CDE ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDATIONSJanuary 29, 2013
CDE’s Assessment Recommendations
Recommendation #1 Suspend all STAR tests not federally
required or used for EAP & adjust API.
Tests to continue: CST/CMA/CAPA in ELA and Math in Gr. 3-8 CST/CMA/CAPA in Science in Gr. 5, 8, 10 CAPA in ELA and Math in Gr. 10 Grade 11 CST in ELA CST Algebra 2 CST HS Summative Math
Recomm
endation 1 Assessm
ent Suspended
Grade by Grade ComparisonCurrent to Proposed Testing
Recommendation #2 In 2014-15, fully implement Smarter
Balanced ELA and Math assessments: Gr. 3-8, 11.
Paper/pencil option available for 3 years.
If SBAC develops additional assessments for high school, these should be made available to LEAs for local use.
Replaces CSTs and CMA.
Recommendations Timeline
Recommendation #3 Use Gr. 11 SBAC ELA and Math
assessments as indicator of college readiness (instead of CST/EAP).
Recommendation #4 Develop and administer science
assessments aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), when adopted. State Board is scheduled to review & adopt
NGSS in November 2013. Test item types would be consistent with
SBAC assessments: short and extended constructed-response and performance tasks.
Grades to be tested: Gr. 5, 8, and once in 10-12 (federal requirement). Consider using end-of-course assessment as a
possible way to meet high school requirement.
Recommendation #5 Develop or use multistate
consortia alternative assessments Audience: students with severe
cognitive disabilities (current CAPA students)
Subjects: ELA, Math, Science Grade levels:
3-8, 11 for ELA & Math; 5, 8, and once in 10-12 for Science
Recommendation #6 Determine need and purpose of
assessments in other languages Timeline: after SBAC is
operational Reason: SBAC will contain
primary language supports and accommodations for English Learners
Recommendation #7 (Part A) Assess the full curriculum using
assessments that model high-quality teaching and learning activities.
“Over the next several years, consult with stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop a plan for assessing grade levels and curricular areas beyond those required by ESEA in a manner that models high-quality teaching and learning activities.”
Recommendation #7 (Part B) Areas for consideration:
Visual and Performing Arts World Languages Technology Science History/Social Science
Variety of Assessment Options to Assess Efficiently Computer-based tests (with possible matrix
sampling) Locally-scored performance tasks Portfolios
Recommendation #7 (Part C) Explore use of a state assessment
calendar that would schedule the assessment of non-ESEA required subjects over several years.
Release a sample of items to encourage the use of rubrics and related material in professional development activities.
Recommendation #8 Invest in Interim, Diagnostic, and
Formative Tools Create a state-approved list of Gr. 2
diagnostic assessments for ELA & math use Voluntary for LEAs Purchase locally
State should acquire SBAC interim item bank and formative tools to allow complete access for all public schools (Gr. 3-8, 11) Not a mandate No data collection at the state level May extend beyond Gr. 11 in high school
Recommendation #9 Consider alternatives to CAHSEE:
Use of SBAC ELA and Math high school assessments
PSAT, SAT, ACT or AP in conjunction with state-administered assessments
Successful completion of specific courses (yet to be defined)
Relevant end-of-course assessments that may be developed in the future
Matriculation exams, if developed (see Recommendation #10)
Recommendation #10 (Part A) Explore the Possible Use of Matriculation
Exams Already in use in numerous counties to
assess knowledge and skills for entrance into college, career, and/or upper high school levels.
Matriculation Exams can provide students with evidence of their requisite skills for prospective colleges or employers.
Recommendation #10 (Part B) Concept introduced in CA by Bonilla AB 2001
in 2011-12 legislative session: “A plan to bring together elem./secondary school
policy leaders, the community colleges, CSU, UC, private colleges and universities, and postsecondary career technical and vocational programs to develop criteria and create non-punitive pathways in which assessments taken by middle and high school students are aligned with college and career readiness and may be recognized as one of a number of multiple measures for entry into college, placement in college-level courses, and career training.”
Recommendation #11 Conduct Comparability Studies to link
performance on the STAR assessments with performance on SBAC. Would require a representative sample of
students to take both tests at approximately the same time in the same school year.
Comparability studies are proposed for only one year: 2013-14 (although not stated in report) which is the year prior to the formal start of SBAC.
Recommendation #12 Maintain a Continuous Cycle of
Improvement of the Assessment System Ongoing collection of data and information
to evaluate aspects that are working as intended and aspects that need to be reviewed and improved
Provide for periodic independent evaluations of the assessment system to ensure system remains relevant and valid.
Areas Not Included in Recommendations
Grade 2 Summative Testing
Grade 2 Interim Assessments
SBAC Interim Assessments and Formative Tools (R/LA and Math) for Gr. 9-10
CDE’s Next Steps Implementation timeline and budget – within
the next couple of weeks Briefings with legislators, leaders, legislative
staff members Hearings/debates Consulting with stakeholders as assessments
are built in other subject areas (to create a plan for legislators on an assessment system)
Testing suspension (Recommendation 1) is the most urgent