The Smarter Balanced Assessments are the comprehensive end of year assessments in English Language arts/literacy and mathematics that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics and measure progress toward college and career readiness.  The tests capitalize on the strengths of computer adaptive testing – efficient and precise measurement across the full range of achievement and timely turnaround of results.  All students in grade three through eight and grade eleven take these assessments, with the exception of those students who have an individualized education program that designates the use of an alternate assessment. 

Parent Resources Links

• New 2017-18 CAASPP Score Report Video for Parents
  
  • Understanding Your 2017-18 Student Score Report
    • California Department of Education created a video resource for parents and students to help them better understand the 2017-18 Student Score Report, which details the student's standardized testing results.  
  • Comó interpretar el Informe de Puntaje Estudiantil de la prueba CAASPP
    • Este video les ayudará a usted y a su hijo a comprender el Informe de Puntaje Estudiantil 2017-18 con los resultados de las pruebas de fin de año. Los distritos recibirán un Informe de Puntaje Estudiantil para cada estudiante. Estos informes serán distribuidos a los padres.

• New Parent Guides to Understanding the CAASPP System
  •  These two-page flyers, written in easy-to-understand language, answer key questions (what, why, who, how, and when) about the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, California Science Test, and California Alternate Assessments.  Information about how parents can support their student's success is included.  Click on the language version of your choice to view the flyer. 
    • Summative Assessments 
      • English Version
      • Spanish Version
      • Additional Available Language Translations
    • California Science Tests
      • English Version
      • Spanish Version
      • Additional Available Language Translations

• California Science Tests
  
  • Since the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS), the California Department of Education has been developing a new science assessment–the California Science Test (CAST)–based on the CA NGSS. The statewide California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System includes federally required science assessments in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade ten, eleven, or twelve). This science assessment is the new CAST.  
• Practice and Training Tests 
  • The Practice Tests provide students with grade-specific testing experiences that are similar in structure and format to the Summative Assessments. The Training Tests provide students with the opportunity to quickly become familiar with the software and interactive features.  The Training Tests are organized by grade-bands (e.g. 3-5). 
• Smarter Balanced Sample Test Items
  • Website provides examples of test questions used on the Smarter Balanced assessments in English language arts/Literacy and math.  Experience the test items just as students encounter them!
• Smarter Balanced Parents and Student Page
  • Provides access to fact sheets, question and answers, and additional parent resources in English and Spanish.