LEO by Ms. Ripken

State Testing (CAASPP)

April 27- May 1, 2026

Mon- ELA CAT

Tues.- ELA PT

Wed.- Math CAT

Thurs.- MATH- PT

Friday- 5th & 8th CAST (Science)

Requirement

Description

Instructional materials removed or covered

Instructional materials must be removed or covered, including, but not limited to, information that might assist students in answering questions that is displayed on bulletin boards, chalkboards, or dry-erase boards, or on charts (e.g., wall charts that contain literary definitions, maps, mathematics formulas, etc.).

Student seating

Students must be seated to minimize opportunities to look at each other’s work—for example, students may be assigned staggered seating or be seated in every other chair or workstation position—or they should be provided with tabletop partitions.

Signage

Place a “TESTING IN PROGRESS-DO NOT DISTURB” (PDF) sign on the door or post signs in halls and entrances rerouting hallway traffic, as well as an “Unauthorized Electronic Devices May Not Be Used at Any Time During the Testing Session” (PDF) sign in the testing environment, to promote optimum testing conditions.

Requirement

Description

Quiet environment

Provide a quiet environment void of talking or other distractions that might interfere with a student’s ability to concentrate or might compromise the testing situation or environment.

Student supervision

Accessing or using unauthorized electronic devices that allow access to outside information, communication among students or with other individuals outside the testing environment, or the ability to photograph or copy test content are not permitted. This includes any device with cellular, messaging, or wireless capabilities, but it is not limited to cell phones, smart watches, personal digital assistants, tablets, iPods, or other mp3 devices, cameras, and electronic translation devices.

Access to allowable resources only

• Students must only have access to and use those allowable resources within the testing platform.  
• Students may use blank paper for each test. Must tear up at the end of the testing period on camera. 

Access to assessments

Unauthorized staff or other adults (including students’ parents/guardians) must not be in the room during testing. Only students who are testing can view items. Based on the item type (i.e., PTs), trained TAs may also have limited exposure to items when properly administering the assessments; however, even TAs or TEs, and other trained staff must not actively review, record, or analyze any test items. However, TEs administering the CAAs will be exposed to test items in the course of properly administering the assessments.

NO OUTSIDE HELP DURING TEST- Question directed to Ms. Ripken only.

Testing through a secure browser

Administration of the CAASPP assessments is permitted only through the student interface via a secure browser or a method of securing the student's device.

Requirement

Description

No access to responses

LEA CAASPP coordinators, CAASPP test site coordinators, TAs, and other staff are not permitted to review student responses to the Smarter Balanced assessments, CAST, or CSA in the testing interface or students’ notes on scratch paper.

No copies of test materials

Unless needed as a print-on-demand or braille accommodation, no copies of the test items, stimuli, reading passages, PT materials, or writing prompts may be made or otherwise retained.

No access to digital, electronic, or manual devices

No digital, electronic, or manual device may be used to record or retain test items, reading passages, or writing prompts. Similarly, these materials must not be discussed with or released to anyone via any media, including fax, email, text message, social media websites, etc.

No retaining, discussing, or releasing of test materials

Descriptions of test items, stimuli, printed reading passages, or writing prompts must not be retained, discussed, or released to anyone.

No reviewing, discussing, or analyzing test materials

LEA CAASPP coordinators, CAASPP test site coordinators, TAs, and other staff must not review, discuss, or analyze test items, stimuli, reading passages, or writing prompts at any time, including before, during, or after testing. Student interaction with a TA or TE during a test is limited to necessary communication (such as permission to leave the room) or to respond during any CAA. Students should be informed that they may not discuss or share test items, stimuli, reading passages, or writing prompts with anyone during or after testing.

Letter from Mrs.Beck, Principal

Dear Parent/Guardian:

There are many ways to measure your child’s learning. Your child’s teacher uses report card grades, classroom work, teacher observations, and end-of-year statewide test results to get a complete picture of your child’s learning. Each year, students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Your child will take the following tests, depending on their grade level or instructional program:

● Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts and math, required tests in grades 3–8 and 11

● California Science Test (CAST), a required test in grades 5 and 8, and once in high school

Your child will take the test at home. They will connect with a school staff member on the computer. Your child will be monitored through a web camera and microphone so the test administrator can provide support while taking the test. The test will not be recorded.

The testing schedule is listed below:

April 27 & 28- CAASPP ELA 

April 29 & 30 - CAASPP Math

May 1-5th & 8th grades only -  CAST 

You are an important part of your child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can:

● Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, and they should not be

anxious or scared.

● Explore the practice tests with your child at caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests. 

● Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and are there to help, every step of the way.

● Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep and has a healthy breakfast in the morning. 

● It is important that your student gets to school on time, especially on testing days.  You will receive your child’s results at or before the beginning of the next school year. The results will identify where your child is doing well or needs more help, so you can better support their learning at home and teachers can better support their learning in the classroom. To learn more about these tests, go to the Starting Smarter web page at ca.startingsmarter.org/,or /or review the Parent Guides to Understanding at cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp. 

If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Beck at [email protected].

Lammersville Unified School District

With appreciation,

Heidi Beck

Principal