1. California Science Test (CAST)
2017 Assessment and Accountability Information Meeting
Mao Vang, Administrator ll
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
Assessment Development and Administration Division
GOOD Morning!

2. Implementation Timeline
California Department of Education

3. CAST Field Test: Basic Facts
The field test becomes available on April 2, 2018.
LEA-selected testing window must be open.
Field test closes when LEA selected testing window closes.
Each form will have 32–45 discrete items and 2–3 performance tasks.
The field test should take approximately two hours to complete.
California Department of Education

4. Test Administrator and Student Surveys
Test Administrator Survey:
Consists of 7–10 questions, taking approximately 5–10 minutes to complete.
Must be completed before July 16, 2018.
Student Survey:
One question—“Do you think you will be enrolling in any more science classes in high school?”
California Department of Education

5. CAST Field Test: Update to Testing in High School
California Department of Education

6. California Department of Education
Available Resources
California Department of Education

7. Updated Training Tests
Training test updated September 2017
Grade-specific training tests coming March 2018
Includes new item types that will be presented on the field test.
California Department of Education

8. Updated Reference Sheets
California Department of Education

9. CAST Student Accessibility
California Department of Education

10. California Department of Education
CAST Blueprint
The CDE will present the CAST blueprint to the State Board of Education in November 2017 for approval.
Also be presented for approval:
General achievement level descriptors
Score reporting hierarchy
California Department of Education

11. Science Waiver Request
Approved by U.S. Department of Education in August, 2017
Waiver applied only to last year’s pilot test
CDE is now determining next steps to address this year’s field test
California Department of Education

12. Coming Soon—CAST Academies
One-day training for science educators
Three locations throughout the state
Virtual training also available
Scheduled for next spring
More information to come in the weekly CAASPP Update
California Department of Education

13. How to Get Involved in the Development of the CAST
Opportunities for California educator involvement may include:
Item writing
Item review
Form review
Scoring
Data review
Range finding
To get involved, complete the content
reviewer application at
California Department of Education

14. For further information
CDE CAASPP Office
California Department of Education’s CAASPP Web page
CalTAC Assistance
Join the CAASPP listserv for weekly updates!
Send a blank to
California Department of Education