Student Testing Resources

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

The CAASPP system consists of several types of student assessments intended to check what students know and can do, and how they are progressing towards readiness for college and/or career.

• Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics are comprehensive, end-of-year assessments aligned with the Common Core State Standards for ELA and mathematics. These computer-adaptive assessments are taken annually by students in grades three through eight, and grade 11.
• California Science Test(CAST) is a comprehensive, end-of-year assessment aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools. This assessment is taken by students in grades five, eight, and once in high school.
• California Spanish Assessment (CSA) is a comprehensive, end-of-year assessment aligned with the Common Core State Standards in Spanish. This optional assessment is available to students in grades three through eight and high school.
• Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments are shorter than summative assessments and are designed to be used as instructional tools that support teaching and learning throughout the year.
• Smarter Balanced Digital Library is a repository of free, high-quality instructional resources aligned with assessment targets that are available to all public school educators in California. In late May 2020, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium will be decommissioning the Digital Library in preparation for the launch of an advanced suite of resources called Tools for Teachers.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

The ELPAC is the required state test for English language proficiency that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. The test is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards, and it consists of two separate assessments:

• The Initial ELPAC is given to students who are new to California public schools and indicate a language spoken other than English. The purpose of this test is the initial identification of students as English learners or fluent/English proficient.
• The Summative ELPAC is given annually, only to students classified as English learners. The purpose of this assessment is to measure a student’s progress in learning English. The Summative ELPAC is one measure in determining if students should be reclassified as English proficient.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

The PFT for students in California schools is the FITNESSGRAM®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting life-long habits of regular physical activity.

Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test. The test has six parts, demonstrating a level of fitness that offers a degree of defense against diseases that come from inactivity.

High School Equivalency Tests

California has approved the use of two high school equivalency tests (GED and HiSET) for students 18 years old and older for the purpose of receiving a California High School Equivalency Certificate. (Seventeen-year-old students are also eligible in some circumstances.)