Download - CAASPP Communication
CAASPP Communication Guide
Part of a Comprehensive Plan for Student Success Knowing that public schools are preparing students for the challenges of the future, California has developed
a comprehensive plan for high-quality instruction and learning in every school. We have a long way to go,
but our work is well under way, with higher academic standards, more decision-making in the hands of schools and communities, and more resources dedicated to schools and to students with the greatest needs.
Gradually, we’re providing more support for teachers, more resources for students and more access to
technology. Students are learning to read to cite evidence and draw logical conclusions; and learning to use
math to solve real-world problems rather than choose the correct multiple-choice answer. The system-wide
changes are focused on helping students succeed in the long run, achieving their dreams of college, and a
career.
Why are new assessments needed in California? California has adopted more rigorous academic standards that emphasize not only subject knowledge, but
also the critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem-solving skills students needed to be successful.
These standards set a higher bar for California students to ensure they are prepared for their futures. The
new assessment system represents the next step in a comprehensive plan to promote high-quality teaching
and learning and improve student outcomes. This plan recognizes that assessments play an important role
in promoting and modeling high-quality instruction.
Tests Measure Real-World Skills As the world and workforce evolve, what and how we teach our children must also evolve so they are
prepared to live and work in a fast-changing world. Over the course of their lives, our children will have to
apply what they know in ways we can’t imagine. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are important for
students as they prepare for success in college, career, and life. These skills can’t be measured by multiple-
choice questions alone or paper and pencil tests.
How will this system help improve teaching and learning? The Smarter Balanced assessments are an academic check-up, designed to give teachers the feedback they
need to improve instruction. The system provides two types of interim assessments that teachers and
schools can use to assess student learning at key points in the instructional year and to measure student
preparedness for year-end summative tests. Both of these tests provide information for teachers to adjust
and differentiate teaching in response to the results. The system provides a Digital Library of professional
learning and instructional resources to help teachers assess individual student learning during instruction,
provide feedback to students in a timely manner, and adjust teaching and learning as needed.
Expanding CAASPP Focus groups met in spring 2015 to make recommendations to the CAASPP System. Considerations
included the addition of history/social science, technology, visual and performing arts, and end-of-course
mathematics. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) is required to make recommendations to
the State Board of Education by March 1, 2016.
AUBURN UNION
SCHOOL DISTRICT
255 Epperle Lane
Auburn, CA 95603
CAASPP Communication Guide
Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce
BUSINESS LEADERS NEED EMPLOYEES who can put skills and knowledge to work to solve problems.
Our community is part of a state-wide effort to develop and implement
next generation academic assessments. With nearly 2/3 of all jobs requiring
at least some postsecondary education, we are working with the business
community and educators to ensure our students graduate high school
prepared for college and the jobs of tomorrow.
This spring, our students are took part in the first administration of the
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) in
grades three rough eight and grade eleven. These assessments take
advantage of 21st century technology including innovative test items that go
beyond multiple choice questions to include research and writing tasks that
measure critical thinking and problem solving needed in college level
courses and the workplace.
RETOOLING THE SYSTEM TO FUEL CREATIVITY,
INNOVATION AND ADAPTABILITY To prepare students to compete in, and contribute to, a 21st century global
economy, significant changes are being made in our instruction and
assessment systems. CAASPP Is fundamentally different from the old exams
as we measure a deeper set of skills and knowledge from students. No
reliable comparisons can or should be made between the old and new tests.
These new assessments set a higher bar and provide a more comprehensive
picture of how students are progressing.
This year’s test results will establish new expectations and
represent the next step in measuring student performance and
developing a comprehensive plan to promote high quality
teaching and learning to improve student outcomes.
“A highly skilled work force can
raise economic growth by about
two-thirds of a percentage point
every year. Worldwide, the average
annual GDP growth rate for more
than half a century is 2 – 3%, so
that is a significant boost.”
—21stcenturyskills.org
NEW ECONOMY
KNOWLEDGE IS THE RAW
MATERIAL OF BUSINESS Our future economic prosperity depends on
highly skilled graduates who can be the
innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors of
tomorrow. Our work force demands that
our graduates exercise critical thinking and
persist as they solve complex problems,
communicate effectively both verbally and in
writing, work together with diverse partners
in a variety of settings.
EDUCATING THE NEXT
GENERATION OF CITIZENS We live in a constantly changing world,
saturated with information and new ideas.
In order for our students to become
productive citizens who can successfully
navigate this world, they have to learn how
to use and apply information in flexible
ways. This means learning the qualities of
good information, where it comes from,
what it can be used for and how to use it in
multiple contexts.
