April 21, 2017
Our third and fourth graders will be participating in the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments May 15-19, 2017, which are part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System. (May 22-25 will be make-up days for students who missed any part of the testing.)
Why is this test important?
This test was created with teacher input to…
- Measure how well your child has mastered the skills and content in mathematics and English language arts at his or her grade level
- Align with the instruction that takes place in the classroom everyday
- Match the learning goals of each grade level
- Assess critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem solving skills, which are needed for success in college and a 21st century career.
The test has different kinds of questions, including traditional multiple-choice questions as well as ones that require students to explain their answers, show their work, and compose essays.
What should I expect after my student takes the test?
As you may remember from last year’s score report, each subject will be broken down into areas. The report shows how students are doing in each area and where they need help. Depending on the student’s needs, teachers can use this information to provide targeted help to students to address their needs.
But remember, the results from this test aren’t meant to tell the whole story. Your child’s scores are meant to be one of several ways for you and your child’s teacher to see how your student is progressing in school. Test scores, along with student report cards and teacher’s observations of your child’s performance in the classroom, are used together to form a complete picture of your child’s achievement.
Where can I learn more?
Information about the specific dates and times when your child will take the test in each subject will be coming soon. I also encourage you to take a look at a practice test for your child’s grade level. The practice tests are posted on the California Department of Education’s Smarter Balanced Practice Tests website. To find out more details about the Smarter Balanced test, visit the “Be a Learning Hero” website.
At Francophone School, our goal is for all students to achieve their full potential. The Smarter Balanced tests are just one way that we are able to better understand if we are meeting that goal. Thank you for all you do to partner with us in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Lori MacDonald