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Assessment Spotlight, Issue 264

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, February 16, 2024.

Focusing on the CAASPP System and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)—and including, when timely, updates on California’s other statewide assessments. For questions related to test administration, coordination, and trainings, visit the CAASPP website External link opens in new window or tab. and the ELPAC website External link opens in new window or tab..

Science Test Universal Tool: Desmos Calculator

Students taking the California Science Test (CAST) can access embedded Desmos calculators during the test. The calculators are assigned to students based on their grade level Calculator—Grade Five External link opens in new window or tab. (a simple four-function calculator) and Calculator—Grade Eight and High School External link opens in new window or tab. (a scientific calculator). Students can resize or reposition the calculators on the screen as needed. Students using Job Access with Speech, or JAWS®, can also use the Desmos calculator when taking the CAST.

Links to both calculators are posted on the CAST web page External link opens in new window or tab. under Accessibility Resources for educators and students to use for practice during the school year. Students can also access these features on the Practice and Training Tests website External link opens in new window or tab.. Introducing your students to Desmos now is an opportunity for them to build familiarity prior to testing!

2024 California Assessment Conference—Save-the-Date

The sixth annual California Assessment Conference (CAC) will be held in Riverside, California, on October 15–17, 2024.

With this year’s theme of Empowering Educators: Leveraging Assessment Data and Tools for Classroom Success, the 2024 CAC is a unique opportunity for teachers, administrators, coordinators, and others to explore and learn from their peers about how assessment data and tools can be used to improve classroom success.

Save the date! Conference registration will open soon!

To receive future CAASPP updates and notifications, subscribe to the CAASPP mailing list by sending a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. For previous Assessment Spotlight issues, visit the California Department of Education Assessment Spotlight web page.

Questions:   California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Office | caaspp@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-8765
Last Reviewed: Friday, March 1, 2024
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