CAASPP Testing

While other students enjoyed their block schedules, juniors were busy taking standardized tests.

From May 15th to May 26th, juniors at Las Lomas and all across California had to participate in CAASPP testing, or also known as the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress.

The test, which is the product of the new Common Core system, tested students on their math, science, and English skills. The science portion of the exam was a new addition to the overall testing procedure this year.

Another change was that all of the exams were done on computers, completely replacing physical test booklets and answer sheets.

As part of the Smarter Balance format, this assessment altogether replaced the typical STAR testing procedures with material that required more critical thinking.

According to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the CAASPP is customized for every student, accessible to all, useful for improving teaching, and relevant for life after high school.

Rose Peckham, a junior at Las Lomas, felt that the testing was not accessible to all juniors, and that it was poorly timed.

“People don’t take it seriously and just put random stuff and it’s hard because some students aren’t in high math classes so they don’t know what they are doing on some questions or don’t remember geometry. I’m not in a science so for the science part I guessed the entire thing. It was just unnecessary stress especially towards the end of the year when we have to start worrying about finals,” she said.

Teachers, like students, also become overwhelmed by the testing, especially when they were in the midst of preparing finals and wrapping everything else up for the end of the school year.

“I wouldn’t do it so late in the year after AP testing, especially since a lot of kids opt out. If they did it in say, February, then maybe, but in May it’s hard with stress and AP’s,” said English teacher Stan Heard.

As stressful as the test may be for some, it is still important for teachers, administration, lawmakers, and even industries.

Teachers determine how well they have taught their students based on the data, and what they need to work on in the future. Administrators also consider the data to develop new curriculum, make technology purchasing decisions, and assess the students and teachers overall. Lawmakers need results from the CAASPP testing in order to consider changes to Common Core standards. Industries, whose profits come from taxpayer dollars, need data from testing to ensure their products are useful and helpful in an educational environment.

CAASPP testing is especially important to Las Lomas because the results also determine certain funding the school gets. Amy Geotina, the school’s Associate Principal, discussed the detrimental effects of not participating in the required testing.

“It requires a 95% participation rate, so if we have less than 95% it actually impacts federal funding. Last year we did have less than 95%, so if that occurs for several years, that means it could hurt our funding. This year, however, it’s looking like the numbers will be higher, which is great. The results of our CAASPP tests are compiled in the Department of Education and used by families moving into the areas, and even by colleges to determine rankings,” she said.

Now that CAASPP testing is over, students can focus on finishing the school year and enjoying the upcoming and well-deserved summer break.