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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your question(s) for Section 7.

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your question(s) for Section 7.

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your question(s) for Section 4.

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Please post technical issues or questions here. 

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Please post technical issues or questions here. 

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You should have received an email with a link to access the meeting materials. The link will also be shared in the chat periodically throughout the session.

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your question(s) for Section 1.

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CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments At-a-Glance

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CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments At-a-Glance

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You will receive an email with an evaluation survey and verification of attendance for each of the sessions you have attended. If you do not receive the email by the end of the day tomorrow, email CalTrainings@WestEd.org for assistance.

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CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments by Grade

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CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments by Grade

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For more information on upcoming training opportunities, including additional sessions in the 2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series, please visit www.caaspp.org/training/training-opportunities.html

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Training workshops for administration of the CAASPP computer-based summative and interim assessments and the Digital Library.

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Training workshops for administration of the CAASPP computer-based summative and interim assessments and the Digital Library.

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We've detected that Javascript is not enabled. It is required for an optimal survey taking experience.
Please check your browser's settings and make sure Javascript is turned on. Learn how to enable Javascript.

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2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series Evaluation Form

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2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series Evaluation Form.

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NGSS Standards

On September 4, 2013, the SBE adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS) as required by California Education Code 60605.85. The NGSS Appendices A-M were also adopted to assist teachers in the implementation of the new science standards and to aid in the development of the new science curriculum framework.

The SBE-adopted California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) can be viewed below by grade level Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI): Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physical Sciences or by grade level Topic (e.g., Chemical Reactions, Structure and Function, or Space Systems).

For information on how to read the standards and implement the standards, please read How to Read CA NGSS (PDF) or consult the 2016 Science Framework or visit the Adopting and Implementing NGSS page. For questions about the CA NGSS and 2016 Science Framework, contact the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division (CFIRD) at cfird@cde.ca.gov or 916-319-0881.

Kindergarten through Grade Five Standards

Standards Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas (Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science)

Grades Six through Eight Standards

On November 6, 2013, the SBE approved the Science Expert Panel's (SEP) recommended Integrated Learning Progression model as the preferred model for middle grades six through eight. At the same November meeting, the SBE approved a recommendation by the SSPI to reconvene the SEP in order "to develop ... as an alternative model ... a discipline specific model" for the grade span of six through eight based on Achieve's domains model in Appendix K.

In December 2013, the SEP reconvened to develop an alternative domain specific course model.

The documents below provide middle school educators the rationale for the CA NGSS Integrated Learning Progression Course for middle grades six through eight and the Alternative Discipline Specific Course for grades six through eight. The documents also describe learning progressions for each grade level.

Integrated Learning Progression Model (PDF)
This document provides middle school educators the rationale for the Integrated Learning Progression Course arrangement of standards developed by the California Science Expert Panel. Documents containing the standards for each grade level are below.

Discipline Specific Model (PDF)
This document provides middle school educators the rationale for the Discipline Specific Course arrangement. Documents containing the standards for each grade level are below.

Integrated Model Standards Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas

Discipline Specific Model Standards

Grades Nine through Twelve Standards

Standards Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas (Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science)

NGSS Appendices A-M

The NGSS Appendices A-M were adopted to assist teachers in the implementation of NGSS and in the development of the new science curriculum framework.

Questions: Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division | cfird@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0881

Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 26, 2023

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NGSS for California Public Schools, K-12

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In 2013, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve.

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your answers to the following questions. 

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your answers to the following questions. 

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1. What are your impressions of a CAST performance task?

2. What types of strategies did you use to respond to the items?

3. Did any items in the task influence the way you responded to other items, including the CR?

4. How can you prepare students for this type of task?

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Test Operations Management System (TOMS) (Logon Required)

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Test Operations Management System (TOMS) (Logon Required)

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Please Log In

Enter your username and password to log into CAI online systems. Once you log in, you will automatically be directed to your selected system.

Need More Help?

If you forgot your password or need a new password, please use the Forgot Your Password? link to reset it.

LEA coordinators requiring additional assistance may contact the appropriate organization for support:

First Time User?

If you have not received your activation e-mail or if your link has expired, you may request a new link.
Request one now
Register for Tools for Teachers?

