1. science
2. mathematics

PREPARING TODAY’S STUDENTS FOR
TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE
Placer County students are taking part in the first
administration of the California Assessment of Student
Performance and Progress (CAASPP) this spring in grades
three through eight and grade eleven. CAASPP is California’s
new comprehensive assessment system that replaces the
STAR system that has been in use since 1998. CAASPP is
designed to measure college and career readiness and give
teachers timely information to support students’ academic
growth. The new assessments include computer-based
tests that replace the former paper-pencil multiple choice
tests in English Language Arts and Math. The tests are an
academic checkup, designed to give teachers the feedback
they need to improve instruction.
“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
CALIFORNIA ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND PROGRESS
New Math assessment:
New English Language Arts assessment:
•
Challenges students to demonstrate critical
thinking and problem solving and apply their
mathematic knowledge in real-world situations
•
•
Goes beyond multiple choice questions and
presents students with multistep problems,
conceptual questions and performance tasks
Asks students to read more complex
information and technical texts, use evidence
from a variety of texts to answer questions,
make inferences and present information in a
variety of ways
•
Emphasizes literacy across all subject areas
•
Measures progress in writing and effective
communication at every grade level
•
Asks students to explain how they arrived at the
correct answer
•
Covers fewer topics in greater depth, focusing
on the most critical areas
Like the new academic standards, the tests are fundamentally different from the old exams, and
no reliable comparisons can or should be made between the old and the new tests. This year’s
test results will help establish expectations for progress over time (a baseline). They also include
a greater variety of questions and are more secure than paper tests. These online tests are faster
to score, giving teachers and parents more timely information about each student’s progress.
A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM
The tests are part of a comprehensive assessment
system being rolled out over the next year that supports
the implementation of the new academic standards
adopted by California. This isn’t just a new test, it’s
a system of new teaching, new curriculum and new
materials. When fully implemented, CAASPP will include
multiple check points throughout the year that allow
teachers to adjust instruction to better support and
personalize student learning. As students spend more
time with the new approach, they will demonstrate
greater understanding.
“California has adopted more rigorous
academic standards and thus it makes sense
that we will now test students based on their
ability to apply critical thinking and analytical
skills to a subject matter. Although the new
testing model is a big change from what was
done in the past, these standards set a higher
bar to ensure that California students are
better prepared to succeed in the future.”
—Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Placer County Superintendent of Schools
WHAT ARE THE NEW TESTS TRYING TO
ACCOMPLISH?
We live in a constantly changing world, saturated with
information and new ideas. In order for our students
to become adults 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. It means learning to combine information
and use thinking tools such as research, writing and
problem solving to create new information.
WHAT ARE 21ST CENTURY SKILLS?
CRITICAL THINKING
COMMUNICATION
COLLABORATION
CREATIVITY
College and career readiness standards and assessments will improve student achievement
over time as teachers and students become familiar with the new standards and tests. The ELA
and Math assessments are more challenging than California’s old tests, with content that will
be needed to prepare for college and the 21st century job market. These new assessments set a
higher bar and provide a more comprehensive picture of how students are progressing.
WHAT CHANGES CAN WE EXPECT?
California standards are demanding a shift in how teachers
facilitate learning. Instruction should include:
• Emphasis on mastery of traditional content but with
application to a technologically and globally complex world
• Hands on experiences, opportunities to experiment and
learn from mistakes
• Real world, relevant and cross-curricular instruction
Parents are valued partners and can play an important
role in providing children with opportunities to learn and
explore. You can give your child feedback on what’s working
and what’s not and encourage their persistence both when
they succeed and when they make mistakes. Ask your
children questions. Ask their teachers questions. Look for
ways to engage their curiosity beyond the school walls.
RESOURCES
Smarter Balanced assessment consortium: smarterbalanced.org/parents-students/
What the CCSS means at each grade level: pta.org/parentsguide