Testing

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

Information prior to year 2014/15 – STAR tests (Standardized Testing and Reporting)

All students in grades 3–8 and 11 are tested in English Language Arts and Math.

These tests are used for various purposes:

• To compare the achievement of the District’s students with other students from across the nation
• To assist in assessing individual students strengths and weaknesses
• To assist in instructional planning
• As part of an evaluation of classroom, site and District program effectiveness

If you would like to opt your child out of CAASPP testing, you must submit a letter to your child’s school.

Source: https://www.caaspp.org/

California Alternate Assessments (CAAs)

The summative California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA), mathematics, and science are administered to eligible students.

The CAAs are for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and whose individualized education plan (IEP) team has designated the use of an alternate assessment on statewide summative assessments.

Eligible students are those whose disability prevents them from taking:

• The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA and mathematics
• The California Science Test

For more information, click on these links:

• http://www.caaspp.org/administration/about/caa/index.html
• https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/altassessment.asp

Source: http://www.caaspp.org/administration/about/caa/index.html

California Science Test (CAST)

Since the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS), the California Department of Education has been developing a new science assessment — the California Science Test (CAST) — based on the CA NGSS.

The statewide California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System includes federally required science assessments in:

• Grade 5
• Grade 8
• Once in high school (grade 10, 11, or 12)

This science assessment is the new CAST.

For more information, click here.

Source: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/caasppscience.asp

ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessment for California)

State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of English language proficiency (ELP) to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve.

The ELPAC will be aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards.

It consists of two separate ELP assessments:

• One for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs)
• One for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student’s level of ELP

For more information:

• CDE ELPAC Information
• ELPAC.org

Source: https://www.elpac.org/

Physical Fitness

Physical Fitness is assessed in grades 5, 7, and 9 each school year in accordance with State mandates.

The physical fitness test designated for California public students is the FITNESSGRAM, developed by The Cooper Institute.

The test assesses six major fitness areas, including:

• Aerobic capacity (cardiovascular endurance)
• Body composition (percentage of body fat)
• Abdominal strength and endurance
• Trunk strength and flexibility
• Upper body strength and endurance
• Overall flexibility

A number of test options are provided so that most students can participate.

Click here to view the Physical Fitness Test results. Enter Willows Unified in the search field and click submit.

Source: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/