Tools for Teachers features classroom and professional learning resources created and approved by teachers. Click below to register.

The California assessment system is provided by Educational Testing Service for use by California LEAs.

For best performance, download the latest version of
Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari.

By using or accessing this site, you agree to the
Terms and Conditions of Use.

The "California Management System" is an Internet site maintained by Educational Testing Service ("ETS") as a service to the California Department of Education ("CDE") for use in its California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress ("CAASPP") and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California ("ELPAC"). Access to and use of the California Management System Internet site ("the Site") are governed by federal and state law, including but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C.A. 1232g et seq.) ("FERPA"), the Information Practices Act of 1977 (Cal. Civ. Code 1798.1 et seq.), Education Code 49076, and Education Code 60604-60618 and 60640 et seq., and Title 5, California Code of Regulations 851-875.

Only duly authorized employees or agents of the CDE, an authorized school district or an authorized, independently testing charter school (generally "local educational agency" or "LEA") may properly and lawfully access the Site. The undersigned party ("User") hereby acknowledges and represents that it has been designated and authorized by the CDE or appropriate LEA authority to access the Site, and that the Users employees and agents accessing the Site have a need to know the data provided through the Site for a legitimate business and educational purpose of the LEA or CDE, and have a legitimate educational interest for each instance of access and use of the Site.

1. Create User Authority.
You have created your own user credentials (i.e., set your own password and security questions/responses for use of the Site) and have not shared, or have received from others in your LEA or the CDE, usernames and/or passwords from other users.

2. Stopping Access.
If your authority or access is changed or eliminated by your LEA or the CDE, you agree to immediately stop using the Site.

3. Data Protection.
User shall treat as confidential all data and information received through the Site according to the requirements of state and federal laws.

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Enter your username and password to log into CAI online systems. Once you log in, you will automatically be directed to your selected system. If you forgot your password or need a new password, please use the Forgot Your Password? link to reset it.

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your answers to the following questions. 

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1. How do you see yourself using the CAST Interim Assessments in your classroom?

2. What kinds of decisions do you think these assessments can help you make that inform teaching and learning in your classroom?

3. At what point or points in the year would these assessments be most useful to you?

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your question(s) for Section 6.

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Interim assessments are designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year. The CAASPP Interim Assessments include the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics as well as the California Science Test (CAST) Interim Assessments.

To access resources regarding the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) Interim Assessments, please visit the ELPAC Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page.

General Resources

User Guides

Interim Assessment Video Series

The CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessment Video Series consists of six modules covering the content and purpose of the interim assessments and how to use related systems and resources.

Interim Assessment Lists

2023-24 Interim Assessments At-a-Glance (July 2023)
This document lists, by grade level or grade span, all available CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments.

2023-24 Interim Assessments by Grade (August 2023)
This document lists all available CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments by grade or grade span, and provides information such as associated standards, total number of items and number of items requiring hand scoring.

Instructions

Other General Resources

Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Resources

Blueprints

Blueprints for the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and mathematics, as well as various other resources, can be found on the CDE Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments web page

Quick Instructions and Flyers

Videos

Asynchronous Hand Scoring Learning Modules

These asynchronous learning modules guide educators on how to hand score the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment performance tasks for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and mathematics. The asynchronous learning modules can be accessed on the following web pages:

CAST Interim Assessment Resources

The CAST Interim Assessments in grades three, four, and five will each assess all three science domains. Middle school and high school will each have three interim assessments that assess a single science domain. Each CAST interim assessment will consist of two segments: one discrete segment and one performance task (PT) segment. The PT consists of four to six items, including one constructed response item worth 2 points that must be hand-scored.

CAST Interim Assessment Organization Flyer

Blueprints

Item Specifications

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

CAST Item Specifications web page

CAST Constructed Response Annotated Examples

These annotated examples were created for selected constructed response items on the CAST practice tests. Practice test scoring guides and more can be found on the Online Practice Test Scoring Guides, PFAs, and DFAs web page.

Last Reviewed: September 19, 2023

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Test Administrator Resources for the administration of California tests.

