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Science Test Updates

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The California Science Test (CAST) is an online assessment based on the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) . All local educational agencies (LEAs) with eligible students in grades five and eight and in high school will administer the CAST operational test. The CAST operational test uses the current California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test delivery system and will be administered online only.

Who takes the CAST operational test? The CAST is administered in grades five and eight and once to each student while that student is in high school. All students must take the CAST by the end of grade twelve, but have the option of testing in grade ten or grade eleven. Only eligible students may participate in the administration of the CAST. Students assigned to take an alternate assessment should take the California Alternate Assessment for Science.

CAST Video

Please watch this video to learn about the new standards and how they are being built into the new California Science Test (CAST). The video has information about the structure of the CAST and the types of questions students can expect to see on the assessment.

2019-2020 CAST Test Materials

Administration Materials

Test Coordinator Resources

Scoring Guides

Note: The CAST practice and training tests include all accessibility resources found in the operational assessments.

Practice Tests

Training Tests

Accessibility Resources

Desmos Calculators

Students taking the CAST will have access to the Desmos calculator during the entire test. These calculators will be automatically assigned to students based on their grade level. Students can resize and reposition the calculator on the screen as needed. The Desmos calculator is free and available all year via the Desmos website ,and is accessible for students using Job Access with Speech (JAWS®). Students can use this calculator during the school year to build familiarity with this resource.

Translated Test Directions

Science Reference Tools

The CAST assessments for grade eight and high school include a periodic table and a reference sheet of formulas that students may access during online testing as universal tools. The reference sheet provides all formulas that a student may need to use in responding to a test item; however, this does not imply that the student will receive a specific item type. The purposes of these reference tools are to signal that students do not need to memorize formula sheets and to ensure that students have equal access to the tools during testing. These reference tools are not meant to guide instruction.

An updated and accessible periodic table is available for all students on the practice and training tests. This periodic table can be resized and moved within the item and is accessible for students using JAWS.

A printable CAST periodic table has been provided as a resource intended for classroom use. This printable version closely resembles the online periodic table available in the CAST and can be downloaded and printed to give students practice using the periodic table in a format similar to the online version. We encourage students to practice using both types of periodic table resources throughout the year.

Files that contain a periodic table of elements and reference sheet of formulas-.brf and .prn files-are intended to be printed using a braille embosser.

See the Printing Enlarged Science Reference Tools quick start guide if the student requires the science reference tools to be enlarged and printed on 11×17 paper.

Periodic Table

Reference Sheet

Other Resources

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The California Science Test (CAST) is an online assessment based on the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) . All local educational agencies (LEAs) with eligible students in grades five and eight and in high school will administer the CAST operational test.

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Prompts for Assessment

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Home - OpenSciEd

Home - OpenSciEd

Our curriculum fosters deep, engaging science learning and is the only curriculum designed for the NGSS that has had every unit rated as quality -and it's freely available to anyone.

MAKING HIGH QUALITY SCIENCE EDUCATION AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS

TEACHERS TESTED & APPROVED

GROWING NETWORK OF TEACHERS

What Educators Say

"My students have begun to realize they have the power and knowledge to plan and investigate how the world works around them."

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To make the shifts in science education that today's science standards demand, we've created high quality instructional materials paired with transformative professional learning. Tied to our mission of providing high quality science learning for all students, we also have partnered with a variety of organizations that can offer additional materials and support to ensure the long-term success of your implementation. Learn more about the different paths for adopting our instructional materials.

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Testing & Accountability

Testing

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System

Item specifications describe how items for the CAST are developed to assess the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS).

The CAST item specifications provide details on each assessed dimension of a CA NGSS Performance Expectation (PE). The CA NGSS dimensions are Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs). Item writers use the item specifications to write the CAST multidimensional test questions, which are aligned with the CA NGSS. With these specifications, educators will gain a better understanding of the three-dimensional nature of the CAST; however, they are not intended to guide instruction. Educators can use the item specifications and the 2016 Science Framework for California Public Schools as resources for developing items for interim, benchmark, and summative assessments for the classroom.

Background

The item specifications are based on the PEs in the CA NGSS and are designed to help item writers write test questions for the CAST. The item specification for an individual PE describes how students can demonstrate their understanding of the PE on the CAST. An item specification also includes possible phenomena and any relevant Environmental Principles and Concepts associated with a PE. The grade five assessment draws on PEs from grades three through five (3–5) and includes the foundational concepts that are addressed in kindergarten through grade two (K–2). The grade eight assessment draws on PEs from grades six through eight (6–8), and the high school assessment draws on PEs from the grades nine through twelve (9–12). More information about the construction of the CAST can be found in the Revised CAST Blueprint (PDF).

The CAST item specifications were written for all 175 PEs (i.e., 45 for grade five; 59 for grade eight; and 71 for high school) assessed on the CAST. One item specification is available per PE. Each PE addresses at least one SEP, one DCI, and one CCC, and each item specification represents the integration of the three dimensions.

All 175 item specifications are now available. The item specifications will be updated annually on the basis of input from California educators.

Introduction to the California Science Test Item Content Specifications (DOCX)

Grade Five Assessment

There are 45 PEs that may be assessed on the CAST; these item specifications are presented individually and by content areas.

Grade 5 Earth and Space Sciences (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

Grade 5 Life Sciences (DOCX;Posted 26-Jul-2021)

Grade 5 Physical Sciences (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

Grade 5 Engineering, Technology, and Application of Science (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

Middle School (MS) Assessment

There are 59 PEs that may be assessed on the CAST; these item specifications are presented individually and by content areas.

