CASSPP testing (SBAC, CAST, and ELPAC)

As you may know, while the federal government has mandated that we engage in end-of-the-year testing, the State of California has allowed school districts to opt for an alternative test this year, given the circumstances of COVID-19 and the challenges of reopening school. NUSD has therefore opted to utilize Illuminate's "outgoing broad coverage assessment" for math and English. The Illuminate tests meet all of the CDE criteria, which can be found at this link.

Importance of End-of-Year Testing

End-of-the year testing provides us with valuable information about the content, skills, and concepts that students have mastered and those which they have not. We analyze this information with teachers in an effort to ensure that we modify our instruction and curriculum to meet our students where they are. We therefore ask that you urge your student to participate in the Illuminate testing and to put in his/her best efforts.

Testing Logistics

Testing will occur in the morning for ALL students, regardless whether or not they have opted for “in person” learning in the mornings or “distance learning” in the afternoons on Tuesday, May 11 (math) and Wednesday, May 12 (English).

Students who are attending "in person" class will be in person for testing; students who are normally at home in the morning doing asynchronous distance learning will participate in the testing online in the morning on testing days. All students need to test at the same time in order to address security / cheating concerns. All testing uses a computer.

In order to prevent any loss of instructional minutes, all 11th graders will be directed to attend their classes during the afternoon synchronous distance learning time on testing days.

Students will be emailed their Illuminate “quick code” by their teacher / proctor

Students will be emailed a “quick code” that allows them to access the Illuminate test during the prescribed day and time. Each “quick code” is unique to the student and should not be shared.

Students will be monitored by a teacher / proctor during the testing time.

Online testing security precautions

To make sure that each student receives the most accurate score, we are providing the following guidelines for students testing at home:

● You may assist your child with setting up the technology used to enter the test session.

● To keep the test fair for all students, we ask that you do not talk about the questions on the test or any materials for the test with anyone before, during, or after the test.

● No one may record the test, or use a camera or another device to take pictures of the test questions or of your child taking the test. This helps to keep the questions confidential.

SBAC Optional Testing

Some students may wish to take the SBAC. The SBAC incorporates the Early Assessment Program (“EAP”), which determines the level of English and math readiness of public high school students. It is used only for California State Universities (CSUs) and California Community Colleges (CCCs). If you would like your student to take the SBAC, please reach out to Ms. Lise Ström, Assistant Principal, at LStrom@newarkunified.org or 510-818-4302. Please be aware that your student would need to take the Illuminate test in addition to the SBAC. There are also alternative methods that the CSU / CCC systems use to determine student readiness, listed here.

Opting out of End-of-Year Testing

Parents may opt their student out of end-of-year testing. If you would like for your student not to take the Illuminate test, please write to the principal, Ms. Olivia Rangel, letting her know that your child will not take part in end-of-year testing this school year. You may mail or email your request. The mailing address is: 39375 Cedar Blvd., Newark, CA 94560. The email address is NMHSoffice@newarkunified.org. Please write “End-of-Year Testing” in the subject line of your email.

If you have other questions or concerns about End-of-Year testing, please reach out to Ms. Lise Ström, Assistant Principal, at LStrom@newarkunified.org or 510-818-4302.