Testing » California State Testing

California State Testing

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The State of California uses many tests to assess the progress of students. Common Core state tests have been used since the 2013-2014 school year.

The Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests used in previous years to determine student performance and school API scores were replaced with California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests. Primary among the CAASPP tests is the the California Smarter Balanced Field Test.

Three types of assessments are made during the Smarter Balanced testing week:

  1. Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
  2. Performance Task (PT)
  3. California Science Test (CAST)
Read the Principal's March 2024 letter about state testing: English • Spanish

Spring 2025 Testing Schedule

  • Monday, April 28, 2025: SBAC Testing (minimum day)
  • Tuesday, April 29, 2025: SBAC Testing
  • Wednesday, April 30, 2025: SBAC Testing (minimum day)
  • Thursday, May 1, 2025: SBAC Testing (minimum day)
  • Friday, May 2, 2025: SBAC Testing (minimum day)

Spring 2024 Testing Schedule

There will be a special bell schedule on these days.

Date 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade Shortened Day (dismissal at 2:11pm)
Wed May 1 ELA CAT Assessment ELA CAT Assessment ELA CAT Assessment √
Thu May 2 Math CAT Assessment Math CAT Assessment Math CAT Assessment √
Wed May 8 ELA PT Assessment ELA PT Assessment ELA PT Assessment √
Thu May 9 Math PT Assessment Math PT Assessment Math PT Assessment √
Fri May 10 CAST   CAST √
May 13 to 24 Make-Up Test Make-Up Test Make-Up Test  
 

"ELA" is English Language Arts.

Subject CAT Assessment PT Assessment CAST
ELA 2 hours 1 minute 2 hours 15 minutes  
Math 2 hours 2 hours 1 minute  
Science     2 hours
 

"ELA" is English Language Arts.

What to Do on a Test Day

Please make sure your child comes to school on time, well rested, having eaten a good breakfast, and with their device fully charged.

Make-up test days are available for students who are absent the day of a California State Test.

Kudos for Palms

Based on California Standards Tests in English and Math, LAUSD repeatedly gave the Palms Gifted/High Ability Magnet its top designation: Model of Excellence.

Each year since 2011-2012, LAUSD has recognized the Palms Middle School Magnet as an Excelling Magnet or an Achieving Magnet (the top 2 categories) based on the School Performance Framework (SPF).

Taking Practice Tests

Students can take practice tests to prepare for the new California state tests.

Sample 8th grade science question:

sample 8th grade science question

See also

Testing Coordinator