With the transition to Common Core State Standards, annual testing has also changed. Some of the changes you may notice include:
- The title of the testing program has changed from STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) to CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress).
- Grades 3-5 participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) for English-Language Arts and Mathematics tests (Grade 2 no longer takes end-of-year State tests).
- SBAC tests are administered online. There are two parts to each Math and English-Language Arts test - a Computer Adaptive (CAT) portion where students answer shorter response questions, and a Performance Task (PT) portion where students apply their skills to a larger task.
- Grade 5 students also participate in two additional state tests - the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) which starts in late winter and is completed in the spring, and the new CA Science Test (CAST) at the end of the year.
Please visit the CA Department of Education website for more information!