There are many ways to measure your child’s learning. Your child’s teacher uses classroom work, teacher observations, district assessments, and end-of-year statewide test results to gain a complete picture of your child’s learning.

Each year, students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Your child will take the following tests, depending on their grade level or instructional program:

• Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts and math, required tests in grades 3–8 and 11.
• California Science Test (CAST), a required test in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school. MBUSD administers the CAST in grade 11.
• California Alternative Assessment (CAA) Grades 3rd-8th, and 11th for both ELA and Math. CAA Science 5th, 8th, and 11th.  CAA is for eligible students with an active IEP.

You are an important part of your child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can:

• Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and are there to help, every step of the way.
• Explore the practice tests with your child at caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.

Students participating in the Long Term Independent Study (LTIS) program will be required to come to their home school site to take the SBAC test, in a small group setting.  Your student would be on campus for the duration of the testing window only. 

California Education Code section 60615 allows a parent or guardian to submit a written request to the school site principal to exclude their child from any or all parts of state-mandated assessments.

You will receive your child’s results at or before the beginning of the next school year. To learn more about these tests go to the Starting Smarter web page at ca.startingsmarter.org/, or review the Parent Guides to Understanding at cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.

If you have questions, please contact Katrina O’Connor, MTSS Coordinator at koconnor@mbusd.org