CAASPP Communications Toolkit
The CAASPP Communications Toolkit is a link to Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment resources, including communications and key informational documents to inform schools, families, and community representatives about online summative testing.
Communications About Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments
- CAASPP Communication-Related Common Questions about Smarter Balanced Assessments – A document that addresses common questions that are asked about the Smarter Balanced Assessments.
- CAASPP Communication about Smarter Balanced – Addresses the Smarter Balanced Comprehensive Plan and the collaborative role of teachers to facilitate the changes being implemented to improve teaching and learning.
- Creating a Computer Adaptive Test (English)
(PDF) | Creating a Computer Adaptive Test (Spanish) (PDF)
This document describes the two criteria for creating an online, adaptive test and how the adaptive software works for the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments. - Accessibility and Accommodations: Meeting the Needs of all Students (English) (PDF) | Accessibility and Accommodations: Meeting the Needs of all Students (Spanish) (PDF)
This document highlights the timeline for research and development that was key to the work behind creating online assessments that support learning for all students. - Smarter Balanced and Teachers: Preparing Students for Success (English) (PDF) | Smarter Balanced and Teachers: Preparing Students for Success (Spanish) (PDF)
This document from Smarter Balanced describes the benefits of an online assessment, along with key features and additional resources that help support teaching and learning in every classroom. - Smarter Balanced Parents Factsheet (English) (PDF) | Smarter Balanced Parents Factsheet -Spanish (PDF)
This document describes how new tests based on the Common Core State Standards can help prepare students to graduate high school ready for college and the workplace. - California PTA – This Web site provides resources and information about the new Smarter Balanced assessments built to help students, parents, teachers, and school leaders know where students are on the path to success.
- Videos – Brief student videos gives key information about the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments and how to get additional information about testing in the State of California.
- An Academic Checkup (Video; 2:44), a video about the Smarter Balanced assessments produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
- High School Students (Video; 3:37) | Spanish (Coming soon)
- Elementary and Middle School Students (Video; 3:18) | Spanish (Coming soon)
Communications About Smarter Balanced Assessments and Higher Education
- College and Career-Ready Assessments (PDF) – This document describes the benefits of the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for students, parents, teachers, and policy makers.
- Higher Education FAQs (PDF) – This newly updated document answers key questions about the Smarter Balanced Assessments and how they support higher education.
Smarter Balanced Web Site links
- Smarter Balanced Parents and Student Page – A Smarter Balanced Web page that provides access to fact sheets, questions and answers, and resources in English and Spanish.
- Support for Under-Represented Students – A Smarter Balanced Web page that provides information and resources for under-represented students.
- Spanish Resources – A Smarter Balanced Web page that provides resources and information in Spanish.
Questions: California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Office | caaspp@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-8765