California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
Name	California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
Abbreviation	CAASPP
Administered by	California Department of Education
Established	2014
Jurisdiction	California

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress is a statewide student testing system implemented in California and administered by the California Department of Education. It replaced earlier assessment programs used under the No Child Left Behind Act and aligns with the Common Core State Standards Initiative adopted by numerous state education agencies and supported by organizations such as the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association. The program informs policy decisions by state officials including the Governor of California and legislators in the California State Legislature.

Overview

CAASPP comprises a suite of assessments including the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium assessments in English language arts and mathematics, the California Science Test aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, and alternate assessments used in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The system is overseen by the California State Board of Education in coordination with county offices such as the Los Angeles County Office of Education and measurement contractors like private testing firms and research organizations exemplified by partnership models used by the American Institutes for Research and ETS (Educational Testing Service). Results produce accountability metrics reported to superintendents, boards such as the San Francisco Board of Education, and federal entities including the United States Department of Education.

History and Development

The CAASPP emerged in the aftermath of federal policy shifts during the tenure of presidents including Barack Obama and legislative frameworks shaped by Congress and state lawmakers. It succeeded systems like the California Standards Tests and the Standardized Testing and Reporting program after California adopted the Common Core State Standards and engaged with multistate consortia such as Smarter Balanced and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. Implementation involved rulemaking by the California State Board of Education, budget appropriation debates in the California State Legislature, and technical work with research partners such as WestEd and universities like the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University.

Test Design and Content

Test blueprints for CAASPP were developed through collaboration among curriculum experts from institutions such as California State University, Long Beach, assessment designers affiliated with the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, and standards authors from panels modeled after work by the National Assessment Governing Board. Items include machine-scored multiple-choice and technology-enhanced tasks, performance tasks requiring constructed responses, and science items aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards; development drew on psychometric techniques used by organizations such as ACT, Inc. and College Board. Accessibility features and accommodations reflect guidance from the Office for Civil Rights (United States) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, while English language proficiency components coordinate with frameworks like the WIDA Consortium and policies from the California English Language Development Test program.

Administration and Scoring

CAASPP administration occurs annually in spring testing windows set by the California Department of Education and implemented by local educational agencies including districts such as the Oakland Unified School District and San Diego Unified School District. Testing uses secure online platforms managed by contractors akin to systems utilized by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium and follows security protocols referenced in guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Scoring combines automated scoring engines similar to those used by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and human scoring panels as applied in large-scale programs like the Advanced Placement Program; psychometric calibration relies on methods endorsed by the American Educational Research Association and the National Council on Measurement in Education.

Uses and Impact on Education Policy

CAASPP results inform school accountability frameworks administered by the California State Board of Education and funding decisions debated in the California State Legislature and executive offices such as the Office of the Governor of California. Data influence interventions directed by county offices of education and local school boards including policy shifts in districts like Fresno Unified School District and Long Beach Unified School District. Aggregate scores contribute to research by universities including UCLA and policy analyses by think tanks such as the Public Policy Institute of California, affecting teacher evaluation debates involving unions like the California Teachers Association and collective bargaining units represented by groups similar to the American Federation of Teachers.

Criticisms and Controversies

CAASPP has faced criticism from stakeholders including parent groups, advocacy organizations like Parents for Public Schools, and political figures in the California State Legislature over issues such as testing time, data privacy concerns raised in lawsuits and hearings before bodies like the California Supreme Court, and the role of standardized testing in accountability debates influenced by commentators in outlets covering the Los Angeles Times and The Sacramento Bee. Controversies have involved technical failures during administration reminiscent of issues seen in other large-scale systems, debates about alignment with the Common Core State Standards Initiative, and disputes over the use of test results in teacher evaluations contested by unions such as the California Federation of Teachers and legal challenges involving civil rights organizations.

Category:Education in California