California Assessment of Student
Performance and Progress (CAASPP)
Starting Points: Understanding and
Communicating Baseline Scores
August 26, 2015
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Today’s Agenda
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
1. Share findings from parent focus groups on new
assessments and information parents consider most
helpful.
2. Review details about how results will be reported to
parents and the public.
3. Demonstrate the new CAASPP Web site the public will
access for statewide, county, district and school results.
4. Review new student score reports and online parent
guides available to improve understanding of baseline
scores.
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New Standards and Tests: Challenging for
Schools to Teach and Students to Learn
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
California is raising the bar for good reason —
students need strong math and reading skills to
graduate ready for college and a 21st century
career.
These new tests ask a lot more than the old,
multiple choice exams. Students must now:
• Explain how they solve problems
• Think critically
• Write analytically
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We Need to be Patient
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
• This year is just a starting point. Parents,
teachers and schools should see these results as
a baseline, and focus on helping each student
make as much progress as possible, next year
and beyond.
• The new standards and tests are a big
adjustment. It’s only natural the first year’s scores
will leave lots of room for improvement.
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A Test Score is Just One Part
of a Larger Picture
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
• CAASPP scores provide a key measure of
how students are doing — whether they need
more help or should be accelerated.
• Yet as important as they are, ultimately tests
are just one way to assess the progress of
students — like a report card or grades on
class assignments. An academic check-up,
these tests are simply one tool for teachers to
gauge what students know.
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Scores Show Where
Improvement is Needed
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Addressing the achievement gap is at the heart
of California’s comprehensive plan for improving
education.
California’s new school funding formula provides
greater local flexibility and public transparency
about spending decisions, and helps those
serving high concentrations of English language
learners, low-income students and foster youth
improve and increase services for those
students.
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Understanding Baseline
CAASPP Scores
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Overall scores: Each student will receive an overall score
for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics,
expressed as a number between 2000 and 3000.
Achievement levels: Each overall score falls into one of
four achievement levels: standard not met, standard nearly
met, standard met, and standard exceeded.
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Scale Score Ranges for Mathematics
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
ELA and Mathematics Scale Score Ranges are located at
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/sbscalerange.asp
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Achievement Level Descriptors
Standard Exceeded
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Standard Met
Standard
Nearly Met
Standard
Not Met
Needs substantial
improvement for
success in future
coursework.
Demonstrates
advanced progress
toward mastery.
Demonstrates
progress toward
mastery.
May require further
development for
success in future
coursework.
Find more information about Achievement Level Descriptors at
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/index.asp.
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Claim Results: A Deeper Look
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Within English
Language Arts/Literacy:
Reading
Writing
Speaking and
Listening
Within Mathematics:
Concepts &
Procedures
Problem
Solving & Data
Analysis
Communicating
Reasoning
Research/
Inquiry
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ELA Claim Descriptions
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
ELA and Mathematics Claim Descriptions are located at
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/index.asp.
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Mathematics Claim Descriptions
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
ELA and Mathematics Claim Descriptions are located at
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/index.asp.
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Tools for Understanding
Baseline Assessment Results
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
• Public Web site: Statewide, county, district
and school results.
• Individual Student Score Reports: Mailed to
parents and guardians.
• Parent Guides: Comprehensive online
guidance by grade and subject.
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CAASPP Baseline Results
Web Site
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
•
•
•
Complete statewide, county, district and school baseline results.
Drop-down search functions.
Common graphics and result displays for ease of use.
CAASPP results are located on the CDE Web page at
http://caaspp.cde.ca.gov/.
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Using Drop-Down Search
to Access Results
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
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Overall Results: Both Graphics and Tables
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
16
Claim Results: A Deeper Look
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
17
Using Drop-Down Menus to
Access Student Group Results
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
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Student Group Reports: Overall and
Claim-Level Results
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
19
Individual Student Score Reports
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Dynamic report: Text
changes based on grade
and student performance
Performance within one
of four levels:
• Standard exceeded
• Standard met
• Standard nearly met
• Standard not met
Review full sample student score reports at
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/caaspp15scorerpt.pdf
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Overall Scores at a Glance
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
•
•
•
•
Straightforward, easy to read descriptions
Results comparable across schools, districts and states
Dynamic text based on student performance
Bar shows range of likely performance
Find more information about achievement levels at
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/index.asp.
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Claim-Level Results:
Demonstrating Specific Skills
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Reports
performance
within one of
three levels:
•
Above Standard
•
At or Near
Standard
•
Below Standard
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CAASPP Parent Guides:
A comprehensive online resource
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
• Subject by subject, grade
by grade sample
questions.
• Sample items explain
academic standards
being addressed.
• Examples note the kinds
of questions students
must answer correctly to
reach each achievement
level.
The Parent Guides will be posted on the CDE CAASPP Web page at
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/index.asp?tabsection=3#ssr.
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Parent Guide: Sample
Grade 5 Mathematics Question
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
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Parent Guide: Sample
Grade 3 Mathematics Question
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
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Key Takeaways
and Your Questions
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
• Parents value straightforward information about the
challenges these new assessments represent.
• They’re willing to be patient — they understand that major
changes take time.
• They’re looking for help understanding the goals of the new
standards and assessments.
• The new tools created to inform parents and the public are
there to help.
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For Further Information
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
California Department of Education’s Newsroom
http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/
California Department of Education’s CAASPP
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/
Frequently Asked Questions about CAASPP
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/sbcommonqa.asp
Parent Guides and Other Resources
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/
Sample Student Score Reports
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/caaspp15rpttalkpts.asp
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