CAASPP Testing Strategies

The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments are part of the state testing system called the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). These assessments provide results that are just one piece of information about how your child is doing in school. Along with report cards, i-Ready diagnostic assessments, and day-to-day observations, state testing results help families understand their child’s readiness for success in higher grades, college, and career.

During the testing week from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., students in grades 3-8 will take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment for language arts and math. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 will also take the California Science Test (CAST) for science.

The California Department of Education Starting Smarter webpage provides families with additional assessment resources, sample questions, and support in understanding score reports.

Here are some great strategies/skills to review now with your kids to help them prepare:

Eliminate Answers

RACES Writing Strategy

Mental Math

Purposeful Reading

Common Question Types 

Teach Text Structure

Make Word Problems a Priority

Context Clues

In addition, check out this resource or consult our counseling team for extra support to help your students if they are feeling anxious or nervous about testing. You can also reach out to the counseling team directly:

Ms. Allie Whalen (TK-8th grade) – awhalen@sageoak.education 

Ms. Coral Prendergast (High School) at cprendergast@sageoak.education