CAASPP 2015 FAQs
What is CAASPP?
CAASPP is the California Assessment of Student Performance
and Progress—the statewide mandated assessment system for
the measurement of student proficiency.
What are the formats of these tests like?
The ELA and math assessments are often referred to as the
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) assessments.
Students take SBAC assessments on a computer. Science
assessments are paper and pencil based assessments.
Which students will participate in CAASPP?
Students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 will take English-language
arts (ELA) and math assessments. Additionally, students in
grades 5, 8, and 10 will take a science assessment.
Will all students participate in CAASPP?
Yes, with some exceptions: students who have been opted-out of
the assessments through written notice by their parents will not
participate in specified assessments. Additionally, EnglishLearners who have been in the country less than 12 months will
not participate in the ELA assessments.
How will students take the computer based tests?
In EGUSD, students will take the SBAC ELA and math
assessments on a desktop, laptop, or Chromebook. These
computers have a special “secure browser” that allows students
to log into their particular tests, and ensures the tests remain
secure, and students stay on task. The tests are also computer
adaptive.
What does computer adaptive mean?
Computer adaptive assessments can adjust the difficulty of the
questions being asked while the test is still being administered.
When a student selects a correct response, the test gets harder.
When a student selects an incorrect response, the test gets
easier. Various college entrance exams use this same method,
and the idea is basically that the test keeps putting out simpler or
more difficult questions until the test has enough information to
definitively assess a student's ability.
What’s the benefit of computer adaptive testing?
Computer adaptive testing is less stressful for the student,
because when students receive test questions they can answer,
testing anxiety and fatigue are reduced. Computer adaptive
testing also makes for a more precise score that can be
determined with fewer questions.
When will these assessments be administered?
Testing schedules are school specific; but the district is
recommending that the tests be administered to students in the
last 5 to 6 weeks of school so that their performance reflects an
033.0215.361
accurate picture of an entire year’s worth of instruction. For more
specific information, contact your school.
What types of questions are on these tests?
Because the SBAC assessments are computer based tests,
question formats are much more flexible than with paper and
pencil based tests. While the SBAC assessments feature many of
the traditional multiple choice questions, they also have new and
unique questions where students drag and drop, draw lines and
graph, fill in answers, and listen to audio passages.
How long are these tests?
The SBAC ELA and math tests are estimated to last about 7
hours and 30 minutes on average, combined. The science
assessments in grades 5, 8, and 10 are estimated to take about 2
hours.
Will students have a break?
Yes, the tests are designed to be administered in several
sessions, each about an hour long with breaks in between.
Schools and teachers have the ability to determine how long each
testing session will be, and how many test sessions to give each
day.
What if a student needs more time?
All CAASPP assessments are untimed and students can have as
much time as they need to finish.
Will students receive scores this year?
Yes, students who take the SBAC ELA, SBAC math, and paper
based science tests will receive scores. Approximately 4 weeks
after students finish an SBAC assessment; their scores will
become available online to school officials. In the fall, paper
copies of student scores will be mailed to parents.
How can students prepare for the SBAC assessments?
Teachers and school officials continue to lead students through
the SBAC practice and training tests available online. The
practice and training tests are designed to help students become
familiar with what the tests and questions are like, and they are
completely open to the public. Parents and community members
are encouraged to see these resources for themselves; they can
be found online. Please open Chrome/Firefox and copy this
location into the address bar: http://capt.tds.airast.org/student
What if students need additional support to test to the best of
their ability?
Each test has a specified set of universal tools, designated
supports, and accommodations that are available to help
students. While accommodations are only available to students
with IEP or 504 plans, teachers are able to offer designated
supports to assist any student who regularly uses them in class.
Research and Evaluation
Elk Grove Unified School District