Testing and Assessments

NUSD System of Assessments

The vision of the Natomas Unified School District is that “All NUSD students graduate as college and career ready, productive, responsible, and engaged global citizens.” Assessments inform teaching and learning and help students, parents/guardians, and teachers to understand progress and performance and work together to guide improvement. Assessments also inform student placement in appropriate classes, programs, interventions, and other supports. Assessments are one component of NUSD’s instructional system.

There are different types of assessments, each used for different purposes: classroom, grade level or subject area, district, state-mandated, and college and career assessments. Below are descriptions of the key assessments used within NUSD.

Assessments

Please note that test dates are provided as ranges and each school site identifies specific dates within those ranges to administer. Check with your school site if you have questions about the specific dates that a given assessment will be administered.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress)
NUSD Test Dates: March – May
Test Subjects: English Language Arts (ELA) and Math
Test Format: Computer-adaptive (on Google Chromebooks) for ELA and Math
Who Tests: Students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 for the ELA and Math

What is CAASPP??

The CAASPP system, based on California Content Standards, also known as the Common Core State Standards, is designed to give information to teachers, students, and their families about what students know and are able to do and whether they are on track to be ready for success in college or career when they graduate from high school. Test results will help identify and address gaps in knowledge or skills early on so students get the support they need to be ready for success in higher grades.

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.

The computer-adaptive ELA and math tests are not timed but they are estimated to take 3-4 hours per subject for ELA and math and 2 hours for science, for a total of 8-10 hours of testing. Students will need headphones to take the computer adaptive tests. They may use their own headphones, normally used for phones or music players, to take the test (excludes bluetooth headphones).

Student score reports will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent App (click here for instructions on how to access them) and will include an overall score, a description of the student’s achievement level for English–language arts, mathematics, and science, along with other information. You can find more information about Understanding CAASPP Student Score Reports here

According to California State Education Code 60615, parents have the right to annually opt their child out of participating in state mandated test programs. Contact the principal at your child’s school for more information. NUSD Board Policy.

Additional Information & Resources

CDE link for CAASPP
CDE Notice of Assessments Administration
Help prepare your students for success by taking a practice test
FAQs on the Interim Assessments is available here

Contact for Questions

If you have questions, start by talking to your teacher or principal. If you have technical questions about the test you can find many answers here. If you have questions about curriculum and the Common Core State Standards, go here.

California Science Test (CAST)

CAASPP Science – California Science Test (CAST)
NUSD Test Dates: April – May
Test Subjects: Science
Test Format: Computer-adaptive (on Google Chromebooks) for Science
Who Tests: Students in grades 5, 8, 11 and 12

What is the CAST?

The California Science Test (CAST) is an online assessment based on the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) . All local educational agencies (LEAs) with eligible students in grades five and eight and in high school will administer the CAST operational test. The CAST operational test uses the current California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test delivery system and will be administered online only.

Who takes the CAST operational test?

The CAST is administered in grades five and eight and once to each student while that student is in high school. All students must take the CAST 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 CAST. Students assigned to take an alternate assessment should take the California Alternate Assessment for Science.

For more information about CAST, please click here.

California Alternate Assessment (CAA)

CAA (California Alternate Assessment)
NUSD Test Dates: April – May
Test Subjects: English Language Arts, Math and Science
Test Format: Computer-adaptive (on Google Chromebooks) for ELA, Math, and Science tests
Who Tests: Students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 that have been assigned to take CAA ELA and CAA Math; Students in grades 5, 8, 11 and 12 for the CAA for Science

The summative California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for English language arts/literacy (ELA), mathematics, and science are administered to eligible students using the secure browser and test delivery system. The CAAs are for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and whose individualized education program (IEP) team has designated the use of an alternate assessment on statewide summative assessments.

The California Alternate Assessments (CAA) and California Alternate Assessments (CAA) for Science is delivered one on one by a trained CAA test examiner familiar to the student.

