Sky Mountain Charter School

Brief Assessment Overview

CAHSEE- California High School Exit Exam

n The California State Board of Education (SBE) requires that high school students graduating in the 2006 school year and beyond must pass the CAHSEE in order to receive a high school diploma.

n Our school requires 100% of 10^th grade students to test so that we can meet AYP requirements.

n The tests are un-timed. The average time is two hours per session and there are two sessions per day with a break in between. 

n Students must show a photo identification of some kind to be able to take the test.  They also must bring a snack/lunch and drinks to sustain them.

n The test dates are pre-set and are on the School Calendar online.

n The exam is given over two days.  The first day is exclusively for English Language Arts and the second day is exclusively for Math.

n There are three separate administrations given every year:

o CAHSEE October is for ONLY 11^th and 12^th grade students that have not passed. 

o CAHSEE November is for Only 12^th grade students that have not passed.

o CAHSEE February is for ALL 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade students that have not passed. 

o CAHSEE May is for 10^th grade students that did not attempt to test in February.

n Grade 10 students may only attempt one time per year and it must be in the spring. Grade 11 students may attempt two times per year.  Grade 12 may attempt a minimum of three times per year and a maximum of five times a year.

n Any 10^th grade students that don’t test in February will have to be tested by their own ES in May.

n According to California Education Code Section 37254 requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to rank schools on the basis of percentage of eligible pupils and to apportion, until funds are exhausted, an amount not to exceed $500 per eligible Grade 12 pupil will be available. 

o The school will annually apply for the CAHSEE grant that allows us the funds to tutor our students.  We are requiring all our seniors that have not yet passed the math portion of the CAHSEE to sign up for ALEKS, a math tutorial program.  If they do not pass the ELA portion, they will need to be signed up for the school writing program.

CELDT- California English Language Development Test

n CELDT is a state mandated test that school districts are required to administer to students whose home language is not English. The purpose of CEDLT is to identify students who are English Learners in Kindergarten through grade 12, to monitor their progress in learning English, and to document their English proficiency.

n All students whose home language is not English must take the test within 30 calendar days after they are enrolled in a California public school. The CELDT must be given once each year to English Learners until they score proficient in English.

n The parent/guardian or adult student identifies their home language in the Language Survey section of the Student Enrollment Application.  Any of the four questions on the language survey that receive any answer other than “English” automatically require CELDT testing.

n The CELDT covers listening /speaking, skills for students in Kindergarten and grade 1. The test for students in grades 2 through 12 covers listening/speaking, reading, and writing skills.

n An ES must contact the parent/student and make arrangements to administer the test for any of their students that have been identified as an English Learner.

n The CELDT test takes approximately 2 hours for your student to complete.

n There are five levels of proficiency a student can achieve:  Beginning, Early Intermediate, Intermediate, Early Advanced, and Advanced.  Any student that receives a level of Early Advanced or Advanced In each of the areas being tested will be considered proficient.

STAR- Standardized Testing and Reporting

n The STAR is an annual standardized test that is California state mandated and in compliance with NCLB.  A 95% student participation is required for grades 2-11.

n Upon enrollment, parents/students sign an SMCS Charter Summary which states they are required to participate in state mandated assessments.

n Grade 7 has a separate, additional exam date for a writing portion of STAR testing.  Please check your school calendar for specific dates and locations.

n Check your school calendar for the test window

n Students must test at the grade level indicated on their student agreement.

n Individual test scores are confidential and are sent directly to the parent/student by SMCS, usually in August, after they are received.

n Scores collected by the state are aggregates, merged into group grade level reports by subject.  Individual scores are confidential and are not collected by the state.       

n STAR study resources can be found online at the following link: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/resources.asp.

n Student will need to bring a snacks, water, and a quiet activity to keep them occupied if they finish earlier than other students.

PFT- Physical Fitness Test

n The PFT is a state-mandated test to be administered only to 5th, 7th, & 9th grade students, annually, in California public schools, including charter schools.

n 95% student participation is required for SMCS.

n Students who are physically unable to take all elements of the test are expected to take as many as their condition permits.

n This test is given in some areas will be in conjunction with STAR testing.  Check our website for specific PFT test site for a schedule of dates and times.

n The following exercises will be assessed:

o 1) one mile run/walk (if student cannot run total distance, walking is permitted).

o 2) height and weight documented (data is put into a formula to determine body fat percentage).

o 3) curl-up

o 4) trunk lift

o 5) push-up

o 6) shoulder stretch

n The estimated time for finishing this test is an hour and a half.

Scantron

n Assessment tools from Scantron provide the standards-based data (aggregated in a variety of ways) that our school needs to meet the requirements of state and federal agencies.

n Scantron is a powerful web-based assessment platform with a content-neutral structure and multiple delivery capabilities.

n You can use Scantron to manage current tests and develop new ones, administer tests (online or on paper), and report results immediately.

n Pre testing and Post testing of 2nd-11^th grade students is a requirement of our charter. The pre-test window is always scheduled for a six week window in the fall.  The post testing is usually scheduled for a six week window in the spring.

n ES’s must make arrangements to have new students pre-tested within 20 school days of their enrollment (their first day of school).

n Scantron can be given as often as the parent, student, or ES feels the need in addition to the pre and post test.  Scantron must be administered ONLY by the ES or approved vendor.

WRAT4- Wide Range Achievement Test

n The WRAT4 is a brief achievement test measuring letter and word recognition, sentence composition, spelling, oral math and math computation.

n Total test time is 30 to 45 minutes, depending upon age.  Scoring by hand takes less than 10 minutes.

n The WRAT4 is a valuable instrument to assist in diagnosing levels of academic achievement, learning disabilities, and checking progress in academic remedial programs.

n This is a tool that is readily available for use with all ages of students in assisting the parents and ES with curriculum choice.

n This is to be used with K-1, 2^nd if the ES believes the Scantron is not appropriate.

n Any 3^rd-12^th grade student that has been given permission from the Assessment Director to be exempt from Scantron must take the WRAT4.