ASSESSMENTS & ACCOUNTABILITY
2020 Standardized Testing Suspended
SACRAMENTO – To reduce the strain on students, families and educators during the COVID-19 outbreak, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on March 18th, 2020 to waive, pending federal approval, this year’s statewide testing for California’s more than 6 million students in K-12 schools.
“This time is stressful enough for students, families and educators without the additional burden of annual testing,” said Governor Newsom. “This is an unprecedented time, and our main focus is on supporting the mental and socioemotional health of students, while continuing to provide educational opportunities such as distance learning.”
“I appreciate the Governor’s leadership here and recognizing that under the current circumstances, the last thing our students need is to be confronted with a test,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “Our districts need some relief and this decision is in the best interest of our students and our state.”
“As schools are struggling to maintain instruction, feed students, and provide child care, they need to focus first and foremost on these pressing responsibilities,” said California State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. “The safety and well-being of children and staff has to be our No. 1 concern. We do not want concerns about testing to distract them from their critical work at this time of national emergency.”
The Governor’s full executive order can be found here.
“This time is stressful enough for students, families and educators without the additional burden of annual testing,” said Governor Newsom. “This is an unprecedented time, and our main focus is on supporting the mental and socioemotional health of students, while continuing to provide educational opportunities such as distance learning.”
“I appreciate the Governor’s leadership here and recognizing that under the current circumstances, the last thing our students need is to be confronted with a test,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “Our districts need some relief and this decision is in the best interest of our students and our state.”
“As schools are struggling to maintain instruction, feed students, and provide child care, they need to focus first and foremost on these pressing responsibilities,” said California State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. “The safety and well-being of children and staff has to be our No. 1 concern. We do not want concerns about testing to distract them from their critical work at this time of national emergency.”
The Governor’s full executive order can be found here.
CAASPP Electronic Student Score Reports
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Electronic student score reports (SSRs) will be made available to parents/guardians through the Parent Portal for the following state assessments:
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CALIFORNIA ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE & PROGRESS (CAASPP)
The CAASPP System includes computer-based assessments that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
- Smarter Balanced System of Assessments (SBAC)
Aligned with the CCSS for English-language arts/Literacy and mathematics, for students in grades 3-8 and grade 11.
- California Science Test (CAST)
The CDE is developing a new science assessment, for students in grades 5-8 and once in high school.
- California Alternate Assessments (CAAs)
The CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and Science are aligned with alternate achievement standards—called the Core Content Connectors (CCCs)—and linked to the California Content Standards. Only eligible students may participate.
CAASPP Parent Letter
STARTING SMARTER
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“Starting Smarter,” family websites for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).
Using these websites, families can become involved in their child’s progress and:
Click here to view the flyer in English. Click here to view the flyer in Spanish. |
EARLY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (EAP)
EAP is a program that assesses students for college-readiness in grade 11 of high school.
Each spring, all grade eleven students in California take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. These assessments, which are administered as part of the CAASPP System, also serve as an indicator of readiness for college-level coursework in English and mathematics and are used by the California State University (CSU) and participating California Community Colleges (CCCs) to determine EAP status.
Read more about EAP on CDE web page
OTHER EAP RESOURCES
CSU Success Web site | GreatKids State Test Guide for Parents | Reporting Achievement Level Descriptors | Claim Achievement Level Descriptors
Each spring, all grade eleven students in California take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. These assessments, which are administered as part of the CAASPP System, also serve as an indicator of readiness for college-level coursework in English and mathematics and are used by the California State University (CSU) and participating California Community Colleges (CCCs) to determine EAP status.
Read more about EAP on CDE web page
OTHER EAP RESOURCES
CSU Success Web site | GreatKids State Test Guide for Parents | Reporting Achievement Level Descriptors | Claim Achievement Level Descriptors
CAASPP STUDENT SCORE REPORT
A report that shows how students in grades 3-11 scored on the CAASPP assessments for English language arts/literacy and mathematics.
NEW CAASPP Assessment Student Score Reports will be available online through Parent Portal. Here are two Guides to assist you with understanding the score report. Click here to view the sample report.
