California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress CAASPP

NUSD Test Dates: March – May
Test Subjects: English Language Arts (ELA), 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 for the ELA and Math; Students in grades 5, 8, and 12 for the California Science Test (CAST)

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 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 computer-adaptive ELA,  math, and science 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.

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. Score reports will also be sent home to parents by fall of 2023, as in years past.

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.

Understanding CAASPP Student Score Reports

A cover letter will also be included with any score reports sent home.

What do these Achievement Levels and Claim Levels mean?

Reporting Achievement Level Descriptors and Claim Achievement Level Descriptors are available on the CDE website. The reporting achievement level descriptors provide brief descriptions of how a student performed in ELA and mathematics. The claim achievement level descriptors provide brief descriptions of how a student performed in key areas, also called claims, in ELA and mathematics.

More on understanding student score reports from the California Department of Education 

• 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
• The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium provides some explanations of interpretation and use of scores and achievement levels
• Parent Guide to Understanding More about the CAASPP System can be found here
  • Sacramento County Office of Education
  • California State PTA 

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.