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What Is the CAASPP and Who Takes It?

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is a state-mandated assessment required for all public school students in California, including those enrolled in online charter schools like CalPac. Administered each spring, the CAASPP is an online test designed to measure how well students have mastered grade-level content standards in core subject areas.

The CAASPP evaluates a range of important academic skills, including your ability to:

  • Analyze, reason, and solve problems

  • Write effectively

  • Interpret and comprehend complex texts

  • Apply mathematical concepts and procedures to real-world scenarios

These skills are essential for success in college, career, and life beyond school.

What Are the SBA and CAST?

The CAASPP includes two main components:

 

Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA)

  • Assesses English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics

  • Delivered as a computer-adaptive test, meaning the questions adjust in difficulty based on your responses

  • Provides a more personalized and accurate measure of student achievement

 

California Science Test (CAST)

  • Assesses student understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

  • Delivered as a fixed-form test, meaning all students take the same set of questions

  • Designed to evaluate scientific reasoning, problem-solving, and application of science concepts

Why Is CAASPP Testing Important?

The CAASPP plays a vital role in helping students, families, educators, and schools better understand academic progress. For CalPac and other online charter schools, CAASPP results:

  • Help identify individual student strengths and areas for improvement

  • Guide educators in tailoring instruction and academic support

  • Serve as an important tool for school accountability and program evaluation

  • Demonstrate that online schools meet the same rigorous standards as traditional public schools

  • Provide data to show college and career readiness

 

By participating in CAASPP, students contribute to a clearer picture of how well their school is preparing them for future success. It also sends a strong message to parents, educators, and policymakers that online charter schools are committed to delivering a high-quality, standards-based education.