The CAASPP also includes a California Science Test (CAST)for grades 5, 8, and once in high school (10th-12th). The CAST is NOT adaptive and consists of 32-46 stand-alone questions and 2 or more performance tasks, with 4-8 items in each. Questions can be multiple-choice, where the student selects one or more options; constructed-response, where the student writes a text response; or technology-enhanced, where the student performs an action (such as indicating a part of a graphic), selects an option from a drop-down menu, completes a data table or diagram using drag-and-drop functionality or otherwise responds in a way that takes advantage of the online test delivery platform.
What is the CAST?
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP YOUR CHILD?
- Discuss the test with your child and set expectations
- Take a practice test with your child
- Make sure your child gets a good night's rest and has a nutritious breakfast before testing!
BOZEMAN SCIENCE VIDEOS
NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS
CALIFORNIA ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT (CAA) FOR SCIENCE
The purpose of the CAA for Science is to measure what students know and can do in science. These measures help identify and address gaps in knowledge or skills early so students can receive the support they need.
Only eligible students may participate in the administration of the CAA for Science. Any student identified for alternate testing takes the alternate version of all assessments. The CAA for Science is administered to students in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade ten, eleven, or twelve).
Individualized education program (IEP) teams “shall determine when a child with the most significant cognitive disability shall participate in an alternate assessment aligned with the alternate academic achievement standards.” (Title 1, Part A, Subpart 1, Sec. 1111(b)(2)(D)(ii)(I)—Every Student Succeeds Act, 2015).
The CAA for Science is aligned with alternate achievement standards—called the Science Core Content Connectors—and are linked to the performance expectations from the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS).