Upcoming State Testing for ICA Students

This article was last modified on April 9th, 2021.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Each year, students in grades three through eight and high school participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).

This year, your child will take the following test(s), depending on their grade level:

• Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven
• California Science Test (CAST) in grades five and eight and once in high school

The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments and the CAST are online tests that measure what your student knows and is able to do. The tests include many different types of questions that allow students to interact with the test questions. Results help identify gaps in knowledge or skills early on so your child can get the support needed to be successful in school.

All Helendale School District School sites will be testing between April 12, 2021, and July 31, 2021

You are an important part of your child’s education. To help your child get ready for the test you can:

• Talk about the test with your child. Make sure they are not scared or anxious.
• Tell your child that you and their teacher have high expectations and are both there to help, every step of the way.
• Take a practice test with your child.
• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.

To learn more about the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments or the CAST, go to the California Department of Education Parent Guides to Understanding web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.

You also can look at sample test questions on the practice tests, which can be found on the CAASPP Web Portal at http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html.

If you have questions, please contact Dr. Esposito at (760)952-1766 mesposito@helendalesd.com.

The CCCs identify priorities in each content area to guide the instruction for students in this population and for the alternate assessment.

Sincerely,
Ross Swearingen
Helendale School District Superintendent

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