Understanding California’s New State Assessment

Cambrian School DistrictAugust 20, 2015

GoalsQuick review of the California Assessment of

Student Progress and Performance (CAASPP)

Learn how the Smarter Balanced assessment results will be reported

Provide an overview of a communication plan with all stakeholders

A changing world of state and national assessments…

Weaknesses and Missing SkillsColleges and career training programs reported

weaknesses in HS grads Reading complex technical and informational texts Writing well-supported arguments Solving non-routine problems

Analyses showed critical higher order skills were needed for college and the workforce Problem solving Critical thinking Systems thinking Information/ICT literacy

Old Tests – Lower SkillsLooking at tests from 17 states reputed to have

higher standards and more difficult tests found that: Only 21% of English language art items required

“higher order thinking skills” and Fewer than 2% of mathematics items required

“higher order thinking skills” *

* Estimating the percentage of students who were tested on cognitively demanding items through the state achievement tests. RAND Corporation, 2012

Key Facts

We know 60% of the careers today require some form of education after high school – a degree or certificate. This will only grow in the future.

We need to raise our academic standards and performance expectations.

We want our students go to schools with the most highly effective teachers, access to the best educational opportunities, and use of the best technology so they graduate prepared for college and/or the workforce.

The implementation of the CCSS supports our students to be college and career ready.

Key Aspects of the CCSS

Reading increasingly complex texts closely.

Communicating effectively across multiple media and content areas.

Using evidence; interpreting with justification.

Engaging in inquiry and research.

Engaging in mathematical practices that use mathematical reasoning in application.

Using mathematical skills across content areas and contexts.

The New CAASPP includes…Smarter Balanced summative assessments for

grades 3-8 and 11

California Alternative Assessment

Science assessments for grades 5, 8 and 10

Standards-based tests in Spanish

Modified and alternative assessments for some special education students

The Assessments are Computer-basedStudents use computers or tablets to take

the assessments

Computer testing with these 7 different types of response options are new for many students

Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT): Answer correctly … harder question Answer wrong … easier question

How: Students get the questions right for them – up to 2

grade levels above or below grade Before, for those at the top and the bottom we

couldn’t tell – How far ahead? How far behind?

No ComparisonThe new assessments measure different

content and skills from the California STAR exams

Like apples and oranges, the new tests are too different to compare the old scores and new

Many students will need to make significant progress

This year’s results will establish a baseline for progress in future years

We’re resetting the system

Overall Scores – 2 areas, 4 levelsEnglish Language Arts – Mathematics

•Exceeded the standardCollege and Career Ready

•Met the standardCollege and Career Ready

•Nearly met the standardTarget Improvement

•Has not met the standardTarget Improvement

Additional Scores – 3 levels, 8 topicsB

elo

w

Sta

nd

ard

A

bove

Sta

nd

ard

A

t/N

ear

Sta

nd

ard

Above Standard

At/Near Standard

Below Standard

English Language Arts

1.Reading

2.Writing

3.Speaking & Listening

4.Research/Inquiry

Mathematics

1.Concepts & Procedures

2.Problem Solving

3.Communicating Reasoning

4.Modeling & Data Analysis

Update on CAASPP Annual Release of Assessment Results

2014-15 school year was the first year for full implementing the Common Core Standards in English language arts and mathematics

2014-15 school year was the first time that scores from tests aligned to those standards will be reported

“Preliminary Results” available to LEA online -Embargoed

Final results in late August/September - Student Score Reports to go home by mail

California Department of Education website to be launched in September with release of final CAASPP results

Cambrian School DistrictNumber and Percent of Students Tested, 2014-15

ELA/LiteracyGrade Numbe

r of Studen

ts Tested

Percent of

Students

Tested

3 366 98%

4 386 97%

5 371 99%

6 403 100%

7 353 99%

8 342 99%

MathematicsGrade Numbe

r of Studen

ts Tested

Percent of

Students

Tested

3 367 98%

4 384 97%

5 373 99%

6 403 100%

7 353 99%

8 342 99%Updated Aug10.2015

A Framework for Interpretation

It’s a beginning – this year’s score is your baseline

It’s a transition – results may show many students need to make progress, but we are on the right path

It’s the information we need – to help prepare kids for college and careers

It’s just one snapshot of progress in a process of continual improvement

Cambrian’s Communication Plan

Final results from the summative assessments will be communicated to all stakeholders, including: School Board at Board Meetings District & Site Administrators All Staff Parents and Guardians Cambrian Community

Our Next StepsSmarter Balanced Communication

Video Presentation “Understanding the Smarter Balanced Individual Student Report”

Superintendent’s letter to accompany Student Report

Communication Tips for Teachers & Administrators Role Play Scenarios for Staff Principal’s Coffees & Community Meetings Schools and District Newsletter Schools and District Websites District Facebook

We’re on the right path…