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 grades 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

• Starting Smarter Website for Parents
  • Understanding Your CAASPP Student Score Report
    • California Department of Education created a website for parents and students to help them better understand the Student Score Report, which details the student's standardized testing results.  

• California Starting Smarter – English
• California Starting Smarter – Spanish

• 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. 
    • Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments 
      • English Version
      • Additional Available Language Translations
    • California Science Tests
      • English Version
      • Additional Available Language Translations
    • California Alternate Assessments
      • English 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
      • The 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, questions and answers, and additional parent resources in English and Spanish.