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Training workshops for administration of the CAASPP computer-based summative and interim assessments and the Digital Library.

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California Educator Reporting System Resources

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California Educator Reporting System Resources

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California Educator Reporting System Resources

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The California Educator Reporting System (CERS) allows teachers and administrators to access their students’ individual and aggregate test results from state summative and interim assessments.

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your question(s) for Section 9.

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your question(s) for Section 9.

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Interim assessments are designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year. The CAASPP Interim Assessments include the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics as well as the California Science Test (CAST) Interim Assessments.

To access resources regarding the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) Interim Assessments, please visit the ELPAC Interim Assessment Administration Resources web page.

General Resources

User Guides

Interim Assessment Video Series

The CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessment Video Series consists of six modules covering the content and purpose of the interim assessments and how to use related systems and resources.

Interim Assessment Lists

2023-24 Interim Assessments At-a-Glance (July 2023)
This document lists, by grade level or grade span, all available CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments.

2023-24 Interim Assessments by Grade (August 2023)
This document lists all available CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments by grade or grade span, and provides information such as associated standards, total number of items and number of items requiring hand scoring.

Instructions

Other General Resources

Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Resources

Blueprints

Blueprints for the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and mathematics, as well as various other resources, can be found on the CDE Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments web page

Quick Instructions and Flyers

Videos

Asynchronous Hand Scoring Learning Modules

These asynchronous learning modules guide educators on how to hand score the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment performance tasks for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and mathematics. The asynchronous learning modules can be accessed on the following web pages:

CAST Interim Assessment Resources

The CAST Interim Assessments in grades three, four, and five will each assess all three science domains. Middle school and high school will each have three interim assessments that assess a single science domain. Each CAST interim assessment will consist of two segments: one discrete segment and one performance task (PT) segment. The PT consists of four to six items, including one constructed response item worth 2 points that must be hand-scored.

CAST Interim Assessment Organization Flyer

Blueprints

Item Specifications

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

CAST Item Specifications web page

CAST Constructed Response Annotated Examples

These annotated examples were created for selected constructed response items on the CAST practice tests. Practice test scoring guides and more can be found on the Online Practice Test Scoring Guides, PFAs, and DFAs web page.

Last Reviewed: September 19, 2023

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Test Administrator Resources for the administration of California tests.

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For more information on upcoming training opportunities, including additional sessions in the 2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series, please visit www.caaspp.org/training/training-opportunities.html

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Training workshops for administration of the CAASPP computer-based summative and interim assessments and the Digital Library.

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Training workshops for administration of the CAASPP computer-based summative and interim assessments and the Digital Library.

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The California Department of Education (CDE) Assessment Spotlight is a regular email for K-12 educators, including testing coordinators, that reports on current and upcoming activities related to statewide testing.

To join the email list, send a blank message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov. If you would like to unsubscribe from the CDE statewide assessments listserv, send a blank message to unsubscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

The following links direct users to a list of topics covered within each update:

