California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

2022 Update

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, is the standardized academic testing that students across the state take every spring. This assessment has been on pause for the KSD for the last two springs due to the pandemic. In spring of 2021 the KSD used MAP Growth in lieu of CAASPP to meet the state’s requirement of an annual standardized Spring assessment.

The state is returning to requiring Districts to administer CAASPP testing this year in an effort to provide valuable information about student progress. This tool is an online, computer-adaptive assessment in English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Mathematics for 3rd - 8th grade students. In addition, the California Science Test will be required to be administered to all 5th and 8th grade students beginning in 2022.

KSD 3rd - 8th grade students may participate in the CAASPP testing between May 2 - June 3rd. See the site specific CAASPP testing calendars here - Kent CAASPP Testing calendar and Bacich CAASPP Testing calendar. To learn more about CAASPP, visit the California Department of Education (CDE) webpage. Individual student score reports displaying CAASPP results will be sent home to parents in August and will include an overall score and a description of the student’s achievement level for ELA, Mathematics and Science if applicable.

Results from the CAASPP assessments will be used, along with other assessment data, to determine the impact of our academic programs and to develop instructional goals and plans.

As a parent/guardian, you have the option of excusing your child from CAASPP testing. If you would like to excuse your child from the test, you must submit your request in writing to the school principal prior to the first day of testing. We will grant your request; however, we ask that if your child has started testing, they complete all test sections remaining. We will make alternative arrangements for your child during the assigned testing periods.

If you have any questions regarding CAASPP, feel free to contact your child’s school principal.

CAASPP Tips

You are an important part of your child’s education. To help your child get ready for the test you can:

• Talk about the test with your child. Make sure they are not scared or anxious.
• Tell your child that you and their teacher have high expectations and are both there to help, every step of the way.
• Take a practice test with your child.
• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.
• Your child will be allowed to eat a snack before testing each day next week. Please consider packing an extra snack for him/her to eat.
• If possible, please refrain from making appointments for your child during their testing window (doctor, dentist, etc.).

Since 2016, Kentfield students in third through eighth grade have participated in the annual administration of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) for English Language Arts and Mathematics.

The assessment measures student skill mastery and depth of understanding, writing, research, and problem-solving skills more thoroughly than past assessment tests.

Since the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS) in 2013, the California Department of Education has been developing a new science assessment—the California Science Test (CAST)—aligned with these standards. In 2018-2019, science assessments will be given to students in fifth and eighth grades, however because this is the first administration of CAST, science results will not be official.

• 2017 District Results
• 2016 District Results
• 2015 District Results

• Learn more about CAASPP from California PTA.
• Parents Guide to CAASPP

Starting Smarter

Using this websites, families can become involved in their child’s progress and:

• Learn more about the performance areas in each subject and grade.
• See sample test questions.
• Prepare for parent-teacher conferences with a useful downloadable guide.
• Access high-quality resources to support learning at home.

Starting Smarter for the CAASPP can be found at ca.startingsmarter.org.

Learn more about the Starting Smarter website in English and in Spanish.