A New Era in Measuring Students’ Mathematical Knowledge Is Coming:
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
Is your school ready?
In the spring of 2015, California students from 3rd through 8th and 11th grades will officially take the first California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). This assessment—which replaces the STAR test—includes the Smarter Balanced assessment and reflects the California Common Core Curriculum and Practice Standards. Your school and your students can be ready!
CMC hopes the following resources will be helpful in your preparations for the new assessment.
Each subtitle below is a live link to its respective web page.
Smarter Balanced Assessment System
The most dramatic change will be the use of the computer-based Smarter Balanced Assessment. California is one of 23 states belonging to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. Our new tests will be based upon their system.
Read About One School’s Efforts to Be Ready
Wilson Middle School in Chowchilla shares how they prepared their school and students to be ready for doing well on the new Common Core-based state assessment.
Practice and Pilot Tests
The Smarter Balanced Practice Tests provide an early look at sets of assessment questions aligned to the Common Core for grades 3–8 and 11 in both English language arts/literacy and mathematics. As a teacher, you owe it to your students to take the pilot test yourself. That way you will know what will be asked of your students.
Sample Test Questions
These sample tasks are intended to provide an early look into the mathematics understanding that will be measured by the new assessment system. While these items are not intended as sample tests, use them to plan instruction to help students meet the demands of the new assessments. Try them with your students.
2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test
This spring, students across California will experience a “no stakes” field test of the Smarter Balanced assessments. The purpose for the Field Test is to establish levels of student achievement in the new assessment. Visit this site to learn all about the Field Test and the Achievement Level Descriptors for mathematics.
Teacher Resources
Many organizations have developed resources to explain the Standards and help teachers support student success in the classroom. These fact-sheets, videos, and instructional resources provide detailed information for educators, parents, and policymakers about the college and career-ready Standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use these FAQs to assist your school with transitioning from the former state assessments to the Smarter Balanced assessments. The FAQs may be used to ensure understanding among your staff regarding the universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations available for the Smarter Balanced assessments.
For More About the CA Common Core Implementation
If you would like to learn more about California’s implementation of the Common Core State Standards, visit the California Department of Education web pages.
Please forward this message to teachers and administrators in your school district
For more CA Standards resources and articles for educators, visit
CMC’s Common Core Resource web page