Issue 254 - November 9, 2023

Issue 253 - November 3, 2023

Issue 252 - October 27, 2023

Issue 251 - October 20, 2023

Issue 250 - October 13, 2023

Issue 249 - October 6, 2023

Issue 248 - September 29, 2023

Issue 247 - September 22, 2023

Issue 246 - September 15, 2023

Issue 245 - September 8, 2023

Issue 244 - August 25, 2023

Issue 243 - August 18, 2023

Issue 242 - August 11, 2023

Issue 241 - August 4, 2023

Issue 240 - July 28, 2023

Issue 239 - July 14, 2023

Issue 238 - July 7, 2023

Issue 237 - June 30, 2023

Issue 236 - June 23, 2023

Issue 235 - June 16, 2023

Issue 234 - June 9, 2023

Issue 233 - May 26, 2023

Issue 232 - May 19, 2023

Issue 231 - May 12, 2023

Issue 230 - May 5, 2023

Issue 229 - April 28, 2023

Issue 228 - April 21, 2023

Issue 227 - April 14, 2023

Issue 226 - April 7, 2023

Issue 225 - March 24, 2023

Issue 224 - March 10, 2023

Issue 223 - March 3, 2023

Issue 222 - February 17, 2023

Issue 221 - February 10, 2023

Issue 220 - February 3, 2023

Issue 219 - January 27, 2023

Issue 218 - January 20, 2023

Issue 217 - January 13, 2023

Issue 216 - January 6, 2023

Issue 215 - December 16, 2022

Issue 214 - December 9, 2022

Issue 213 - December 2, 2022

Issue 212 - November 18, 2022

Issue 211 - November 11, 2022

Issue 210 - November 4, 2022

Issue 209 - October 28, 2022

Issue 208 - October 21, 2022

Issue 207 - October 14, 2022

Issue 206 - October 7, 2022

Issue 205 - September 30, 2022

Issue 204 - September 23, 2022

Issue 203 - September 16, 2022

Issue 202 - September 9, 2022

Issue 201 - September 2, 2022

Issue 200 - August 26, 2022

Issue 199 - August 19, 2022

Issue 198 - August 12, 2022

Issue 197 - August 5, 2022

Issue 196 - July 29, 2022

Issue 195 - July 22, 2022

Issue 194 - July 8, 2022

Issue 193 - July 1, 2022

Issue 192 - June 24, 2022

Issue 191 - June 17, 2022

Issue 190 - June 10, 2022

Issue 189 - June 3, 2022

Issue 188 - May 27, 2022

Issue 187 - May 20, 2022

Abbreviation

Definition

CAA

California Alternate Assessment

CAASPP

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress

CAC

California Assessment Conference

CALPADS

California Longitudinal Pupil Data System

CAST

California Science Test

CERS

California Educator Reporting System

CHSPE

California High School Proficiency Examination

CSA

California Spanish Assessment

ELPAC

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California

HSE

high school equivalency

ICILS

International Computer and Information Literacy Study

LEA

local educational agency

STAIRS

Security and Test Administration Incident Reporting System

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 254 - November 9, 2023

Upcoming Educator Opportunity: CSA Development

November's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers-Express Yourself

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 253 - November 3, 2023

Charter School Assessment Coordinator Network Quarterly Meeting is Coming Up on November 29, 2023

Fall ELPAC New Coordinator Trainings - Register Now

Understanding the Role of Interim Assessments

Act Now: Important Update Regarding Expiring HiSET Test Vouchers

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 252 - October 27, 2023

New CAST and ELPAC Interim Assessments Ready for Administration to Students
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 251 - October 20, 2023

Fall English Language Proficiency Assessments for California New Coordinator Trainings - Register Now

Interim Assessment User Guide Now Available!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 250 - October 13, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 249 - October 6, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 248 - September 29, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 247 - September 22, 2023

Preview Available Now for the New California Science Test and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California Interim Assessments

Introducing the New Interim Assessments Webinars

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 246 - September 15, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 245 - September 8, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 244 - August 25, 2023

Reminder-Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments are Available
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 243 - August 18, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 242 - August 11, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 241 - August 4, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 240 - July 28, 2023

2023 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting Starts Next Week

CAASPP and ELPAC Systems Downtime Reminder

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 239 - July 14, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 238 - July 7, 2023

Reminder-Summer Trainings Starting Soon

Generating Statewide Student Identifiers-Clarification

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 237 - June 30, 2023

Reminder-Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems

Generating Statewide Student Identifiers Takes Time

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 236 - June 23, 2023

Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems

Register for the 2023 High School Equivalency and Proficiency Summer Convenings

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 235 - June 16, 2023

Interim Assessments Summer Trainings Starting Soon

2023-24 ELPAC Information Guide Just Posted

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 234 - June 9, 2023

2023 California Assessment Conference-Last Call for Session Presenters

June's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers-Are We Really One of a Kind?

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 233 - May 26, 2023

New Alternate Assessment Decision Making Worksheet

Summative ELPAC Testing Window Closing-Speaking Data Entry Interface Reminder

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 232 - May 19, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 231 - May 12, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 230 - May 5, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 229 - April 28, 2023

Close of the ELPAC Testing Window Quickly Approaching!

