State Mandated Testing
The Smarter Balanced Assessment System will give parents and students more accurate and actionable information about what students are learning. Because these assessments are computer adaptive, they will also provide better information about the needs and successes of individual students. These next-generation assessments are aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English language arts/literacy and mathematics for grades 3-8 and 11. That means students in all states will be taught to the same high standards.
The Smarter Balanced approach includes a number of differences from most state assessments today.
- These assessments will be administered online and will go beyond multiple choice questions to include performance tasks that allow students to demonstrate research, writing, and analytical skills.
- In addition to a year-end test, teachers will be able to administer interim assessments throughout the school year to monitor student progress and make adjustments to instruction.
- Accommodations for students with disabilities and English language learners will be built into the system so that the progress of students can be accurately measured.
- An online reporting system will provide clear, easy-to-understand data on student achievement and growth. These reports will present parents, teachers, principals, and other local and state leaders with information they can use to help students make even greater progress. Learn more about the development of the Smarter Balanced reporting system.
It is recommended that parents and children visit the following webpage and take the practice test, to understand the rigor and level of difficulty of the new stat assessments.
http://www.smarterbalanced.org/practice-test/
California English Language Development Test (CELDT)monitors the progress of English learners. Grades K-5.
FITNESSGRAM: Physical Fitness Test for grade 5.
District Mandated Testing:
Includes theAnalytic Reading Inventory(ARI) for grades 4 & 5 and theDevelopmental Reading Assessment(DRA) for grades 1 & 3. Fifth graders are also given a mathematics exit exam used for placement at the middle school level. The district also monitors student progress with quarterly Interim Assessmentsin mathematics and language arts that are aligned to theSmarter Blanced Assessment and adminsitered online for grades 3-5
Special Education Testing:
Parents may request that a district psychologist and resource specialist evaluate their children for learning disabilities. Requests are to be made to the principal. An Instructional Study Team (IST) will meet with the parent or guardian to determine the appropriateness of the request.
Performance:
- School Accountability Report Card (SARC)