the Smarter Balanced assessments, join the CDE’s CAASPP e-mail list by sending a blank e-mail to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. Go to the CAASPP Update Web page for past updates.
Technology Resources
A variety of resources are available on the CDE Technology Readiness Resources Web page, including information on minimum technology requirements for online testing and a link to a network bandwidth checker.
CAASPP Info
Quick Reference Guides – Step-by-step instructions for how to accomplish a task or activity within California’s assessment programs.
CAASPP Student Score Reports Information – Samples of 2016–17 CAASPP student score reports.
Implementation of CAASPP – Reports to the Legislature required by California Education Code pertaining to the CAASPP System implementation.
Federal Listening/Speaking Waiver (PDF) – On August 9, 2016, the United States Department of Education granted a limited waiver (under Title I, Part A, Section 8401[b]) to waive assessing certain reading/language arts content standards that include speaking and listening standards.
CAASPP Regulations (DOCX)
Related Resources
- Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
- Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program Results Web Page
Includes school, district, county, and statewide summary results for the CST, CMA, CAPA, STS, Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition (SAT/9), and California Achievement Tests, Sixth Edition Survey (CAT/6) results.
Coordinators & Admins
Communications for Local Educational Agencies
Template Letters for Parents and Guardians
- Parent and guardian score report letter template
The score report letters address student results on the CAASPP Summative Assessments and direct parents to resources that will help them understand their child’s test scores. Local educational agencies (LEAs) can adapt the templates by adding the LEA letterhead and inserting needed information. The letters can be included with the Student Score Reports that must be distributed to parents.
- 2017–18 Notice of CAASPP Administration
Notices to parents of the year’s statewide assessments. LEAs can adapt the templates by adding the LEA letterhead and inserting necessary local information. These sample letters has been translated into the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Korean, Filipino (Tagalog), Spanish, and Vietnamese.
- Informational letter to parents and guardians on the California Science Test (CAST) Pilot Test (DOC)
The letter provides information to parents about the 2016–17 pilot test of the new statewide CAST. LEAs can adapt the template by adding the LEA letterhead and inserting necessary local information. The letter provides links to the Practice and Training Test Web page
and the Quick Reference Guide How To: Start a Training Test for Science (PDF).
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Training videos and Webcast archives
The latest information about preparing for the administration of the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments.
- CAASPP Communication About Smarter Balanced
The Smarter Balanced Comprehensive Plan and the collaborative role of teachers to facilitate the changes being implemented to improve teaching and learning.
- One Percent Threshold for Alternate Assessments Flyer (PDF)
Explains requirement to notify California Department of Education of exceeding threshold.
Test Administration Resources
- CAASPP Coordinator Checklist
The checklist is designed to assist district CAASPP coordinators in understanding the tasks/activities necessary to ensure successful administration of the CAASPP summative assessments.
- California Science Test – Field Test: Available Resources Flyer (PDF)
- California Alternate Assessments for Science – Year Two: Available Resources Flyer (PDF)
Resources for Science: the new two-page flyers provide links to several science resources, including an assessment fact sheet, the Quick Reference Guide for How to Start a Testing Session, and an informational video.
- At Which Grade Level in High School Do We Administer the 2017–18 Science Tests? (PDF)
The flyer illustrates how all grade twelve students must take the science test in 2017–18 and provides LEAs with flexibility in deciding when to test their grade ten or eleven students.
- Summative Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
This document is a one-page resource that describes the basic steps in starting a summative test session.
Related Resources
- Apportionment reimbursements to LEAs
Information regarding the reimbursement to LEAs for assessments administered as part of the CAASPP System.
Teachers
Smarter Balanced Resources for Teachers
CAASPP Teacher Guides: Smarter Balanced Assessments
These teacher guides deepen teachers’ understanding of the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, their alignment with the California Common Core State Standards (CA CCSS), and their intended connection to classroom learning.
Assistance for Teachers
New Resources for Science: these two one-page flyers provide links to several science resources, including an assessment fact sheet, a Quick Reference Guide for How to Start a Testing Session, and an informational video.
- California Science Test – Field Test: Available Resources Flyer (PDF)
- California Alternate Assessments for Science – Year Two: Available Resources Flyer (PDF)
Resources for Science: the new two-page flyers provide links to several science resources, including an assessment fact sheet, the Quick Reference Guide for How to Start a Testing Session, and an informational video.
Summative Quick Reference Guide (PDF) – This document is a one page resource that describes the basic steps in starting a summative test session.
Practice and Training Tests
This link accesses both the Practice and Training Tests portal. The Practice Tests provide students with grade-specific testing experiences that are similar in structure and format to the Summative Assessments. The Training Tests provide students with the opportunity to quickly become familiar with the software and interface features. The Training Tests are organized by grade-bands (e.g., 3–5).
Resources Search
A searchable site that houses a collection of resources to support implementation of the Common Core State Standards.
Keyboard Commands for Students
(PDF)
Provides keyboard commands students and teachers can use to navigate between test elements, features, and tools.
Smarter Balanced Resources
Test blueprints, initial achievement level descriptors and college content readiness policy, accessibility and accommodation information, Common Core State Standards, presentations, frequently asked questions, and fact sheets.
Communications for Teachers
- CAASPP Communication about Smarter Balanced – Addresses the Smarter Balanced Comprehensive Plan and the collaborative role of teachers to facilitate the changes being implemented to improve teaching and learning.
Students & Parents
The CAASPP System is intended to provide parents and students more accurate and actionable information about what students are learning. Because the Smarter Balanced Assessments, which are administered as part of the CAASPP System, are computer adaptive, these Assessments will also provide better information about the needs and successes of individual students.
Parent Resources
- Parent Guides to the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments
These revised parent guides provide information about the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments and will help parents better understand their children’s test results. - CAASPP Student Score Report Information
This page provides information for parents or guardians to help interpret the CAASPP student score report. - California PTA
– This Web site provides resources and information about the new Smarter Balanced assessments built to help students, parents, teachers, and school leaders know where students are on the path to success. Included on this Web site are updated resources to help understand your child's CAASPP scores.
Practice and Training Tests
This link accesses both the Practice and Training Tests portal. The Practice Tests provide students with grade-specific testing experiences that are similar in structure and format to the Summative Assessments. The Training Tests provide students with the opportunity to quickly become familiar with the software and interface features. The Training Tests are organized by grade-bands (e.g., 3–5).
Student Resources
Multiplication Table (1–9)
This resource is a single digit (1–9) multiplication table that is a non-embedded accommodation for grade 4 mathematics items and above. This is to be used only for students with a documented and persistent calculation disability (i.e., dyscalculia). It can be printed for students requiring this accommodation.
Keyboard Commands for Students
(PDF)
Provides keyboard commands students can use to navigate between test elements, features, and tools.
Other Resources
Smarter Balanced Parents and Student Page
Provides access to fact sheets, questions and answers, and resources in English and Spanish.