Assessment
OPA Statewide and Benchmark Assessments
Students at OPA participate in annual statewide assessments each year that provide information on their skills in English Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Physical Fitness. Students who are English Learners also participate in an annual assessment of English language proficiency.
Additionally, our students take iReady benchmark assessments multiple times throughout the year. We use the information gathered to monitor student progress, determine if intervention is needed, and to create summer learning opportunities. We also offer personalized learning software through iReady which provides lessons and learning opportunities based on individual skill levels and needs.
At OPA, we see these assessments as an academic checkup. Like class assignments and report cards, these assessments provide one piece of information about student progress and proficiency and should always be interpreted as one of multiple measures of a student's skills.
Read additional information for each assessment below.
iReady Assessment
iReady is an online program that helps teachers determine students' strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. iReady allows teachers to meet each child where they are and provides data to inform instruction.
How OPA utilizes the i-Ready Diagnostic system
1. Individualized assessment: iReady provides students with adaptive assessments that adjust the difficulty of questions based on their previous responses. This helps us to pinpoint a student's current skill level and identify areas where they may need additional support or enrichment.
2. Data-Driven Insights: The system generated detailed reports for teachers, and administrators, offering insight into each student's performance, strengths, and areas of growth. This data can inform instructional decisions and help tailor teaching to the individual student needs. Teachers use this data for their weekly small group instruction that is built into their schedule. Results from the iReady Diagnostic are also shared with parents during parent teacher conferences.
3. Progress Monitoring: Students will take the iReady Diagnostic three times throughout the school year. It is one of our main data points to help determine whether a student qualifies for intervention throughout the school year.
4. Differentiated Instruction: iReady provides resources and recommendations for differentiated instructions that are built into their program. Teachers can easily pull a lesson to use during small groups to target individual students.
CAASPP - California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
The CCASPP supports educators in assessing student performance in writing, critical thinking, and problem solving, which are some of the important skills needed to succeed in college and a 21st century career.
CAASPP includes 3 separate summative assessments:
Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC): An assessment of English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics completed in grades 3-8 and 11.
California Science Test (CAST): An assessment of science completed in grades 5, 8, and once in high school (typically grade 11).
California Alternative Assessments (CAAs): Designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities as indicated in their individualized education program (IEP). Eligible students participate in the CAAs for English language arts and mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11, and in the CAA for science in grades 5, 8, and once in high school.
Accessing Your Child's Scores
The state releases CAASPP results over the summer on a rolling basis as the tests are scored. This means that some students may receive their score reports earlier than others. When assessment scores begin to be available, we will send an email with instructions on how to access them through your Parent Portal.
In addition to CAASPP score reports, parents/guardians of students in grades 3-8 and 11 will have access to a separate Lexile and Quantile report. Lexile and Quantile scores are calculated based on your child's performance on the Smarter Balanced Assessmens and are not the results of any additional tests.
OPA will use scores from these assessments as one of many measures when looking at individual student learning strengths and needs, and as part of our efforts to continuously improve high quality instruction. Scores will NOT be used as the sole determining factor for any high stakes decisions, including promotion or retention, intervention, or qualification for special programs. As always, your child's teacher is your best resource for information regarding your child's academic progress.
Additional Resources
CAASPP Starting Smarter Website: Understand student scores and reports, view sample test questions, and access free resources to support your child's learning.
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
The California PFT is administered to all students in grades 3 and 7. Students are assessed in five fitness areas: aerobic capacity, abdominal strength and endurance, upper body strength and endurance, trunk extensor strength and flexibility, and flexibility. There are multiple test options for most of the fitness areas so all students, including those with special needs, have the chance to participate.
Accessing Your Child's Scores
Your child's scores are available in the Parent Portal.
The state has suspended the assignment of a "pass" or "no pass" overall scores, so only raw scores for reach fitness area are reported. For fitness areas where more than one test was given to your child, only the highest score is reported. It is important to note that body composition is no longer part of the PFT, and those scores will therefore be left blank. Please disregard the overall test status listed in Aeries that may appear as "Not tested/Undetermined". This is left over from the old "pass" or "no pass" field.
PFT results may help students plan personal fitness programs, help teachers dsign the curriculum for physical education programs, and help parents/guardians understand their children's fitness levels. Results should be used as one of multiple measures in evaluating a student's fitness level.
If you have any questions about your child's performance on this assessment, please contact your school site directly.
Additional Information
English Language Proficncy Assessment for California
The English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC) is the mandated state test for determining Enlgish language proficiency (ELP). It is administered as an initial assessment to newly enrolled students whose primary language is not English and annually as a summative assessment to students previously identified as English learners. Three domains of the assessment are computer-based (Listening, Reading, and Writing) while Speaking is assessed one-on-one by a trained examiner. For students in kindergarten through grade two, the Writing domain is administered as a paper-pencil test.
Types of ELPAC Assessments
Initial ELPAC
- Primary identification of students as English learners (ELs)
- Administered to students whose primary language is not English as indicated on the Home Language Survey (HLS)
- The administration window is July 1 to June 30.
- Initial ELPAC Fact Sheet
Summative ELPAC
- Annual assessment to measure an EL student's progress and to identify the student's English language proficiency level
- The administration window is February 1 to May 30
- Summative ELPAC Fact Sheet
Additional Resources
- Parent Guide to Understanding the ELPAC
- Translations of the ELPAC Parent Guide
- ELPAC Starting Smarter – Understand the ELPAC Score Reports, view test questions, access resources to support your child’s learning
- Practice and Training Tests
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