Standardized Testing at Northern United Charter Schools
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.
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Assessments
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) 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 math assessments can be used as an indicator of college readiness. These year end tests are called Summative Assessments and are provided by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. Each test is comprised of two parts: (1) a computer adaptive test and (2) a performance task, administered within a 12-week window beginning at 66 percent of the instructional year.
Summative Assessments
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
Interim Assessments are administered throughout the year in any grade level. They are designed to be formative in nature, meaning they can be used as a tool to monitor student progress and inform instructional practices. They can be taken as a complete test similar to the Summative Assessments, or in smaller blocks that focus on specific standards.
Interim Assessments
California Science Tests (CAST)
The new, computer-based CAST measures student acquisition of the California Next Generation Science Standards. It is administered in grades five and eight, and once in high school. The new computer-based CAST replaces the California Standards Tests (CST) for Science.
California Alternate Assessments (CAA)
The computer-based CAA for ELA and CAA for mathematics is administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades three through eight and grade eleven. Test items are aligned with the CCSS and are based on the Core Content Connectors. The instructionally embedded CAA for Science is administered in grades five and eight, and once in high school.
Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) for Reading/Language Arts
California offers the optional STS for Reading/Language Arts, which are multiple-choice tests that allow Spanish-speaking English learners to demonstrate their knowledge of the California content standards. The California Spanish Assessment (CSA) will replace the optional STS. The CSA will be a computer-based assessment that is aligned with the California CCSS en Español.
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California
California transitioned from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) in 2017–18. The ELPAC 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.
Physical Fitness Test
The physical fitness test (PFT) 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.
PSAT, SAT, ACT
In addition to the above tests, high school students are encouraged to participate in the PSAT test, which is given once a year in October. All high school students may take the PSAT as a practice for the SAT and to gain access to many student assistance programs, such as career guidance, and analysis and feedback on academic strengths and weaknesses. When high school juniors take the PSAT they are automatically put into consideration for the National Merit Board Scholarship competition, which if students qualify, matches them up with many scholarship opportunities across the country.
College-bound students (or even those who are not sure about college) should take the SAT or ACT college entrance test. A schedule for the SAT is included in the appendix in the High School Handbook. SAT preparation materials can be found in several of the Resource Centers of Northern United Charter Schools. Please talk to the guidance counselor for information about college entrance tests.
Links for more information:
Practice Tests
You can take practice tests here using most common browsers.
Common Core State Standards
Physical Fitness Testing
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
GreatKids State Test Guide for Parents