California students take a variety of standardized tests to meet state and federal requirements. The state Superintendent of Public Instruction recommends replacing some of these tests with new assessments aligned to Common Core State Standards that will be implemented in 2014-15.
Below are the tests currently administered in California.
STANDARDIZED TESTING AND REPORTING, OR STAR, TESTS:
1. California Standards Tests, or CSTs: Test math and English language arts for students in grades 2-11; writing for grades 4 and 7; history-social science in grades 8 and 11; science for grades 5 and 8; life science for grade 10; and end-of-course tests in high school mathematics, world history and other sciences.
2. California Modified Assessment, or CMA: Math, English language arts and science tests based on modified achievement standards for some students with disabilities.
3. California Alternate Performance Assessment, or CAPA: Math and English language arts tests in grades 2-11 and science tests in grades 5, 8 and 10 for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to participate in CSTs.
4. Standards-based Tests in Spanish, or STS: Math and English language arts tests in Spanish for some Spanish-speaking English learners. Since these are not currently part of state or federal accountability systems, all students who take these tests also take CSTs.
5. Early Assessment Program, or EAP: Voluntary math and English language arts CST for 11th grade students.
CALIFORNIA ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT TEST, OR CELDT: Tests all newly enrolled students whose primary language is not English and those who are not reclassified as fluent in English annually.
CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM, OR CAHSEE: All public high school students must pass both math and English language arts portions of the test to receive a high school diploma, except for some students with disabilities.
PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST, OR PFT: Tests students in grades 5, 7 and 9 in aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength and endurance, trunk exterior extensor strength and flexibility, upper body strength and endurance, and flexibility
CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAM, OR CHSPE: Voluntary math and English language arts test for students ages 16 and up who have completed or are near completion of grade 10.
GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEST, OR GED: Voluntary national test of math, English language arts, science and social science.
NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS, OR NAEP: National reading and mathematics test in grades 4, 8 and 12 given to sample students in selected schools.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Beginning in 2013-14, suspend portions of the STAR program that are not required under No Child Left Behind or used in the EAP. The following tests would continue: CST, CMA and CAPA in grades 3-8; CST, CMA and CAPA in grades 5, 7 and 10; Grade 11 CST in English language arts, Algebra II and High School Summative Math (for EAP).
2. Fully implement new Common Core tests for math and English language arts beginning in 2014-15 school year in grades 3-8 and 11, administered on computers, except where not feasible for up to three years.
3. Use grade 11 Common Core tests in math and English language arts as indicator of college readiness (replacing voluntary EAP).
4. Develop and administer science tests aligned to new science standards to be adopted in the fall.
5. Develop or use multistate consortia alternate tests in math, English language arts and science for students with severe cognitive disabilities (replacing CAPA).
6. Determine whether tests in languages other than English are still needed, since Common Core tests will include supports and accommodations for English learners. (Could eliminate need to replace STS.)
7. Develop a plan for testing grade levels and subjects not currently assessed.
8. Create a state-approved list of grade 2 math and English language arts tests for voluntary use by schools.
9. Consider alternatives to California High School Exit Exam.
10. Explore possible use of entrance exams based on knowledge and skills for upper high school, college and career training programs.
11. Do a study comparing the new tests to the old tests.
12. Continually evaluate the tests to ensure they are relevant and valid, making improvements as needed.
The complete "Recommendations for Transitioning California to a Future Assessment System" report is at www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr13/yr13rel4.asp.