1. 2015–16 CAASPP Parent Retreat
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)
2015–16 CAASPP Parent Retreat
April 8th, 2016
Presented by
Chris Arnold 1

3. What are the Smarter Balanced Assessments?
New computer based tests that measure student knowledge of California’s English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics standards.
These new assessments replace the former paper-based, multiple-choice assessments for students in grades three through eight and grade eleven.

4. What are the Smarter Balanced Assessments?
They reflect critical thinking and problem solving skills that students will need to be ready for college and the 21st century job market.
They are taken on a computer and are adaptive, which means that during the test, the questions will become more or less difficult on the basis of how the student performs.
They provide many more supports for students who need them, including students learning English and students with disabilities.

5. Item and Task Types Selected response items
Prompts a student to choose one or more answers.
Technology-enhanced items
Which might prompt a student to edit text or draw an object.
Constructed-response items
Prompts a student to write a short written or numerical response.
Performance tasks
Students engage in a complex set of tasks to demonstrate their understanding.

6. How Student Performance is Reported
Overall Score
For each grade level and subject area student receives a score from approximately 2000 to 3000.
Achievement Level
Standard Exceeded
Standard Met
Standard Nearly Met
Standard Not Met

7. How Student Performance is Reported
Area Achievement – also called Claims
ELA Areas
Reading, Writing, Listening, and Research/Inquiry
Math Areas
Problem Solving & Modeling/Data Analysis, Concepts & Procedures, and Communicating Reasoning
Reported as
Above Standard
Near Standard
Below Standard

8. Sample Student Score Reports
Side A
Side B

9. Resources Parent Guide to the Smarter Balance Summative Assessments
Practice and Training Tests

10. How can you help your child prepare for testing?
Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a nutritious breakfast before testing.
Be sure your child attends school during testing days and arrives on time. Please try to avoid scheduling outside appointments (doctor or dental) on test dates.
If your child wears an assistive device, such as a hearing aid and/or glasses, be sure he remembers to bring and wear them during testing.
Discuss the new tests with your child. Make sure he or she is not scared or anxious about the new tests.

11. How can you help your child prepare for testing?
With older children, explain that the tests were created to help him or her better prepare for college and career.
Explain to your child that the new tests will be more challenging for them, especially the first few times they take them.
Tell your child that you and his/her teacher have high expectations and that you are both there to help them every step of the way.
Test results will be mailed to parents/guardians in late summer as soon as they become available. Review test results with your child, bringing your child's teacher into the discussion as necessary.