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Academics » Testing

Testing

California Testing Overview

The 2018–19 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress administration (CAASPP) includes the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC); the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs), including the CAA for Science; the California Science Test (CAST); and the California Spanish Assessment (CSA).

 

 

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments

Students in grades three through eight and grade eleven will take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. These assessments are administered online. A student may be exempted from taking the Smarter Balanced assessments in the following three situations:

  1. The student is taking the CAAs.
  2. The student has been designated as an English learner and is within his or her first 12 months of enrollment in a U.S. school as of April 15 of the previous year. (This exemption applies only to the ELA portion of the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment.)
  3. The parent has expressed in writing that his or her student should be excluded from taking the summative assessments.
 

California Alternate Assessments

The CAAs for ELA and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven are individually administered to students who have an individualized education program that indicates the use of an alternate assessment on statewide assessments. All eligible students are required to participate in these online assessments.

The CAA for Science field test can be administered beginning January 8, 2019. These assessments are to be administered to eligible students in grades five and eight and once to each eligible student while that student is in high school. All students must take the science assessment by the end of grade twelve, but have the option of testing in grade ten or grade eleven. Only eligible students may participate in the administration of the CAAs.

 

 

California Science Test

The CAST can be administered beginning January 8, 2019. These assessments are to be administered to all students in grades five and eight and once to each student while that student is in high school. All students must take the science assessment by the end of grade twelve, but have the option of testing in grade ten or grade eleven. Students assigned to take an alternate assessment should take the CAA for Science.

 
 
 
SATs

The SAT Reasoning Test™ is a three-hour-and-45-minute test that measures critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills that students have developed over time and that they need to be successful in college. The new SAT is better aligned with current curriculum and institutional practices in high school and college. By including a third measure of skills, writing, the SAT reinforces the importance of writing throughout a student's education and will help colleges make better admissions and placement decisions. The new SAT was administered for the first time in March 2005 for the class of 2006.

The SAT Subject Tests™ are a battery of one-hour, mostly multiple-choice tests that measure how much students know about a particular academic subject and how well they can apply that knowledge.
Additional information about SAT tests, test dates, and fees can be found on the CollegeBoard website www.collegeboard.com

 

 

ACTs


The ACT is another possible college entrance exam. It assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The ACT is a multiple-choice test which covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. For additional information, test dates, and fee information you can visit the website www.act.org

 

Advanced Placement (AP)


Advanced Placement tests are optional end of course tests for students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses.  Test dates are determined by the CollegeBoard and the school must administer the tests on the designated dates.  Testing usually occurs during a two week window at the beginning of May.  AP tests are fee based tests.  There are no refunds or make up opportunities for students who are absent on the test date or for students who decide not to take the test after the exams have been ordered.  Fee waivers and fee reductions may be available for qualified students.  For more information please see the counselor or the AP Coordinator, Sharon Ware.