MS Earth and Space Sciences (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

MS Life Sciences (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

MS Physical Sciences (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

MS Engineering, Technology, and Application of Science (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

High School (HS) Assessment

There are 71 (PEs) that may be assessed on the CAST; these item specifications are presented individually and by content areas.

HS Earth and Space Sciences (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

HS Life Sciences (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

HS Physical Sciences (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

HS Engineering, Technology, and Application of Science (DOCX; Posted 26-Jul-2021)

Appendices

Appendix A: Complete List of the SEP Subpractices (DOCX)

2016 Science Framework for California Public Schools, Appendix 2 (PDF)

Questions:

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress | caaspp@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-8765

Last Reviewed: Friday, November 19, 2021

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CAST Item Specifications - California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System (CA Dept of Education)

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Item specifications describe how items for the CAST are developed to assess the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS).

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What is PALS?
PALS is an on-line, standards-based, continually updated resource bank of science performance assessment tasks indexed via the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and various other standards frameworks. Take the guided tour to become familiar with PALS.

About the tasks
The tasks, collected from numerous sources, include student directions and response forms, administration procedures, scoring rubrics, examples of student work, and technical quality data calculated from field testing.

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What is PALS? PALS is an on-line, standards-based, continually updated resource bank of science performance assessment tasks indexed via the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and various other standards frameworks. Take the guided tour to become familiar with PALS.

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Online Tool

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Create a Performance Task - performance task assessments

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Math and Science Classroom Materials | Assessment Services, Inc.

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At Assessment Services, Inc. we believe in the importance of hands-on learning. That's why we are one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of educational manipulatives. Our learning tools are designed with educational enrichment in mind. From math manipulatives like algebra tiles and base ten blocks to reading and science manipulatives, our products help connect children with valuable concepts in classrooms around the world.

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Write Your Own and Database Test Questions

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Write Your Own and Database Test Questions

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The question bank provides a variety of question types and asks students to think about the mathematics, promoting deeper understanding. I love it! Thanks for all you do to continue to make Problem-Attic a great resource for teachers and students!

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California Science Test - CAST

In 2019 all LEAs will administer the first operational version of the CAST or the CAA-Science field test to all students enrolled in grades 5, 8, and students in grade 12 who have did not participate in the 2018 CAST Field Test or CAA Science Year Two Pilot. The CAST testing window opens January 9, 2018. Districts may elect to administer the high school assessment to students enrolled in grades 10 and 11 (see "High School Administration Guidance" below for details).

In the fall of 2018, CDE will make available assessment results in the form of preliminary indicators from the 2018 CAST field test (see the "Field Test Results" tab below for details).

With the help of input from CSTA members and using resources and information available from CDE, CSTA has developed a Frequently Asked Questions resource for the CAST.

CAST Segments for 2018/19 Administration

This table outlines the six segments that make up the single CAST test. Unlike the Smarter Balanced Language Arts and Math Assessments, the Performance Task segments of the CAST are not separately administered. It is all one assessment. (Table coming soon!)

Source: California Department of Education: http://www.caaspp.org/rsc/pdfs/CAASPP.CAST.Suggested-Pausing-Points...

CAST Blueprints

Assessment blueprints document the content standards to be measured using the assessment. The CAST Blueprints were approved by the CA State Board of Education on November 8, 2017. The blueprint is available from CDE.

CAST General Achievement Level Descriptors and Score Reporting Structure (Operational Assessment)

On November 8, 2017, the SBE also approved CDE's recommendation for the CAST general Achievement Level Descriptors (ALD) and Score Reporting Structure. General ALDs provide descriptions of student performance level expectations across four levels. These general ALDs will be used to develop both student level reporting of performance and grade-level specific ALDs.

Source: California Department of Education: https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/ag/ag/yr17/documents/nov...

The operational CAST score reporting structure will include an overall scale score and three sub-scores, one each for three-dimensional Earth/space, life, and physical sciences. Assessment items measuring PEs from the Engineering, Technology, and Application of Science domain will be set in the context of life, physical, or Earth and space sciences and those items will be reported according to one of those three domains in the reporting structure.

Source: California Department of Education: https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/ag/ag/yr17/documents/nov...

CA NGSS Quick Nav

The California Science Teachers Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and your donation may be tax deductible. Membership and donations are the backbone of the important work CSTA engages in to promote high quality science education.

Donate Online

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cast
california ngss assessment
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In 2019 all LEAs will administer the first operational version of the CAST or the CAA-Science field test to all students enrolled in grades 5, 8, and students in grade 12 who have did not participate in the 2018 CAST Field Test or CAA Science Year Two Pilot.

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ACESSE Resource B - How to Assess Three-Dimensional Learning in Your Classroom

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How is assessing three-dimensional science learning different than how we have thought of science learning in the past? How can we design assessment tasks that elicit student's current understanding of specific aspects of the disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts in order to shape future instruction?

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Resources from CDE

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Great Test Examples for Grades 5, 8, 11

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Our tasks are intended to be used to support teaching and learning in classrooms that are enacting NGSS-aligned instruction. Currently, we have made available through our portal a comprehensive set of assessment tasks and rubrics for middle school physical science and life science.

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Seven Types of Curriculum Linked Assessments

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NGSS Storylines