COLLABORATION CRITICAL THINKING CREATIVITY COMMUNICATION
AUBURN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT 255 EPPERLE LANE AUBURN, CA 95603 530.885-7242 www.auburn.k12.ca.us
Laura Grassmann, PhD, Superintendent
LIDERES DE NEGOCIOS NESESITAN EMPLEADOS que puedan poner habilidades y conocimiento en el empleo y que puedan
resolver problemas. Nuestra comunidad es parte de un intento estatal de
desarrollo para implementar la próxima generación de evaluaciones
académicas. Con casi 2/3 de todos los puestos de trabajo requieren por lo
menos alguna educación postsecundaria, estamos trabajando con negocios
comunitarios y educadores para asegurar que nuestros estudiantes se
graduen de la preparatoria, esten preparados para la Universidad y para los
puestos de trabajo de mañana. Esta primavera, nuestros estudiantes
tomaron parte en la primera Administración de Evaluaciones de California
de Rendimiento y Progreso Estudiantil (mas conocida como: CAASPP) de
grados tres al ocho. Estas evaluaciones tomaron ventaja de la tecnología del
siglo XXI, incluyendo preguntas innovadoras que prueban más allá de
opciónes multiples, incluyendo investigación, escritura, pensamiento crítica y
el poder resolver problemas de nivel de Colegio y lugar de trabajo.
REORGANIZANDO EL SISTEMA PARA ESTIMULAR
CREATIVIDAD, INNOVACIÓN Y ADAPTABILIDAD Para preparar a los estudiantes a competir y contribuir a una economía
global del siglo 21, se están haciendo cambios significativos en nuestros
sistemas de instrucción y evaluación. CAASPP es fundamentalmente
diferente de los antiguos exámenes en como medimos un conjunto las
habilidades y el conocimiento de los estudiantes. No hay comparaciones
fiables entre las viejas y las nuevas pruebas. Estas nuevas evaluaciones
establecen medidas mas altas y ofrecen una visión más completa de cómo
los estudiantes están progresando.
Los resultados de este año estableceran nuevas expectativas y representan
el siguiente paso en la medición del desempeño de los estudiantes y el
desarrollo de un plan integral para promover enseñanza y aprendizaje de
alta calidad para mejorar los resultados de los estudiantes.
CONOCIMIENTO DE LA NUEVA
ECONOMÍA EL ES LA MATERIA
PRIMA DE NEGOCIO Nuestra prosperidad económica del futuro
depende de graduados altamente cualificados
que puedan ser los innovadores, empresarios
e inversionistas del mañana. Nuestra fuerza
laboral demanda que nuestros graduados
ejerzen pensamiento crítico, persistan en
resolver problemas complejos, se pueden
comunicar eficazmente (verbalmente y por
escrito), y puedan trabajar con diversos
grupos y en variedad de ambientes.
EDUCAR LA PRÓXIMA
GENERACIÓN DE CIUDADANOS Vivimos en un mundo en cambio constante,
saturado de información y nuevas ideas. Para
que nuestros estudiantes se conviertan en
ciudadanos productivos que pueden navegar
con éxito este mundo, tienen que aprender a
utilizar y aplicar información de manera
flexible. Esto significa aprender las cualidades
de buena información, determiner de dónde
viene, como se puede utilizar y cómo utilizarlo
en contextos multiples.
AUBURN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT 255 EPPERLE LANE AUBURN, CA 95603 530.885-7242 www.auburn.k12.ca.us
Laura Grassmann, PhD, Superintendent
PREPARACIÓN de ESTUDIANTES DE HOY PARA LA FUERZA LABORAL DE MAÑANA
COLABORACION PENSAMIENTO CRITÍCO CREATIVIDAD COMUNICACIÓN
"Una fuerza laboral altamente
calificada puede elevar el
crecimiento económico por cerca de
dos-tercios del punto porcentual
cada año. A nivel mundial, la tasa
media de crecimiento anual del PIB
durante más de medio siglo es 2-3
%, por lo que es un impulso
significativo." —21stcenturyskills.org
*Source: National PTA “Parents’ Guide to New Assessments in California.” This Guide was developed by the Center for Student Assessment and Program Accountability at the Sacramento County Office of Education for use by schools and school districts in communicating with their families about state testing in spring 2015.
