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Rheem Readies for CAASPP

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) has replaced the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) and is the state’s new academic testing program. CAASPP is a system intended to provide information that can be used to monitor student progress and ensure that all students leave high school ready for college and career.  To provide some clarification about new terminology, these new assessments have been developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium and CAASPP is often referred to as SBAC. 

Last year, our students, as well as many other students nation-wide, participated in a successful computer-based field test. This practice run of the test, though no scores were provided, allowed students to experience computer-based testing and new types of questions. In addition, the field test also helped evaluate how well districts technology systems could meet the demands of computer-based tests and determine what resources teachers and schools would need to better prepare students for future assessments.  Lessons learned from last year’s field test will help ensure a successful, full launch of the CAASPP system this school year.

This year, all students in 3rd through 8th grades will participate in the full version of CAASPP which includes computer adaptive tests in English/Language Arts and Mathematics, as well as, paper-based tests for science (grades 5 & 8).  The computer adaptive feature of this assessment is designed so that student’s prior responses affect the difficulty of subsequent questions, allowing more precise measurement of student skills and knowledge than the former tests.  One additional component of the SBAC is a Performance Task in both English/Language Arts and in Mathematics.  This portion of the assessment begins with a teacher facilitated classroom activity.  This activity is followed by a Performance Task that will be completed by individual students on the computer. 

Listed below are the testing weeks for each grade level.  Specific testing times will be determined by each grade level.  SBAC is an untimed test, but based on the estimated testing times provided by CAASPP, students will be working on the test for 45 to 60 minutes a day during their assigned weeks.  Please avoid scheduling appointments during the weeks that are designated for your child’s grade level. 

To learn about the types of questions on the computer-based test, you and your child can view the practice test online at this link:   http://caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html 
1.  Click on Student Interface Practice and Training Tests
2.  You are automatically logged in as a Guest.  Click on the “Sign In” box
3.  Select the Grade Level and Click on Yes

Following the spring 2015 testing, students will receive individual score reports. Student score reports will be sent home to parents and will include an overall score, a description of the student’s achievement level for English–language arts and mathematics, and other information. It is important to note that these scores cannot be compared to scores that your child previously received on the STAR Program tests because this test is based on the new Common Core State Standards, involves different types of test questions, and will not be reported using the STAR Program reporting categories. 

California has set high proficiency levels on the new state assessments.  Based on projections from the 2014 Smarter Balanced field tests, it is likely that fewer students will score at the higher achievement levels on the new assessments, especially in the first few years.  However, a drop in test scores does not mean students are sliding backwards or learning less.  Joseph Willhoft, one of the test project directors, says that “because the new content standards set higher expectations for students and the new tests are designed to assess student performance against these higher expectations, the bar has been raised.”

If you would like more information, please click on the following link: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents-students/  If you have any questions regarding SBAC or your child’s participation, please contact Carolyn Parker, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, at (925) 377-4107 or Principal Elaine Frank (925) 376-4441.