Focus on Test Security-Pause Rules and Grace Period Extensions

California High School Equivalency Program

California High School Proficiency Examination

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 228 - April 21, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 227 - April 14, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 226 - April 7, 2023

Requesting Unlisted Resources

California Spanish Assessment-Educators Urgently Needed

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 225 - March 24, 2023

Focus on Test Security: Overview of the STAIRS/Appeals Process

Updates to the 2022-23 ELPAC Information Guide

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 224 - March 10, 2023

March's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers-Ants are Superorganisms
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 223 - March 3, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 222 - February 17, 2023

California Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix for 2022-23: Minor Updates

Registration Open for Spring Training-Accessing Summative Assessment Results in CERS

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 221 - February 10, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 220 - February 3, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 219 - January 27, 2023

Assistance to Storm-affected Local Educational Agencies

Now Available-Asynchronous Hand Scoring Modules for Scoring Smarter Balanced Performance Tasks

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 218 - January 20, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 217 - January 13, 2023

Tools for Teachers: Science Educator Interest Survey

January's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers-Inspiring Investigation: Interpreting & Analyzing Figurative Language

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 216 - January 6, 2023 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 215 - December 16, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 214 - December 9, 2022

December's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers-Interim Assessment Connections Playlist for Mathematics Performance Task

Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 213 - December 2, 2022

Reminders and Resources for Administering the CAA for Science

Desmos Art Contest

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 212 - November 18, 2022

Field Test of Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 211 - November 11, 2022

November's Featured Resource in Tools for Teachers-Explore World Climates with Climatograms
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 210 - November 4, 2022

Register Today for the November Webinar on Formative Assessment and Accessibility Strategies

High School Equivalency and CHSPE Webinar Series

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 209 - October 28, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 208 - October 21, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 207 - October 14, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 206 - October 7, 2022

Last Day to Register: California Assessment Conference

Data-Drive Decision-Making Trainings for Educational Leaders

California Assessment Accessibility Resource Matrix for 2022-23

LEAs: Complete Your 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey

Fall ELPAC New Coordinator Trainings-Register Now

California Educator Reporting System Training Opportunities

Boosting Instruction with Formative Assessment and Accessibility Strategies

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 205 - September 30, 2022

2022 California Assessment Conference-Secure Your Spot Today

Now Available: 1.0 Percent Threshold Survey

State Board of Education Approves Use of Smarter Balanced Adjusted Form Blueprints

Fall Interim Hand Scoring Sessions Begin Next Week!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 204 - September 23, 2022

2022 California Assessment Conference: Spots Still Available

Don't Miss Out! Tools for Teachers Shared Practices Webinar Next Week

High School Equivalency: A Transition is in Progress!

Testing Transitional Kindergarten Students with the Initial ELPAC

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 203 - September 16, 2022

Census Day Reminder to Complete the Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC

Register for the September Tools for Teachers Shared Practices Webinar

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 202 - September 9, 2022

2022 California Assessment Conference: Register Today to Learn from Your Colleagues Across the State

CSA Item Writer Workshop: Spots Still Available

Spots Still Available for the 2022 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series Fall Sessions!

Registration Remains Open for the Introduction to CERS Fall Training Sessions

High School Equivalency: A Transition is on the Way!

California High School Proficiency Exam

September's Featured Professional Learning Resource in Tools for Teachers-Effective School-Home Partnerships!

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 201 - September 2, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 200 - August 26, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 199 - August 19, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 198 - August 12, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 197 - August 5, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 196 - July 29, 2022

2022 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting Starts Next Week!
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 195 - July 22, 2022

Space Available! Math Interim Assessment Hand Scoring Training Next Week

Reminder-Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 194 - July 8, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 193 - July 1, 2022

New Alternate ELPAC Notification Letters Now Available!

Downtime This Weekend for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 192 - June 24, 2022

ELPAC Checklists for 2022-23 Now Available!

Initial ELPAC Reminder

Available Soon: 2022-23 Initial ELPAC and Alternate Initial ELPAC!

