California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

“Starting Smarter” Family Website for CAASPP

To help empower parents/guardians and families to become partners in their children’s academic success, the California Department of Education (CDE) and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) have created the “Starting Smarter" family website for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) including information on Student Score Reports and resources for the California Science Test (CAST), the California Spanish Assessment (CSA), and the California Alternate Assessments (CAA).

Using this website, which is available in both English and Spanish, families can become involved in their child’s progress and:

Learn more about the performance areas in each subject and grade.
See sample test questions.
Prepare for parent-teacher conferences with a useful downloadable guide.
Access high-quality resources to support learning at home.

Starting Smarter for the CAASPP (available in English and Spanish) can be found at Starting Smarter's website.

You Can Access CAASPP and Initial/Summative ELPAC Student Score Reports Electronically!

Each year all students who are English Learners are assessed annually on their English Language Proficiency through the English Learner Proficiency Assessment in California (ELPAC). The California Department of Education has developed an electronic process for each school district to share student scores for ELPAC. All State Assessment Student Score Reports are available electronically through the ParentVUE portal of our Student Information System, Synergy.

Currently, all Student Score Reports for the previous three years of ELPAC are available in the parent portal of our Student Information System, Synergy. All parents and guardians can access these reports by logging in to ParentVUE and clicking on the State Tests link on the left hand side of the dashboard, to view downloadable PDFs of the ELPAC and CAASPP score reports. It is recommended to access the parent portal with a desktop, laptop or tablet for optimal viewing.

Parents and guardians can access these reports by logging into the ParentVUE portal and clicking on the State Tests link, as illustrated in these links:
English

CAASPP Description

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is intended to provide parents, teachers, administrators and students with accurate and actionable information about what students are learning. The CAASPP System encompasses the following assessments and student participation requirements. Information about the content and format of each test is also provided.

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Mathematics in Grades 3 Through 8 and Grade 11

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven.

Student Participation

All students at the designated grade levels are required to participate in the SBAC with the following exceptions:

Students who participate in the alternate assessments.
ELA only: English learners who are in their first 12 months of attending a school in the United States.

Content & Format

The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, which are delivered by computer, consist of two sections: a computer adaptive test and a performance task (PT) based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for ELA and mathematics. The computer adaptive section includes a range of item types, such as selected response, constructed response, table, fill-in, graphing, and so forth. The PTs are extended activities that measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards — a key component of college and career readiness.

See CAASPP Resources for Parents for more resources including Parent Guides to Understanding the CAASPP assessments. This website includes translations of the parent guides in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Spanish, and Vietnamese, as well as links to summaries and videos in English and Spanish to aid in understanding Student Score Reports. Additional information is available on the Resources for Communication with Parents page of the CA Department of Education (CDE) website.

The Smarter Balanced Practice Tests, including scoring guides, are now available for grades 3-8 and grade 11 in English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The Practice Tests provide a preview of the Smarter Balanced assessments, but do not reflect the full range of content that students may encounter on the actual assessments. See Link to Online Practice and Training Tests for the SBAC.

California Science Test (CAST) Test in Grades 5, 8, and Once in High School

California Science Test (CAST) Test in grades 5, 8, and once in high school.

Student Participation

The CAST is required for all students in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade 10, 11, or 12) unless their IEP indicates assessment with an alternate test. The CAST includes stand-alone or discrete items and Performance Tasks (PTs). The discrete item types consist of selected response, constructed response, table, fill-in, and graphing. The PTs measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards through extended activities.

Content and Format

The CAST is aligned with the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). The State Board of Education adopted the CA NGSS in September 2013.

California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and Mathematics in Grades Three Through Eight and Grade Eleven

Student Participation

Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments even with accessibility supports and whose individualized education program (IEP) indicates assessment with an alternate test.

Content and Format

The content of the alternate assessment is based on alternate achievement standards derived from the CCSS for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The CAAs are computer-based two-stage adaptive tests. They are administered to students in a one-on-one environment by a test examiner who is familiar with the student. For more information, see A Parent Guide to Understanding the California Alternate Assessments. See additional translations in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Spanish, or Vietnamese.

California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science Test in Grades Five, Eight, and Once in High School

California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science Test in grades five, eight, and once in high school.

The CAA for Science is required for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to take the CAST even with accessibility supports and whose IEP indicates assessment with an alternate test. The CAA for Science is administered to students in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade 10, 11, or 12).

The content of the alternate assessment is based on alternate achievement standards derived from the CA NGSS. The CAA for Science is administered to students in a one-on-one environment by a test examiner who is familiar with the student. The CAA for Science embedded PTs may be administered anytime during the school's spring instructional calendar.

Participation in State Assessments and Option to Request Exemption (EC § 60615, 5 CCR § 852):

Pupils in applicable grade levels will participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) except as exempted by law. Each year, a parent may submit a written request to excuse his or her child from any or all parts of the CAASPP assessments for that school year. If the parent submits the exemption request after testing begins, any test(s) completed before the request is submitted will be scored; the results will be included in the pupil’s records and reported to the parent. School district employees will not solicit or encourage any exemption request on behalf of a pupil or group of pupils.

This information can also be found on page 30 of the 2023-24 PUSD Parent and Student Guide.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) FAQ

Who will take these computer-based assessments?

What is the estimated time for each test?

What is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) component on the online summative assessment?

The computer adaptive portion of the online test includes a wide variety of item types. As students progress throughout a CAT, the computer program adjusts the difficulty of questions throughout the assessment based on their responses. For example, a student who answers a question correctly will receive a more challenging item, while an incorrect answer generates an easier question.

What is a Performance Task (PT) component on the online summative assessment?

The PT is designed to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and higher order thinking skills to explore and analyze a complex, real world scenario. Prior to the PT, teachers or instructional staff conduct a Classroom Activity for all students to ensure that a lack of understanding of the context of the task does not interfere with a student’s ability to address the content of the task.

What types of questions will be on the online summative assessment?

Computer testing with these types of response options are new for many students.

Selected Response

Single Correct (traditional multiple choice)
Multiple Correct
Evidence Based Response:
- Two-part multiple choice
  - Tell me the answer and then why is that answer correct
    - Have to get all questions correct to get it correct
Matching Tables
Yes/No
True/False
Select or order text or graphics
Complex drag and drop

Constructed Response

Fill-In Tables
Graphing
Equation or numeric response
Short Text
Long Essay
Performance Tasks

CAASPP Information

For more information regarding CAASPP, please visit the CAASPP System Website.

Logo Image

Logo Title

In This Section

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

“Starting Smarter” Family Website for CAASPP

You Can Access CAASPP and Initial/Summative ELPAC Student Score Reports Electronically!

CAASPP Description

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Mathematics in Grades 3 Through 8 and Grade 11

Student Participation

Content & Format

California Science Test (CAST) Test in Grades 5, 8, and Once in High School

Student Participation

Content and Format

California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and Mathematics in Grades Three Through Eight and Grade Eleven

Student Participation

Content and Format

California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science Test in Grades Five, Eight, and Once in High School

Participation in State Assessments and Option to Request Exemption (EC § 60615, 5 CCR § 852):

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) FAQ

Who will take these computer-based assessments?

What is the estimated time for each test?

What is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) component on the online summative assessment?

What is a Performance Task (PT) component on the online summative assessment?

What types of questions will be on the online summative assessment?

Selected Response

Constructed Response

CAASPP Information