CAASPP

In case you were wondering, this year, your child will be taking their first state test, starting in April. It is entirely on the computer, so those typing skills are very important!

www.caaspp.org

How Do We Prepare?

In Class

We will practice each test with a paper version, so that there is ample time to discuss the questions and review the answers. This will help students feel comfortable with the content and rigor of each of the four tests.

We will also have several computer sessions where students can take practice tests online to familiarize themselves with the technology aspects of the tests.

At Home

You can have students take the practice test online (Practice Test). It is the same as the one we are thoroughly practicing in class--but you can also try out the 4th grade version too. However, the test is NOT SCORED and DOES NOT SAVE your results, so if you would like to "check" your child's answers, you would need to do so as they take the test. The answer document can be found here. (Click on Scoring Guides, Grade 3). HERE are also two additional ELA Performance Task Practice Tests, which is the hardest section of the test, as it requires a multi-paragraph essay. You can print them out and have students work on these without a computer, too.

Practice Test: (Full Version): http://www.smarterbalanced.org/assessments/practice-and-training-tests/

RESULTS WILL NOT BE SAVED or SCORED

---scroll down, click the Blue Button "Go the the Test"

--Sign in as a Guest

--Choose 3rd grade

-- The two "training tests" are not what we take in class--they are just short, sample versions of the tests

Scoring Guides: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/assessments/practice-and-training-tests/resources-and-documentation/

If you want results, you, as a parent, need to look at your child's computer screen as they proceed through the test

--Click "Scoring Guides"

--Grade 3

--There is an "answer key" for all four tests, not the training tests. The Braille test is for the hearing impaired students and is not applicable to our class.

What Does the Test Entail?

There are 4 parts of the test, one per week for 4 weeks. The tests are not timed, but after the recommended time, students who are still not finished may be condensed and have to finish in another room.

ELA (English Language Arts): DATE: TBD

Two reading passages that have multiple choice questions and short answers

• Two listening passages--students hear the story and answer questions
• Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation and Writing multiple choice-type answers
• Around 30 questions, about 1.5 hour testing session

ELA Performance Task: DATE: TBD

• Students read several articles on one subject
• There are 3 short answer questions about the passages
• Students then are required to write an essay or story using information from the passages
  • It is random whether the students are assigned a narrative, expository, or opinion prompt. Different students in the class receive different prompts.
• About a 2.5 hour testing session, spread over 2 days
• (2 Extra practice tests are attached in the locker section to the left)

Math: DATE: TBD

• Around 30 questions, of varying type
• Include short answer, multiple choice, graphing, and sorting activities
• About a 1 hour testing session

Math Performance Task: DATE: TBD

• An in-depth scenario is presented and students answer a series of about 4 connected problems
• Usually, one answer depends on the accuracy of a previous answer
• About a 1 hour testing session

Hope that helps you prepare!