What You Need to Know About State Testing
As a public charter school, we are required to participate in in-person state assessments.
California State Testing
As a public charter school, we are required to participate in in-person state assessments. If your students are in grades 3 through 8 and/or 11, please plan to attend testing during the end of April and the month of May. Students in grades 5, 7 and 9 should plan to take part in in-person physical fitness testing (typically) in February.
Physical Fitness
- Applies to students in grades 5, 7, and 9
- Conducted on February 18, 20, and 25, 2025
State Assessments
- Applies to students in grades 3 through 8 and 11
- Conducted in late April – May
ELPAC
- Applies to students designated as English Learners TK – 12
- Conducted in March – April
English Language Proficiency Assessment of California (ELPAC)
What is ELPAC?
State and federal law require the local educational agencies administer a state test of English Language Proficiency to eligible students.
Which grade levels test for ELPAC?
Eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve will be assessed.
ELPAC Assessments:
The ELPAC is aligned with California’s 2012 English Language Development Standards and is comprised of two separate ELP assessments:
1) Initial Assessment (IA)- an initial identification of students as English Learners
2) Summative Assessment (SA)- an annual summative assessment to measure English Learner’s progress in learning English and to identify students ELP level.
Starting Smarter
You are the expert on your child. Over the course of a school year, you receive a lot of information about how your child is performing that can be combined to give you a more complete picture of your child’s progress. In addition to report card grades and class tests, you can use the ELPAC score reports to better understand your child’s progress in learning English to start a conversation with your child’s teacher about how to even better support learning at home.
ELPAC Parent Guide
Smarter Balanced Assessments
What are Smarter Balanced Assessments?
In California, all students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 will participate in the Smarter Balanced tests, which include both ELA and mathematics content areas. In California, this test is called “California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress” (CAASPP). The Smarter Balanced assessments are designed to measure student progress toward college and career readiness and are administered online using school provided Chromebooks.
The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments are comprehensive end of year assessments in English language arts/literacy (ELA) 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.
Both the ELA and mathematics assessments are comprised of two parts:
(1) Computer adaptive test
(2) Performance task
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. The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments are administered when at least 66 percent of instructional year has been completed.
Practice Tests
Wondering what the platform for the test will look like? Or, wonder what types of questions will appear on the test? Check out the “Training Test” site to take:
- Practice Tests: Grade-specific testing experiences that are similar in structure and format to the Summative Assessment
- Training Tests: A quick glance to familiarize students with the software and interface features. The Training Tests are organized by grade-bands (e.g., 3-5).
Practice Test Instructions:
- Once you reach the Sign In page, “GUEST” will automatically be displayed in the “State-SSID”, “First Name”, and “Session ID”. Go ahead and click “sign in”. After you have signed in, you will be asked to select a grade from the drop down menu and then click “yes”. You will then be able to try out and practice the types of items that will appear on the test. Good luck!
Smarter Balanced Test Results: Parents
- The CAASPP System is intended to provide parents and students more accurate and actionable information about what students are learning. Because the Smarter Balanced Assessments, which are administered as part of the CAASPP System, are computer adaptive, these Assessments will also provide better information about the needs and successes of individual students.
- Beginning in April 2015, California public schools began using new statewide assessments in grades 3 – 8 and 11 in English Language Arts and Mathematics. We understand that you may have some questions about the state test your child took last year and the results you received. Please visit the CAASPP student score report information webpage by clicking here: Understand Your Child’s Student Score Report
State Testing Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does state testing benefit my child?
- The Smarter Balanced assessments are a key part of implementing the Common Core standards and preparing all students for success in college and careers. These new assessments provide an academic check-up and are designed to give teachers and parents more information to help students succeed. The scores from the new assessments represent a realistic baseline that provides a more accurate indicator for teachers, students, and parents as they work together to meet the rigorous demands of college and career readiness. See Site Resource
2. Does scoring well on state testing help determine the classes he/she should take next year?
- Student’s scores on state tests do not affect the student’s grade or ability to move on to the next grade level. Eleventh grade students have the option to release their CAASPP test scores to participating California State Universities (CSUs) and California Community Colleges (CCCs) as part of the Early Assessment Program (EAP) which provides students with an early indication of readiness for college-level course work in English and mathematics.
3. What is the purpose of state testing?
- In California, all public schools are mandated to participate in state testing and expected to reach a 95% student test participation which is set by the state. Students participating in testing is directly related to the School’s Accountability Report Card (SARC) which is a way for states to rank schools based on student performance on testing.
4. How does state testing benefit the school?
- State testing benefits California Online Public Schools by providing teachers with feedback regarding how students are doing both as a group as well as individually. This allows teachers to reflect on their lessons and instruction by identifying where students need more support. Also because testing is computer adaptive, it provides teachers with a more accurate picture of what skills students need more support on and teachers are better able to meet the needs of those individual students.
California Science Test (CAST)
What is CAST?
The California Science Test (CAST) is an online test based on the California Next Generation Science Standards. All local educational agencies (LEAs) with eligible students in grades 5, 8, and once during High School will administer the CAST.
Physical Fitness Testing (PFT)
What is Physical Fitness Testing?
In the Spring of 2025, all students in grades 5, 7, and 9 will participate in the Physical Fitness Test whether or not they are enrolled in a physical education class. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting life-long habits of regular physical activity.
What to Wear:
Be sure to wear comfortable, stretchy, breathable clothing that you can move in.
- Pants: Sweatpants, shorts appropriate in length, leggings.
- Tops: Cotton t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jersey material.
- Avoid: Cropped tops, tight Jeans, or overly baggy pants.
- Lace-up closed toe sneakers are best for testing.
- Avoid wearing open toed shoes, sandals or heels!
We will be outside so make sure to pay attention to the weather on your testing day.
- Dress appropriately with a sweatshirt or pants as needed.
*Remember: This is a school event so please dress appropriately.
What to expect on the testing day:
When you arrive, you will check in at the check in table.
Testing is a great time to meet your teachers and classmates (past, current, and future) face to face! Make sure to introduce yourself to others!
Have a little fun!
How do I find my student's Testing Location?
- Elementary: Reach out to your Homeroom Teacher
- Middle School: Reach out to your Homeroom Teacher
- High School: Reach out to your Homeroom Teacher
