Dear South Lake Families,
Each spring, students in grades 3-8 and 11 participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) to provide information about their skills in English-language arts/literacy (ELA), mathematics, and science. These computer-based assessments reflect California’s rigorous academic standards, and measure students’ ability to write clearly, think critically, and solve problems—skills needed for success in college or career.
Your child will take the following tests, depending on their grade level or instructional program:
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Assessments (SBAC) - Grades 7-8
The SBAC assessments are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in ELA and mathematics. In grade eleven, results can be used as an indicator of college readiness.
California Science Test (CAST) - Grade 8
The CAST is aligned with the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Earth and Space Sciences.
California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) - Grades 7-8 for ELA and Mathematics; Grades 8for Science
Only eligible students whose individualized education program (IEP) identifies the use of alternate assessments may participate in the CAAs. The CAAs are administered to students one-on-one, and measure student progress toward alternate achievement standards aligned with the CCSS and CA NGSS.
Testing Dates:
ELA – April 22, 23, 24
Math – April 30 & May 1
Science (8th grade ONLY) – Week of May 5-9
Helping Your Child Prepare for Testing
Here are some tips to help prepare your child for testing:
- Talk about the tests and encourage your child to try their best.
- Take a practice test with your child at https://www.caaspp-elpac.org/resources/preparation/practice-and-training-tests.
- Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.
Test Scores and Additional Information
CAASPP assessments provide one piece of information about student progress and should always be interpreted as one of multiple measures of a student’s skills. When your child’s scores are available, you will receive an automated email with directions for accessing results in the Parent Portal.
For more information about the assessments, please visit the IUSD Statewide Testing website at iusd.org/statewide-testing or the California Department of Education’s Starting Smarter web page at ca.startingsmarter.org.
If you have any questions, please contact our testing coordinator Mikayla Byars at mikaylabyars@iusd.org
We will review the importance of taking this assessment seriously as we use these scores for placement, readiness, and for assessing growth. These scores are an indication of how your student is making progress in their readiness for high school and college. We ask that you do not schedule appointments during our testing times and that you also emphasize the value of taking this assessment seriously...thank you!
In kindness,
Belinda Averill
Principal