Upcoming Downtime for CAASPP and ELPAC Systems

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 191 - June 17, 2022

Deadline Extended: 2022 CAC Call for Shared Practice Proposals
Assessment Spotlight, Issue 190 - June 10, 2022 Assessment Spotlight, Issue 189 - June 3, 2022

2022 High School Equivalency Summer Covenings in August!

Alternate ELPAC-Question of the Week

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 188 - May 27, 2022

2022 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series-Register Now for Summer Sessions!

Alternate ELPAC Alignment Workshop-August 1 and 2

Assessment Spotlight, Issue 187 - May 20, 2022

Updated, Easily Accessible: Quick Reference Guides

Updated CAA Eligibility Determination Guidance for Parents and Guardians

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

Last Reviewed: Monday, November 20, 2023

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Email updates sent out through the California Department of Education statewide assessments electronic mailing lists.

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This user guide provides guidance on the overall process of the CAASPP interim assessment administration. It supports any LEA personnel who administer the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments, LEA personnel who use the Interim…

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Understanding the Formative Assessment Process

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Understanding the Formative Assessment Process

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The interim assessment video series consists of five narrated presentation modules and five system demonstration videos. Each video is three to ten minutes in length. This video series complements the Interim Assessment User Guide , which contains more detail for educators using the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments.

The videos for modules one through four in this series were updated in September 2020. Module five was updated in January 2020.

Module 1: Introducing the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments

This seven-minute module provides information on the value and usefulness of the interim assessments, the differences between and features of both types of interim assessments, student accessibility supports, available online resources, and security considerations.

Module 2: Interim Assessment Viewing System

This three-minute module provides information on how to log into and navigate the Interim Assessment Viewing System and describes how the viewing system can be used by educators to prepare for the administration of interim assessments.

A three-minute demonstration video is included to accompany module two. This demonstration shows how to access and navigate the Interim Assessment Viewing System.

Module 3: Administering the Interim Assessments

This eight-minute module provides information on how to use the Test Administrator Interface to initiate a test session, approve students for testing, and monitor student status during testing. In addition, the use of the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) to manage student enrollment and accessibility supports and the important role of the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) are discussed.

A six-minute demonstration video is included to accompany module three. This demonstration shows how to access and navigate the Test Administrator Interface for interim assessments.

Module 4: Interim Assessment Hand Scoring System

This four-minute module provides information on how to use the Interim Assessment Hand Scoring System and the contents of the hand scoring training guides and exemplars. In addition, considerations for planning the hand scoring of interim assessment items and suggested uses for hand scoring training materials are discussed.

A four-minute demonstration video is included to accompany module four. This demonstration shows how to access the hand scoring system, how to view the response list, how to assign scores, and how to reassign responses to other test administrators.

A seven-minute demonstration video is included to accompany module four. This demonstration shows how to access and view the interim assessment training guides and exemplars.

Module 5: California Educator Reporting System

Module five consists of two demonstration videos for the California Educator Reporting System (CERS). The first demonstration video is designed for educator use and the second video is designed for administrator use.

This ten-minute video demonstrates how educators can use CERS to view item-, student-, and group-level assessment results data.

This nine-minute video demonstrates how administrators can use CERS to view student, district, and school assessment data.

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

Last Reviewed: Monday, November 13, 2023

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Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Video Series

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This series consists of five video modules intended to help educators effectively use the interim assessment systems and tools.

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Introducing the CAST Interim Assessments

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CDE values your feedback as educators on the new CAST Interim Assessments.

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CDE values your feedback as educators on the new CAST Interim Assessments.

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Use the + symbol at the top of the column to post your comments.

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The NGSS curriculum goes over criteria and constraints, so this task requires students to know what the criteria for success is. The students need to start the response with identifying the correct method. Also, the evidence should just be what is given in the performance task, not anything else the student wants to add.

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California local educational agency (LEA) testing coordinators can use this website as a resource to find helpful information, instructions, training, forms, and external links that will facilitate test administration.

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Select the performance task you would like to engage with.

–Grade four—PS

–Middle school—ESS

Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (ETS) Focus

–High school—LS

1. Select [Participants], located in the bottom toolbar of the meeting window.

2. Hover over your name and select [More].

3. Select Rename and add the science domain (PS, ESS, LS) you would like to review to the beginning of your name.

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What is the significance of having a separate name for the science test, when the ELA and Math are both called CAASPP?