A Family Guide to Understanding California’s New Testing System: Part I
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
This spring marks the second year of the new state testing program called the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress or CAASPP. Like last year, students in grades 3-8 and 11 will take this year’s tests in English-language arts and mathematics online using a computer. These tests are also known as the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Students in grades 5, 8, and 10 will also take paper and pencil science tests made up of multiple choice questions. In the next few years, these will be changing to online tests, and other tests in other subjects like history-social science, art, and technology will also be added. The CAASPP program is designed to give information to teachers, students, and their families about what students know and are able to do and whether they are on track to be ready for success in college or career when they graduate from high school. Test results will help identify and address gaps in knowledge or skills early on so students get the support they need to be ready for success in higher grades. New Standards Require New Tests California’s new standards (i.e. Common Core State Standards or CCSS) set higher expectations for our students than ever before. These higher expectations were carefully developed by classroom teachers, community colleges, colleges, universities, and leaders in the workforce. They represent the skills that today’s students need to succeed in college, career, and life. Skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and strong writing so that our children are competitive with peers from around the world. Measuring these skills requires different types of test questions. Test Results Will Be Reported This Spring Last year, students in California participated in what was called a field test, or a “test of the test”. That means students who participated tried out the new technology being used to give the test (computers, laptops, tablets). They also tried out the test questions. Most importantly, last year’s field test gave students and their teachers a chance to have a trial run with the new testing system. That experience gave students and teachers the confidence needed to help them succeed this spring. Because last year’s field test was a “test of the test”, results were not given for individual students, classrooms, or schools. This is the first year that results will be given to individual students and reported to families and the general public. Results Set New Baseline for Student Achievement Results from the new tests are measured differently and cannot be compared to results from the previous Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program. Because the tests in each system measure different things in different ways, comparing their results would be like comparing apples to oranges. Think of this year as us hitting the reset button. This year’s results will set a new starting point for student achievement, against which we can compare performance for years to come. New Test Results Are Just One Measure You receive information about how your child is doing in school through grades on tests and classroom assignments, as well as by talking with your child’s teacher. The new test results will give you another piece of information about how well your child is learning what is expected for his or her grade and how well your child is doing compared to other students in the same grade. Think of the test results as one part of an academic “wellness” check for your child – similar to when you take your child to the doctor for their annual checkups. The test results, combined with all the other information you have about your child, give you a good sense of where your child is doing well and where he or she might benefit from some extra help. And, most importantly this information will give insight into your child’s readiness for college and career early enough to address any areas where he or she might need extra support. Online Tests Engage Students and Provide Personalized Experiences Students use technology all the time so taking the tests online will be familiar for them. Unlike paper and pencil tests that have mostly multiple choice questions, the online tests give students many different types of questions that allow students to interact with the test questions in new and different ways. For some of the math questions, for example, your child might be asked to drag and drop things from one place on the screen to another or draw a graph to solve a problem. Taking the tests online also allows students to use different tools that they might need like a calculator on some math problems, a glossary when taking the reading part of the test, or a highlighter that they can use to highlight important parts of a long paragraph.
AUBURN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT 255 Epperle Lane, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone 530.885.7242 | Fax 530.885.5170
www.auburn.k12.ca.us
Laura Grassmann, PhD Superintendent
ALTA VISTA COMMUNITY CHARTER AUBURN ELEMENTARY E.V. CAIN STEM CHARTER ROCK CREEK SKYRIDGE
These online tests are called “computer-adaptive.” That means they adjust the difficulty of the questions based on the answers that students give. Unlike paper and pencil testing where most students were given the exact same test with the exact same questions, the online tests give different testing experiences for every student. As students answer questions correctly, they receive more challenging questions. Incorrect answers trigger easier questions. This feature helps keep students engaged, shortens testing time for many students, and provides more accurate results especially for low or high achieving students. Grades and Subjects for Spring 2015 Testing The table below shows the subjects and grade levels where students will be tested. For example, if your student is in 5th grade, they will take tests this spring in English-language arts, mathematics, and science. A student in 9th grade will not take any state tests this spring as part of the CAASPP program.
Subject Area Grades Tested Test Type
English-language Arts Grades 3-8 and 11 Computer-adaptive
Mathematics Grades 3-8 and 11 Computer-adaptive
Science Grades 5, 8, and 10 Paper and Pencil
Testing Schedule Most schools will test their students between the middle of March and the middle of May. You will receive additional information from your school about the specific days and times of testing. Preparing and Supporting Your Child*
Discuss the new tests with your child. Make sure he or she is not scared or anxious going into the new tests.
With older children, explain that the new tests were created to help him or her better prepare for college and career.
Explain to your child that the new tests will be more challenging the first few times they take them.
Tell your child that you and his or her teacher have high expectations and that you are both there to help them every step of the way.
Review test results with your child, bringing your child’s teacher into the discussion as necessary.
Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.
For More Information Your child’s teacher or principal is the best place to start if you have other questions about testing this spring. Practice tests are available at http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/. The practice tests can be taken by parents, teachers, students, and others and will give information about the type of test questions that students will see in different grades and subject areas.