CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Standardized Testing and Reporting Program Bilingual Coordinators Network Meeting Update Dianna Gutiérrez Bilingual Education Consultant Statewide Assessment Division September 17, 2009

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 2 Presentation Objectives Learn about the 2009 Test Results Release. Learn What’s New. Review Available Variations, Accommodations, and Modifications. Review Available Resources.

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction Test Results Release Districts received student test results beginning July through August 7. Individual student reports were mailed to school districts. –Districts received two copies of each student report, one for the student’s file and one to send to parents/guardians. –State law requires districts to provide student reports to parents/guardians within 20 working days of having received them. Results typically are posted on the CDE Web site by August 15 of each year; however the posting date for 2009 was August 18. –Statewide, county, district, and school results are reported.

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 4 New Updates California Modified Assessment (CMA) in grades three through eleven (spring 2010) Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) now given in grades two through eleven Test results, by performance levels, available in 2009: STS (grades two through four) and CMA (grades three through five); in 2010: STS (grades two through seven) and CMA (grades three through eight) California Standards Tests (CST) and CMA Writing no longer administered in grade 4, only in grade 7 Additional Released Test Questions (RTQs) will not be available

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 5 California Modified Assessment (CMA) In 2010, the CMA will test students in: IEPs must document which subject areas will be assessed by the CMA and must be reviewed annually regarding CMA participation. GradesContent Areas Three through nineEnglish–language arts SevenWriting Three through sevenMathematics Seven through elevenAlgebra I (end-of-course test) Five, eight, and tenScience

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 6 Standards-Based Tests in Spanish (STS) In 2010, the STS will test students in : The STS is required for Spanish-speaking ELs who either: –Receive instruction in their primary language; or –Have been enrolled in a school in the U.S. less than 12 months At the option of the school district, the STS may also be given to any other Spanish-speaking ELs. GradesContent Areas Two through elevenReading/language arts Two through sevenMathematics Seven through elevenAlgebra I and Geometry (end-of-course tests)

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 7 Test Variations, Accommodations, and Modifications All students may be provided with test variations if regularly used in the classroom. Eligible students are permitted to test with accommodations and/or modifications if specified in the student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan. Matrices of Test Variations, Accommodations, and Modifications are available on the CDE Web site at

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 8 Test Variations for English Learners ELs may be provided with additional testing variations if regularly used in the classroom, such as: Test directions translated into the student’s primary language Additional supervised breaks Separate testing with other ELs Access to translation glossaries/word lists (Definitions, parts of speech, and formulas not allowed in the glossaries/word lists.)

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 9 Internet Resources CST released test questions are available on the CDE Web site at STAR test blueprints are available on the CDE Web site at Parent/Guardian Information and Assistance Packets –Information for districts about communicating with parents/guardians about STAR –Sample letters –Available in twelve languages –Available on the CDE Web site at

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 10 Internet Resources (cont.) CST STAR Exemplar Parent Guides Provide an overview of the STAR Program and sample questions for each content area assessed. Contain sample questions and include: –Correct answer –Percentage of California students who chose the correct answer –State content standard the question is measuring Are available on the following Web site at

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 11 Contact Information Dianna Gutiérrez, Consultant Telephone: STAR Unit Telephone: Web site: