Assessments are an important part of California’s plan for high-quality teaching and learning, which seeks to help all students graduate prepared for college-level coursework and a 21st-century career. Like class assignments and report cards, assessments are one gauge of student progress, providing information to schools, teachers, and parents about how students performed against California’s challenging new goals for learning.

Statewide Testing Notification 

California students take several mandated statewide tests. These tests provide parents/guardians, teachers, and educators with information about how well students are learning and becoming college and career ready. The test results may be used for local, state, and federal accountability purposes.

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests consist of the following:

• Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Assessments

The Smarter Balanced computer adaptive assessments are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics tests are administered in grades three through eight and grade eleven to measure whether students are on track to college and career readiness. In grade eleven, results from the ELA and mathematics assessments can be used as an indicator of college readiness.

• California Science Tests (CAST)

The computer-based CAST measures students’ achievement of the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) through the application of their knowledge and skills of the Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts. The CAST is administered to all students in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade ten, eleven, or twelve). 

• California Alternate Assessments (CAAs)

Only eligible students—students whose individualized education program (IEP) identifies the use of alternate assessments—may participate in the administration of the CAAs. Test examiners administer the computer-based CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science one-on-one to students. Students in grades three through eight and grade eleven will take the CAA for ELA and mathematics. Test items developed for ELA and mathematics are aligned with the CCSS and are based on the Core Content Connectors. 

Students in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade ten, eleven, or twelve) will take the CAA for Science. The CAA for Science embedded performance tasks are based on alternate achievement standards derived from the CA NGSS. Students taking the CAA for Science will take three embedded performance tasks in spring 2019.

• California Spanish Assessment (CSA) for Reading/Language Arts

The optional CSA for Reading/Language Arts in Spanish is aligned with the California Common Core State Standards en Español. This computer-based test allows students to demonstrate their Spanish skills in listening, reading, and writing mechanics. 

Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments.

• English Language Proficiency Assessments for California 

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) in 2017–18 is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners and the other for the annual summative assessment to identify students’ English language proficiency level and to measure their progress in learning English.

• Alternate ELPAC:  Only eligible students—students whose individualized education program (IEP) identifies the use of alternate assessments—may participate in the administration of the Alternate ELPAC.

• Physical Fitness Test

The physical fitness test for students in California schools is the FitnessGram®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting lifelong habits of regular physical activity. Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test.

Student Score Reports: Per Education Code 60641, Delhi Unified School District ensures CAASPP student score reports are made available to all students and parents in a secure electronic format. Students and parents can  access three years of score reports by logging into the Parent or Student Aeries Portal. If you need assistance accessing your child’s score report or wish to request a  printed copy, please visit your child’s school office. 

College Entrance Tests: College entrance tests are tests of ability and knowledge required of each college  applicant necessary for successful college performance. Though some California colleges do not currently require  these exams, entrance tests are required by many private or out-of-state colleges and are used for counseling  and placing students in appropriate college courses. Some colleges and universities require minimum scores for  admission. In addition, scholarships may be based on scores from college entrance tests. The most common tests  are the SAT Reasoning Tests, SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. It is extremely important that students observe  deadlines for the submission of test scores. It is recommended that ALL college-bound eleventh-grade students  check the entrance requirements of prospective colleges and, if required, take the SAT and/or ACT by the end of  their junior year. Contact your College Counselor with any questions about college entrance tests.

Additional links for understanding the CAASPP student score reports:

• Download parent guides to the student reports from the CDE in English and Spanish

• View resources from Great Schools on what steps families can take to support student learning based on the Smarter Balanced results

Why Do We Need Assessments?

Assessments aren't just about the numbers, they're also a chance for reflection and growth. Look for areas for improvement, and remember to celebrate your child's accomplishments too!

Not only are assessments a good way to evaluate your child's progress and accomplishments, but they also inform teachers, principals, and the district. Take a look at the various ways they're used to enhance teaching and learning at our schools.

Report Cards
In DUSD, we send report cards home to families of all students after the end of each quarter. Teachers use report cards to share information about a student’s progress in meeting the expectations set out by the various content standards.