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Assessments

CALIFORNIA ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND PROGRESS (CAASPP)

Every year, California students take several statewide tests that measure progress towards California’s academic standards. When combined with other measures such as grades, class work, and teacher observations, these tests provide a more complete picture of student learning. 

Every spring, our junior students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) assessments which includes three assessments, including the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Mathematics and English Language Arts assessments and the California Science Test (CAST). Any senior who did not take the CAST test during their junior year, will be required to do so during their senior year.  The table below summarizes the assessments:

Assessment

Standards Assessed

Grade Assessed

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment  (online)

Common Core English Language Arts  

11th grade

Smarter Balanced Assessment  (online)

Common Core Mathematics

11th grade

California Science Test CAST  (online)

Next Generation Science Standards

11th grade & 12th graders (if not taken in 11th grade)

 

 

 

 

It is important that families partner with Tamalpais Union High School district to ensure students participate in these assessments. There are many reasons why these tests are important to our students and to our schools: 

  • Student achievement data informs colleges/universities and postsecondary institutions about the rigor of our TUHSD schools academic program.

  • Student achievement data is an indicator of student progress towards State adopted Common Core standards including critical thinking, problem-solving, application and analysis.

  • Student achievement data informs our schools and teachers about the skills our students are learning so we can strengthen and improve our instructional program.

  • Students may use SBAC results to determine a placement into math and English courses at the California State University and participating CA community colleges. For more information about the Early Assessment Program (EAP), visit www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/eapindex.asp.

  • Earning a score of at or above the “standard met” achievement level is one element in earning the Seal of Biliteracy. In previous years, a number of TUHSD students did not earn the Seal of Biliteracy because they did not take the SBAC. Here is more information from CDE about the Seal of Biliteracy: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/sealofbiliteracy.asp

  • SBAC test results are reflected in the California School Dashboard Report, the state’s system for measuring the quality of California schools. Colleges and universities assess the quality of a high school program in part by a school’s dashboard results.

  • Federal grants and funding, as well as federal accountability, is tied to a school’s ability to demonstrate that a minimum of 95% of eligible students participated in the SBAC.
     

For more information about the CAASPP assessments, please visit:

About our California Schools Dashboard:

  • The CAASPP tests, ELA and Math are two of six state measures on the California Dashboard that provide information on how our schools are serving our students 

  • The data gathered from the CAASPP assessments help teachers understand their impact on student learning and provide data points that inform practices. In addition, this data informs us how  our schools in TUHSD compare to schools with similar profiles. 

  • Because CAASPP tests are given statewide, they provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards. 

  • The California Dashboards also give colleges and universities an indicator about program strengths and challenges. 

  • Our academic indicators on the dashboard include measurements for English Language Arts and Mathematics which are determined by a 95% student participation rate and student progress towards meeting our California Common Core Standards on the SBAC assessments. 

  • An important note to families is that participation is critical so that our dashboard reflects our programs and student achievement. When we don’t reach our 95% participation rate, we receive a penalty that is then reflected on the Dashboard. 

  • California Federal grants and funding, as well as federal accountability, is tied to our schools’ ability to demonstrate that a minimum of 95% of eligible students participated in the CAASPP.

We highly recommend students participate in these assessments for a variety of reasons but parents, under Title 5, Section 852 have the right to submit a written request to opt out their student from all or part of this assessment. We hope that you recognize the value and importance of having your student participate in the CAASPP tests. Please contact your school’s Site Testing Coordinator for the process necessary to opt your student out from these important assessments. 
 

PHYSCIAL FITNESS TESTING

FITNESSGRAM®-All 9th grade students in TUHSD take these assessments between February 1st and May 31st in the Physcial Education Class. 

The FITNESSGRAM® is composed of the following five fitness areas, and given to all 9th grade student enrolled in Physcial Education in the TUHSD district. The FITNESSGRAM® uses objective criteria to evaluate performance for each fitness area. The Cooper Institute established these criteria using current research and expert opinions. These criteria represent a level of fitness that offers some protection against the diseases associated with physical inactivity.

An overview of the Physical Fitness Test can be found at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/

 Fitness Areas Assessed:

  • Aerobic Capacity-One-Mile Run

  • Abdominal Strength and Endurance-Curl-Up

  • Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility-Trunk Lift

  • Upper Body Strength and Endurance-Push-Up

  • Flexibility-Back-Saver Sit and Reach