Assessment Spotlight Issue 93 - May 29, 2020

Assessment Spotlight

Focusing on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System and English Language Proficiency Assessments of California (ELPAC)—and including, when timely, updates on California's other statewide assessments.

Newly Updated Smarter Content Explorer!

The Smarter Content Explorer has recently been updated! Offering new features based on educator feedback, this user-friendly web tool combines the information provided in the Smarter Balanced Content and Item Specifications—key resources used in test and item development—into an easy-to-use search interface. Users can access customized content generated by a quick search by subject, grade, and target or standard.

The recent updates include the following:

• Range achievement level descriptors, which are grade- and content-specific explanations of the knowledge, skills, and processes that students display at predetermined levels of achievement
  
• Task model-specific information, such as item type and depth of knowledge, that describes how test items should be written so a student can show mastery of skills and understanding
  
• Enhancements to the search functionality that allow users to select multiple grades
  
  
  

These updates provide further detail about test items to assist educators in deepening their understanding of how the English language arts/literacy and mathematics standards are assessed on the Smarter Balanced Interim and Summative Assessments. For more information, access the Smarter Content Explorer and the five-minute video demonstration, which provide an overview of the features found throughout the web tool. Check out these updates today and share with your colleagues!

Webinars for All LEA CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators in 2020–21

You asked, and we listened: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators have been asking for additional updates from the California Department of Education (CDE) throughout the year, and the CDE has now scheduled three check-in webinars in 2020–21 for LEA CAASPP and ELPAC coordinators. These webinars will address common questions, provide assessment updates, and include an interactive question-and-answer section and will take place in November, January, and March.

To register, visit the CAASPP 2020–21 Training Opportunities web page!

Please share this email with any educators in your local educational agency who would be interested in or benefit from this information. To join the email list, send a blank email message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Are you a new subscriber? Visit the CDE Assessment Spotlight web page to find previous issues.