State Testing

  • CALIFORNIA ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND PROGRESS (CAASPP)

    On January 1, 2014, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System was established. The primary purpose of the CAASPP System is to assist teachers, administrators, students, and parents by promoting high-quality teaching and learning through the use of a variety of assessment approaches and item types.  The CAASPP System encompasses the following assessments:

    Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBA) for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics in grade three through eight and eleven.  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 for ELA and mathematics. The computer-adaptive section includes a range of items types such as selected response, constructed response, table, fill-in, graphing, etc. The PT is extended activities that measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards—a key component of college and career readiness. 

    California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and mathematics in grade three through grade eleven.  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.  The content of the alternate assessment is based on alternate achievement standards derived from the Common Core State Standards. The CAAs are a computer-based two-stage adaptive test. The CAAs are administered to students in a one-on-one environment with a testing examiner that is familiar with the student. More information about the alternate assessments and the alternate achievement standards can be found on the CDE CAASPP California Alternate Assessments Web page.

    California Science Test (CAST) in grades five, eight and assigned grade in high school.  The CAST is required from all students in grades five, eight, and assigned a grade in high school 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, graphing, etc. The PTs are extended activities that measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards.  The CAST is aligned with the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) and was adopted by the State Board of Education in September 2013. The 2017 administration of the CAST was a census pilot test and the 2018 CAST was a census field test.  All eligible grade twelve students must take the CAST if they did not participate in the 2017-18 CAST field test.  Local educational agencies (LEAs) have the option to test any or all students in grades ten or eleven; however, it is recommended that LEAs select grade ten and eleven students who are enrolled in their last high school science course.  Once a high school student takes the CAST, the student has met the science assessment requirement.

    California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science in grades five, eight, and assigned grade in high school.  The CAA for Science is administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to take the CAST even with accessibility support and whose IEP indicates assessment with an alternative test. The content of the alternate assessment is based on alternate achievement standards called the Science Core Content Connectors and are linked to the performance expectations from the California NGSS. Test examiners administer the CAA for Science students in a one-on-one environment. 

    ELPAC Testing

    Students entering school in kindergarten through grade twelve whose home language is not English are required by law to be assessed in English language proficiency (ELP). In California, the 2018-19 Initial English language proficiency assessment is the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California(ELPAC).

    ELPAC assessment information

    For this initial assessment, students will be tested in four areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. After the assessment, Welcome Center staff will review the results with parents during a required conference.

    If your child has already taken the ELPAC at another school, please bring a copy of the most recent results with you. 

    California Physical Fitness Test 

     Every year in the early spring OUSD students in the 5th., 7th. and 9th. graders join students statewide to take the California Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The scores of the 5th, 7th, and 9th graders are reported to the state.
     
    The California Department of Education selected the FITNESSGRAM, an internationally recognized test to measure fitness, as the assessment tool school districts in the state must use.  
     
    This fitness assessment is an integral part of DNCUSD Physical Education programs and is designed to measure fitness levels. Students will be encouraged to participate to the best of their ability and using their best efforts. The FITNESSGRAM measures aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and body composition. 
     
    Each student will be assessed using the following suggested test components that are recommended by OUSD.
    • Aerobic capacity
      • One-Mile Run/Walk Test or the PACER 
    • Body composition
      • Body Mass Indes 
    • Muscular Strenghth, Endurance, and Flexibility
      • Curl Up
      • Push Up
      • Trunk Lift
      • Back-Saver Site & Reach or Shoulder Stretch 

    Later in the year a confidential report will be provided for each student to take home. This report will include your child’s scores and will provide information on the “Healthy Fitness Zones” standards.  The “Healthy Fitness Zones” represent the level of fitness needed for optimum health. The information on this private report will not be displayed or made public.