The summative California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for English language arts/literacy (ELA), mathematics, and science were developed by the California Department of Education (CDE) to ensure that all students are able to participate in assessments that are a measure of what they know and can do in relation to the grade-level California Common Core State Standards (CA CCSS) and the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). In addition, the CAAs are aligned with grade-level content and are part of a curriculum and assessment cycle, which is accomplished through a linkage between the CA CCSS and the CA NGSS and their respective Core Content Connectors.

Visit the CDE Website for more information

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

English Language Proficiency Assessment for California

The ELPAC is the required state test for English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The California Department of Education (CDE) transitioned from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment in 2018. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student's level of ELP. More information can be found here.

The ELPAC System includes the following assessments:

Initial ELPAC - Within 30 calendar days of enrollment
Summative ELPAC- February - End of March
Alternate ELPAC-February - End of March

Early Reading Benchmark Assessment

DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)
Assessment Dates: Three times/year - Fall (August-September), Winter (January), and Spring (April-May)
Format: Teacher administered assessment of early literacy skills

What is the DIBELS Early Reading Benchmark Assessment?

The DIBELS mClass assessment is used to assess students' early literacy skills across a number of areas. This information helps teachers provided targeted support and intervention based on individual students needs and supports ongoing progress monitoring.

Who takes the DIBELS Early Reading Benchmark Assessment?

All students in grades K-2 participate in the assessment three times each year, with the winter (January) assessment serving as an official screener for early reading difficulties. Students in third grade participate in the fall benchmark and, depending on their performance, may continue to participate in progress monitoring and additional benchmarks.

Math and English Language Arts (ELA) Benchmarks

Assessment Dates: Three times/year - Fall (August), Winter (November-December), and Spring (April)
Format: Computer-adaptive tests that provides students standards-aligned questions to accurately assess their current reading and math levels.
Who Tests: Students in grades 2-12 (Grades K-1 optional by school site)

What assessments are used for Math and ELA Benchmarks?

Currently NUSD uses i-Ready at grades K-8 and IXL at grades 9-12 for Math and ELA Benchmarks.

Who takes the Math and ELA Benchmarks?

All students in grades 2-8 across NUSD schools are assessed using i-Ready three times each year and all students in grades 9-12 are assessed using IXL three times each year. Students in grades K-1 are assessed based on the determination of the school site. Note: Leroy Greene Academy utilizes IXL for all students in grades 6-12.

Preliminary SAT (PSAT)

PSAT NMSQT

NUSD Test Dates: End of October
Test Subjects: Reading and Math
Test Format: Computer-adaptive (on Google Chromebooks)
Who Tests: Grade 10
Test Purpose: Preparation and practice for the SAT and entry to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) program.
Description: The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are to:

Receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
See how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
Help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.

Students can use Khan Academy to practice for the SAT.

SAT

DRDP (Desired Results Developmental Profile)

Assessment Dates: Two times each year - Fall (within first 60 days) and Spring (April-May)
Format: Observation-based formative assessment tool
Who Tests: Students in Preschool and eligible TK/K students with an IEP

What type of assessment is used for the DRDP?

The DRDP is a tool that teachers use to track the learning and development of students over time. Measurement within the DRDP relies upon teacher observations during natural play, routines, and daily activities.

Who takes the Math and ELA Benchmarks?

All students in in preschool are regularly assessed (two times each year) using the DRDP. Additionally, eligible students in grades TK/K who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are assessed.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

District Writing Assessment

Assessment Dates: Two times each year - Fall (October-November) and Spring (March)
Format: On-demand writing prompt measured with standards-aligned grade-level rubric
Who Tests: TK-11

What is the District Writing Assessment?

This is a formative assessment that NUSD uses to assess students in several key writing skills. Students respond to a prompt in writing during a pre-assessment, receive instruction over several weeks, and then are assessed again in a post-assessment. The prompts are developed by NUSD staff and used across all schools.

Who takes the District Writing Assessment?

The District Writing Assessment is taken by all students in Grades TK-11, with the exception of DIscovery High School students.

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