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What is the significance of having a separate name for the science test, when the ELA and Math are both called CAASPP?

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Details...

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For those of us familiar with Hand Scoring CAASPP, please point out the similarities and differences.

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For those of us familiar with Hand Scoring CAASPP, please point out the similarities and differences.

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"All students get the same items." So, do the items change each year?

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"All students get the same items." So, do the items change each year?

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How can you determine when handscoring has been completed by a teacher?

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2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series (1)

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2023 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series (1)

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Where can we find the recordings 🎙️ of:

Module 1: Using the Formative Assessment Process and Tools for Teachers Website to Boost Instruction

Module 2: Gauging Student Progress with the CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments

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I think it would be helpful if the practice performance task were formatted in the same direction (side-by-side) as the student's. 

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I think it would be helpful if the practice performance task were formatted in the same direction (side-by-side) as the student's. 

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PLEASE INCLUDE A VISUAL TIMER FOR WHEN WE COME BACK. IT IS REALLY ANNOYING WHEN I AM BEING INTERRUPTED BY OTHERS and I don't know how much longer I have

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LS 3. Did any items in the task influence the way you responded to other items. 

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LS 3. Did any items in the task influence the way you responded to other items. 

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reread other stimulus to have better basis for answers

graphs didn't seem to have quite enough. Q14 needed information about flies needing crickets

Looked at graph first

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LS 3. Did any items in the task influence the way you responded to other items. 

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LS 3. Did any items in the task influence the way you responded to other items. 

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Are any of us in districts where we might use as a district? Good for classroom practice.

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LS 3. Did any items in the task influence the way you responded to other items. 

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LS 3. Did any items in the task influence the way you responded to other items. 

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Rich opportunity to practice in small groups, and discuss tools and approaches.

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The CR is set up similarly to the ELA task and it helps to prepare students to successfully complete the CR.

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PS. 2.Engage students in hands-on experiments, projects, and problem-solving activities that align with the NGSS.

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PS. 2.Engage students in hands-on experiments, projects, and problem-solving activities that align with the NGSS.

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1. Multistep needs practice not just with interims. I can be overwhelming for students.

2. Table and pictures helped. Creating a visual model. Referring back to previous questions and pics to help answer. Use test taking strategies.

3. Yes, utilizing those test taking strategies.

4. Embed them in daily or weekly activities such as Daily News, work with partners, strategizing, practice test taking skills.

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A lot of reading when high school students take this, since it's a literacy test.

We need to help students with perseverence.

Teach academic vocabulary.

Discuss item, and do a think aloud if students didn't say these things, to remind them that one item can help with another.

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The stimulus was available to observe and look at as many times as needed. Being able to reference the stimulus was helpful in answering the question.

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1. What are your impressions of a CAST performance task?

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1. What are your impressions of a CAST performance task?

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It was challenging to go back and forth between the questions and the task.

Reading might also be a barrier for many students, including Multilingual Learners.

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To write the CR we used the writing skills of CER and skills to interpret graphs and data. The students need to have the SEPs and CCCs knowledge to be successful.

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1. Skills and data analysis skills

2. Reading charts to sort data

3. Reading comprehension - length and rigor of the text

4. Practice and experience in classroom

5. Visuals of the diagrams are easier if they had the actual experience in-person. Needed to look for actual patterns and draw conclusions

6. CR - have to practice comparing things; didn't necessary need to know content of waves or energy to compare the ropes

7. Test taking skills - find the answers in the questions; questions felt like they led the students to the answers

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2. What types of strategies did you use to respond to the items?

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2. What types of strategies did you use to respond to the items?

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Re-read and refer back to the text.

We would like for vocabulary to be defined when we scroll on it.

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1. Good balance between ELA and Math. Everything the students needed was available in the performance task. Critical thinking was evident.

2. Multiple reads, annotations

3. The previous questions built a background knowledge to the response, starting with DOK 1 and moving on.

4. Change the type of questions we ask and how we score.

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4. How can you prepare students for this type of task?

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4. How can you prepare students for this type of task?