Now posted on the California Department of Education (CDE) Web site is the video Understanding Your 2017–18 Student Score Report. Approximately five-minutes in length, this video is an excellent resource for parents and students to help them better understand the 2017–18 Student Score Report, which details the student’s standardized testing results.
Now posted on the California Department of Education (CDE) Web site is the video Understanding Your 2017–18 Student Score Report. Approximately five-minutes in length, this video is an excellent resource for parents and students to help them better understand the 2017–18 Student Score Report, which details the student’s standardized testing results.
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Understanding the Student Score Report
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OTHER RESOURCES
Guides on the CDE website | Starting Smarter Website | CAASPP Test Results - State, County District & School
Guides on the CDE website | Starting Smarter Website | CAASPP Test Results - State, County District & School
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Student achievement results are presented annually to the Board of Education in the fall of each year. These reports focus on the Strategic Plan goals as well as other measures.
MUSD 2014-2016 SBAC Growth and Performance - Board Report Sept. 13, 2016
MUSD 2015-2016 CAASPP Growth and Performance - CBAC Report Oct. 27, 2016
SBAC Report to MUSD Board of Trustees, August 28, 2015
CAASP 2015 Results
MUSD 2014-2016 SBAC Growth and Performance - Board Report Sept. 13, 2016
MUSD 2015-2016 CAASPP Growth and Performance - CBAC Report Oct. 27, 2016
SBAC Report to MUSD Board of Trustees, August 28, 2015
CAASP 2015 Results
CONNECTING LEARNING TO LIFE
A New Approach
Milpitas Unified School District students are on the path! The State of California worked with other states, educators, business leaders, and colleges to define the skills needed for students to graduate college and be career-ready. Along with other states, we have shifted our focus to teaching these higher thinking skills, and regularly check progress to ensure our students are moving toward their learning goals. Now, with the new assessments that measure growth over time, we will have the information we need to adjust teaching and improve learning, increasing each student’s opportunity to succeed.
It's a New World.....Take a peek inside your child's backpack for a window into changes in the classroom. You will find that:
Expectations are higher and deeper – students are asked to explain reasoning, support arguments with evidence from texts, and persevere in solving real world problems.
Students are evaluated to ensure they are making progress – students and teachers review work to check understanding and revise teaching and learning where weaknesses are identified.
Rapid response when challenges are identified – with good information teachers can course correct before students fall off track.
Milpitas Unified School District students are on the path! The State of California worked with other states, educators, business leaders, and colleges to define the skills needed for students to graduate college and be career-ready. Along with other states, we have shifted our focus to teaching these higher thinking skills, and regularly check progress to ensure our students are moving toward their learning goals. Now, with the new assessments that measure growth over time, we will have the information we need to adjust teaching and improve learning, increasing each student’s opportunity to succeed.
It's a New World.....Take a peek inside your child's backpack for a window into changes in the classroom. You will find that:
Expectations are higher and deeper – students are asked to explain reasoning, support arguments with evidence from texts, and persevere in solving real world problems.
Students are evaluated to ensure they are making progress – students and teachers review work to check understanding and revise teaching and learning where weaknesses are identified.
Rapid response when challenges are identified – with good information teachers can course correct before students fall off track.
Preparing our students for the future
STAR testing has been replaced by the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).
The tests are interactive, challenging and uniquely accessible with questions that require higher level thinking skills, look like real life problems, and are similar to expected classroom work. Most important, it provides information that informs action in the classroom.
The tests are interactive, challenging and uniquely accessible with questions that require higher level thinking skills, look like real life problems, and are similar to expected classroom work. Most important, it provides information that informs action in the classroom.
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Level 4
Exceeded the Standard 
Level 3
Met the Standard 
Level 1
Has Not Met the Standard 
Level 2 Nearly Met the Standard |
OTHER RESOURCES
An Academic Checkup Video
California State PTA
Math Resources for Parents
What's Cooking with Common Core Video
Parent Information on California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Program
SBAC Test Construction & Claims
California State PTA
Math Resources for Parents
What's Cooking with Common Core Video
Parent Information on California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Program
SBAC Test Construction & Claims
