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An overview of all of the state tests for K-12 students required by California.  Includes the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), California Assessment of Science (CAST), The English Proficiency Assessments (ELPAC), and the Physical Fitness Test (PFT).

CAASPP English Language Summative

The CAASPP or “Smarter Balanced” assessments are administered to all California students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 and measure English Language, Mathematics, and Science.  The Math and ELA tests are comprised of two parts - a computer adapted test and a performance based task.  They are typically administered during the last two months of the school year.  The five separate tests that comprise the SBAC are untimed and require at least two weeks of time at each school to administer correctly.   Results go to the state and are part of the Dashboard, DataQuest, and Ed-Data websites.  Reports can be disaggregated by student disability status, economic status, EL fluency, Ethnicity, and Parent Education Level.  The test is primarily used to evaluate the effectiveness of schools vis-à-vis comparable schools.

CAASPP Mathematics Summative

The CAASPP or “Smarter Balanced” assessments are administered to all California students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 and measure English Language, Mathematics, and Science.  The Math and ELA tests are comprised of two parts - a computer adapted test and a performance based task.  They are typically administered during the last two months of the school year.  The five separate tests that comprise the SBAC are untimed and require at least two weeks of time at each school to administer correctly.   Results go to the state and are part of the Dashboard, DataQuest, and Ed-Data websites.  Reports can be disaggregated by student disability status, economic status, EL fluency, Ethnicity, and Parent Education Level.

California Alternative Assessment

The California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and mathematics are part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System. The purpose of the CAAs is to measure what students know and can do. These measures help identify and address gaps in knowledge or skills early so students can receive the support they need.  The CAAs are administered one-on-one by a trained test examiner who is familiar with the student and his or her needs. The CAAs are computer-based and are stage-adaptive, adjusting the level of difficulty to the student’s performance at selected stages within the test. Student results are reported as one of three performance levels.

CAST Science Test

The California Science Test (CAST) is an online assessment based on the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  All local educational agencies (LEAs) with eligible students in grades five and eight and in high school will administer the CAST operational test. The CAST operational test uses the current California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test delivery system and will be administered online only.

Who takes the CAST operational test? The CAST is administered in grades five and eight and once to each student while that student is in high school. All students must take the CAST by the end of grade twelve, but have the option of testing in grade ten or grade eleven. Only eligible students may participate in the administration of the CAST. Students assigned to take an alternate assessment should take the California Alternate Assessment for Science.

ELPAC (Initial)

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is the required state test for English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal law require that schools administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve.  The initial ELPAC is administered ONLY ONCE, within the first 30 days of the student's enrollment.  Subsequently the student wil take the Summative ELPAC each year until the student is eligible to be reclassified as "English Fluent/Proficient"

ELPAC (Summative)

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is California’s assessment system that is used to determine the English language proficiency of students whose primary language is not English. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards and assesses four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The Summative ELPAC measures how well students are progressing with English language development in each of the four domains.

The Summative ELPAC is given only to English learners in grades K–12. These students will take the assessment every year until they are reclassified as fluent English proficient.

Physical Fitness Test

The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) is a comprehensive, health-related physical fitness battery of tests for students in California. The State Board of Education designated the FITNESSGRAM® as the PFT for students in California public schools. The test has six parts that show a level of fitness that offer a degree of defense against diseases that come from inactivity. The test results can be used by students, teachers, and parents.

The FITNESSGRAM® consists of six fitness areas: Aerobic Capacity, Abdominal Strength and Endurance, Upper Body Strength and Endurance, Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility, Body Composition, and Flexibility.The PFT is given to all students enrolled in a California public school in grades five, seven, and nine. Students with disabilities should be given as much of the test as each student’s physical condition permits.