Assessment
SSFUSD schools rely on accountability and documented student achievement to monitor progress and inform decision making in support of District and school goals and student outcomes. Assessment of student learning takes many forms, including classroom activities and observations by staff, student individual and group work, formative and summative assessments. The Educational Services department is responsible for directing the administration of and reporting the results of several state and local assessments.
California State Testing
Each year, California students take assessments as part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) system. Students in grades 3-8 and 11 school take the Smarter Balanced or California Alternate Assessments in English-Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, and students in grades 5, 8, and 12 take the California Science Test (CAST) or California Alternate Assessment in Science. Students in grades 5, 7, and 9 take the California Physical Fitness test (also known as FitnessGram). English Language Learners in all grade levels also take the Summative English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPAC).
These tests are aligned to the State of California's content standards and provide students, families, and educators with information about how students are progressing toward content mastery and college and career readiness.
SSFUSD also continues to assess and monitor all students with local assessments throughout the school year.
State Testing for Spring 2024
State testing begins in February with the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) Summative and Physical Fitness Tests. CAASPP testing (Smarter Balanced, California Alternate, and California Science) will take place in April and May. Prior to that, schools will begin using practice tests and interim assessments to familiarize students with test formats and tools. The district's testing windows are listed below. Please check with your school site for specific dates and schedules. The assessments are a valuable tool for our schools and staff to monitor student and school progress toward academic goals. SSFUSD encourages and supports all students in taking these assessments as one way to demonstrate their learning.
Contact Dr. Marianne Hew, Director of Student Performance, Program Evaluation, and Instructional Interventions at 650-877-8835 or mhew[at]ssfusd.org with questions regarding state testing.
Testing Schedule for 2023-2024
Schools determine their exact testing dates within the testing window. Please refer to school websites and communications from the school principal for school-specific testing schedules.
|
State Assessment |
Subject |
Who Takes It |
Testing Window* |
|
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) or Alternate ELPAC |
English language |
English Language Learners K-12
IEP team may designate students to take alternate assessment.
|
Priority dates: 2/01 to 3/28 Makeups through 5/17 |
|
Smarter Balanced (SBAC) California Alternate Assessment (CAA) |
English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics |
Grades 3-8 & 11
IEP team may designate students to take alternate assessment. |
Grade 11:
3/18 - 5/05
Grades 3-8:
4/08 to 5/17
|
| California Science Test (CAST)
or California Alternate Assessment (CAA) |
|
Grades 5, 8, and 12
IEP team may designate students to take alternate assessment. |
Grade 12:
3/18 - 5/05
Grades 5 and 8:
4/08 to 5/17
|
|
FitnessGram
|
Physical fitness
|
Grades 5,7, 9, and students enrolled in PE 9
|
2/01 to 5/17 |
Learn more about CAASSPP Assessments and how to support your student
State Assessment Results from Spring 2023
Test results for CAASPP, CAST, ELPAC, and Physical Fitness are available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you need assistance accessing Infinite Campus Parent Portal or with obtaining paper copies of your student's score reports, please contact your student's school.