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practice the same type of questions but with different problems

expose students to the type of thinking and writing required to do tasks, in addition to the DCI type learning

practice reading and writing in science...

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Room 6:

1. Challenging, distracting, assesses understanding using somthing applicable, hard for students. Students haven't been taught how to write about their thinking, or come back the original information. -need to practice with long responses that go back to previous information.

2. Went back and looked at information, looked back at terms, keep referencing the text, reread the questions. Infer from data given. Need to teach students how to do this.

3. It was part of our strategy to go back and look. Used previous questions to answer the CR.

4. Practice in class: more questions that ask them to write out their answer, or refer back to the text.

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Impressions: rich academic vocabulary, grade level reading comprehension, multi-step experience

Strategies: highlight key words, close reading, reference to images

Influence: diagrams

Preparation: close reading, academic vocab, multi-step exposure, using diagrams to gather information

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We thought the question was clear, and the other items supported answering it. We did wonder how the word "chirping" might affect ELs understanding of the item and ability to answer.

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Are the rubrics adjusted based on student data?

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Are the rubrics adjusted based on student data?

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For High School, two of the 2 point items have a variation that doesn't fully show understanding of the terms and the second part of the two point rubric. They are given full credit anyway. For situations like this, where the mistake / response is common, and not directly called out in the rubric, I would hope we would adjust the rubric to explicitly include how to interpret these common misconceptions. To be specific: the high school rubric should be expanded to say 2 points includes parasitic OR feeding on.

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Support the process pf Claim Evidence Reasoning CER to support items like the LS HS one.

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Support the process pf Claim Evidence Reasoning CER to support items like the LS HS one.

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Can these interim assessments be used for formal grading towards report cards? Or is there Ed Code against that?

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Can these interim assessments be used for formal grading towards report cards? Or is there Ed Code against that?

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Sounds like the facilitators have some kind of scripts for the slides, would we be able to get that? We are a large district so we need many presenters so a script will be helpful. Thanks.

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Sounds like the facilitators have some kind of scripts for the slides, would we be able to get that? We are a large district so we need many presenters so a script will be helpful. Thanks.

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In the Check Set, sometimes official graders let "feeding/food" equate to "parasitic," giving full credit. Other times they didn't count "feeding" as equal to "parasitic," resulting in a lower score. This is inconsistent.

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1. Start at lower grade level and go up (spiral the learning to use all IA)

2. Form student groups to take the IA together (non-threatening, class discussions)

3. Letting teachers know that the IA can be given for various reasons, not just content - it can be just to interact with the interface.

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1. How do we see ourselves using the CAST Interim Assessments in our classrooms? 

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1. How do we see ourselves using the CAST Interim Assessments in our classrooms? 

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Skills and Cross-cutting concepts are supposed to be transferrable.

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Room 9: Have students use the responses and rubric to calibrate responses and discuss why the answers are 2, 1, or 0. Both standardized and non-standardized. Can be used all year long, when the content is being taught. 

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Room 9: Have students use the responses and rubric to calibrate responses and discuss why the answers are 2, 1, or 0. Both standardized and non-standardized. Can be used all year long, when the content is being taught. 

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I would  like to share this with my Science teachers. 

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I would  like to share this with my Science teachers. 

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Is there rationale in not having PEs per item identified on the Interim CAST? And summative CAST? Why would a TOSA not spend time doing this for teachers?

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Please send out an all call warning so we are constantly cut off mid sentence. There is an option in Zoom to do so.

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Please consider label the items per grade level for the MS Integrated model so teachers know which items belong to a specific grade.

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Please consider label the items per grade level for the MS Integrated model so teachers know which items belong to a specific grade.

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AP (Advanced Placement by College Board) regularly releases items, which can be used for instruction, etc. This is awesome, and teachers use them all the time and students get better by reading real life student writing. I wish that our CAASPP would be the same, with many, many released items. Instead, we currently quickly run out of items, and the limited quantity greatly decreases their usefulness.

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The assessments present an opportunity to develop teachers and students understanding of claim, evidence, and reasoning. This can support science teaching and learning on a daily basis.

We are excited to use them as non-standardized so that we can collaboratively think out loud and have conversations about proficient writing in science.