Dear Parent/Guardian:
Each year, students in grades three through eight and high school participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Assessment System. Depending on the grade level and instructional program in which your child is enrolled, your child will take one or more of the following tests:
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics are required in grades 3–8 and 11.
- California Science Test (CAST) is required in grades 5 and 8 and once in grade 11 or grade 12. Students with the most significant disabilities and whose IEP team has designated the use of alternate assessments take the CAA for Science.
At Encino Charter Elementary, our goal is for all students to achieve their full potential. The CAASPP test results are one way we can better understand if we are meeting that goal. We will start administering CAASPP assessments the week of May 4, 2026. The ELA portion of the test will be administered on May 5, 2026 and May 7, 2026. Math will be administered on May 12, 2026 and May 14, 2026. Fifth graders will also take the California Science Test (CAST) on May 19, 2026.
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 https://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html so your child can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.
- Remind your child that you and the teacher want them to do their best and are there to help them prepare.
In early fall of 2026, the State will make available your child’s score report, which will include the scores for all the tests your child takes this spring. When combined with other measures such as grades, classwork, and teacher observations, these test scores give families and teachers a more complete picture of the student’s learning. You can securely access, download, and print your child’s current and prior year’s test score reports in the LAUSD Parent Portal (https://parentportalapp.lausd.net/parentaccess/).
Parents or guardians have the option of exempting their child(ren) from participating in the CAASPP program. If you would like to exempt your child, please submit your request in writing to your school as soon as possible so we can make alternative arrangements for your child on the date of the test. Note that if the request is submitted to the school after the student has started testing, any tests the student has completed will be scored and a report may be generated. Please submit your request to Mrs. Rodriguez at [email protected].
To learn more about CAASPP, go to the Starting Smarter web page at https://ca.startingsmarter.org/, or review the Parent Guides to Understanding at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.
Thank you for all that you do to partner with us in your child’s education. If you have any questions regarding CAASPP testing at our school, please contact Encino Charter Elementary at 818-784-1762 or Ms. Rodriguez at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Principal Besser