California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress

As California transitions to New Standards, the state has replaced the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) assessment system with the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). The new assessment system is aligned with the California Common Core State Standards and measures student achievement and growth in English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3-8.  The assessments, built on the idea that high-quality assessments will contribute to improved teaching and learning necessary to prepare students to be college and career ready.

Mesa Union School District CAASPP Board Report

CAASPP will include:  

CAASPP Smarter Balanced summative test for English–language arts (ELA) and mathematics in grades three through eight.  Additional information about SBAC testing can be located on the CAASPP Communication – FAQs About Smarter Balanced.

  • Fifth and Eighth Grade Science Assessments, including the California Standards Tests (CSTs), California Alternate Assessment (CAA), and the California Modified Assessment (CMA).
  • California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for English-Language arts and mathematics in grades three through eightAA Field Test Manual
Assessment Students Tested Content Areas Testing Window*
Smarter Balanced Assessment Grades 3-8 English Language Arts and Mathematics May 2022
Science (CA NGSS Field Test) Grades 5 and 8 Science May 2022
California Alternate Assessment (CAA) Grades 3-8 English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science May 2022

Quick Access to the Online Practice and Training Tests 

Educational Uses for Smarter Balanced Practice and Training Tests

Parents/Students

Learning About the Smarter Balanced Test

Below are resources parents and their children can use to learn about the Smarter Balanced Test:

Preparing For The Smarter Balanced Test

Parents and students need to learn about the new types of test questions and have multiple opportunities to practice using the new test interface. This resource is available for parents and their children to use for practice purposes. It includes practice tests for all grades and content areas.