Assessment, Research and Evaluation
Phone: 925-552-2967 - Email our office
Gregory Duran - Assistant Director
Cathy McSweeney - Secretary
925-552-5032
Ramaa Ravi - Technical Analyst
925-552-5031
This department is responsible for assessing student achievement, progress, and outcomes; conducting research on issues of interest to school and district staff; and evaluating program effectiveness. We promote using data to inform decision-making that support our district's Framework for Excellence: Supporting Students and their Learning. Supporting Staff and their Work. Our mission is to strive for continuous improvement and excellence for all students and programs.
Requests for assessments of preschool age children are handled by the Special Education Department. Please call 925-552-5004 if you would like to speak with someone regarding this type of evaluation or assessment.
Testing Calendar:
For more information and logistics about student assessment programs, click on the link listed to take you to the relevant page or posting:
State Assessments
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)
CAASPP is California’s statewide student assessment system. Results of these assessments inform parents and educators on their students' continual progress for each grade level and college and career readiness. Pursuant to California Education Code 60615, parents/guardians may submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all parts of CAASPP. Students who opt out of the grade 11 CAASPP do not qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) (EC 51461(a)2). The Early Assessment Program (EAP) uses the grade 11 Smarter Balanced summative assessments in English Language Arts and math to identify students who are ready for college-level credit-bearing English and math courses. Grade 11 students may choose to release their test results to the California State University (CSU) and participating California Community Colleges (CCC) at the end of the online tests.
CAASPP Resources for Parents and Students:
Practice and Training Tests
Parent Guides to the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments
CAASPP Student Score Report Information
CAASPP Resources for Parents
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of English language proficiency (ELP) to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The California Department of Education has transitioned from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment in 2017-18. There are two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English Learners, and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student's level of ELP. Parents and students may review the ELPAC Practice Tests.
PFT assesses the physical fitness of students in grades 5, 7 and 9 in the following areas: aerobic capacity, body composition, upper body strength, abdominal strength, trunk strength, and flexibility. Students are scored as “within the Healthy Fitness Zone,” or “Needs Improvement - Some Risk,” or "Needs Improvement - Health Risk." To pass the PFT, students must have 5 of 6 fitness standards “within” the Healthy Fitness Zone. For 9th graders, who do not meet 5 of the 6 fitness areas, they must enroll in a Physical Education (PE) class in 10th grade. They will not be eligible for Independent Study PE.
District Assessments
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is used to initially identify students who are eligible for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program. This test consists of three batteries, which measure verbal, quantitative and nonverbal abilities.
Illuminate Education is a system for reporting and analyzing data; for creating, scoring and reporting of formative, interim, and summative assessments; and monitoring of student progress.
National and International Assessments
The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences selects schools at random to participate and gather student performance data for national and international comparisons.
Our students may be selected to participate in any of the following tests:
- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assesses mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, U.S. history, and Technology and Engineering Literacy (TEL) in grades 4, 8, and/or 12.
- For International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international assessment that measures 15-year-old students' reading, mathematics, and science literacy every three years.
- International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assesses reading literacy at grade 4.
- International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assesses mathematics and science knowledge and skills at grades 4 and 8.
For more information, contact Assessment, Research and Evaluation at (925) 552-2967.
Other Assessments
Instruction BP 6146.1(a)
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Course Requirements
To obtain a diploma of graduation from high school, students shall complete at least the following courses/credits in grades 9 through 12.
