San Dieguito Union High School District

Assessment Information

Testing & Surveys Schedule by Month

CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE TESTING

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) includes the SBAC, CAST, and CAAs

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress administration includes:

the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math;
the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs), in ELA, Math, and Science;
the California Science Test (CAST); and
the optional California Spanish Assessment (CSA). SDUHSD does not currently offer the CSA.

Test Participants:

SBAC and CAA for ELA & Math: Students in grades 7, 8, and 11
CAST and CAA for Science: Students in grades 8 and once in HS, typically in grade 11

Testing Window: March-May each year

Testing Contact:

Resources/ Websites:
CAASPP Results
CA Department of Education's (CDE) CAASPP webpage
CAASPP.org
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC)
CDE CAA
CDE CAST

CAASPP Family Resources

Letter to families about CAASPP scores in Aeries (to be updated August 2024)

Resources For Families

Parent guides are also available in Arabic, Korean, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Please navigate to the full Parent Guide to Understanding page to download a translated guide.

Physical Fitness Testing (PFT)

Participants: All students in grades 7 and 9

Testing Window: December SDA/CCA (Fall PE classes); February 1 - May 31 all other sites each year

Resources/ Websites:

All students in grades 5, 7, and 9 are required to participate in physical fitness testing using the FITNESSGRAM® assessments and their raw scores for each fitness area are recorded. Students do not receive an overall score but their raw scores are available for review in Aeries under the Test Scores tab.

Schools will be required to administer the FITNESSGRAM® without the Body Composition Test component.
Each student’s participation—not performance, in terms of the Healthy Fitness Zones—will be collected and reported.
Schools will be required to submit participation results as part of their annual School Accountability Report Card (SARC) instead of results by HFZs, as was previously required.

California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS)

The California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) is the largest statewide survey of resiliency, protective factors, and risk behaviors in the nation. Across California, the CHKS has led to a better understanding of the relationship between students' health behaviors and academic performance, and is frequently cited by state policymakers and the media as a critical component of school improvement efforts to help guide the development of more effective health, prevention, and youth development programs. The survey assesses the five most important areas for guiding school and student improvement:

student connectedness, learning engagement/motivation, and attendance;
school climate, culture, and conditions;
school safety, including violence perpetration and victimization/bullying;
physical and mental well-being and social-emotional learning; and student supports, including resilience-promoting developmental factors (caring relationships, high expectations, and meaningful participation).

Participants: All students in grades 7-12

Testing Window: December 2024

Testing Contact:

To review a copy of the survey, click on the link below. Surveys can also be reviewed on the CalSCHLS website.

Middle School Core Module
High School Core Module

Average time to complete the survey:
45 minutes to one hour

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

NAEP, also known as “The Nation’s Report Card,” is a program of the US Department of Education that provides information on state and national student achievement. It also provides information on how student achievement has changed over time. NAEP conducts state and large-district assessments. Test results are based on a representative sample of students, and individual student or school results are not provided.

Test Participants: NAEP conducts state and large-district assessments in grade 8 and national assessments in grades 8, and 12.

Testing Window: schools are selected for participation each year and are assigned a testing date by the NAEP organization.

SDUHSD contact: if your student's school is selected for NAEP participation, questions can be directed to your site administrators.

Resources/ Websites:
CDE NAEP
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
NAEP Results

College Testing (ACT, AP, IB, SAT)

PSAT/NMSQT Important Details & Dates

ON TEST DAY

all students taking the PSAT/NMSQT must have a valid school- or government-issued photo ID
two #2 pencils with erasers or they will not be admitted
4-function calculator is also recommended
Students may also bring water and a snack
Please see PSAT Test Day Checklist for what to bring and what not to bring

Test Date: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024
Fee: $37, Collected online through APTS
Registration Begins: July 22, 2024 (http://aptsusa.com/sduhsd)

Registration Deadline: Friday, September 6, 2024 (http://aptsusa.com/sduhsd)

Colleges with ACT/SAT Test Optional or Test Blind Admission Policies

4-Year Colleges & Universities that don't require the ACT or SAT for Admissions
SDUHSD College Testing FAQ
College Testing Policies Explained
More information can be found on the SDUHSD College & Career webpage.

PSAT/NMSQT

The College Board PSAT/NMSQT is an optional standardized test that provides practice for the SAT. It also gives students a chance to qualify for National Merit Scholarship Corporation's (NMSC) scholarship programs.

Participants: Grade 11 students

Test Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024

Registration for the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT® opens July 22 and runs until September 6, 2024. 11th grade students attending SDUHSD schools must register by September 6, 2024 to sit for this exam. The exam is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2024. The PSAT/NMSQT® is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test for grade 11 students and is administered only once per year. For exam pricing, details and registration, visit http://aptsusa.com/sduhsd.

PSAT Score Release - Students who took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2023 have received an email with information on how to access their scores. The school is not receiving paper copies of scores at this time so families will need to visit the College Board website to access student scores. If you haven't yet created an account, please do so here.

Resources and Websites:

SDUHSD PSAT/NMSQT FAQs

College Board’s PSAT/NMSQT page

SAT

The SAT is a standardized assessment administered by the College Board. It measures verbal and mathematical reasoning skills and is scored on a scale of 200-800.

Participants: Typically taken by grade 11 and 12 students who will be applying to four-year colleges that will accept or require test scores.

Test Dates: The test is administered several times a year - visit College Board Important Dates

Registration & Deadlines: Create or sign in to an account to register. The College Board contracts with local testing centers which will be shown based on student zip code.

Resources and Websites:

College Board SAT website

ACT

The ACT is a standardized assessment administered by the ACT organization. It measures student's knowledge in English, Math, Reading and Science and is scored on a scale up to 36.

Participants: Typically taken by grade 11 and 12 students who will be applying to four-year colleges that will accept or require test scores.

Test Dates & Registration: The test is administered several times a year - visit https://www.act.org/ for dates and ACT Test Locator.

Resources and Websites:

ACT Website

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

Advanced Placement exams are optional tests offered by College Board in May each year. Most AP courses have an end-of-year exam, but a few courses have different ways to assess what students have learned—for example, AP Art and Design students submit a portfolio of work for scoring.

SDUHSD AP Frequently Asked Questions

Testing Window: 2024 AP Exam Test Dates

Testing Contact: SDUHSD APTS AP Exams website

Registration & Deadlines: SDUHSD AP Exams

Resources/Websites:

College Board AP exam overview

College Board AP students website

International Baccalaureate (IB)- La Costa Canyon High School

For information about the La Costa Canyon High School International Baccalaureate® (IB) program and IB Assessments and Exams, please visit the La Costa Canyon High School IB website.

SDUHSD College Testing Contacts

District Office:

Lisha Brunache, Coordinator of College Readiness Assessments

High School Site Testing Coordinators:

CCA: Seren Helm

LCC: David Cassaw

SDA: Will Raschke

TP: Alexa Rogers

PSAT/NMSQT General FAQs

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT/NMSQT is an optional practice exam hosted by the College Board for 11th grade students. Please visit the College Board’s PSAT page for more detailed information about the PSAT/NMSQT including test content.
When is the PSAT offered?
College Board sets the dates for PSAT administration each year. SDUHSD will offer an opportunity for 11th grade students to participate in the PSAT Saturday, October 26, 2024. The PSAT is not mandatory or offered to any 9th or 10th graders at SDHUSD. Please see the College Board’s website for test dates.
Where is the PSAT offered?
Four SDUHSD high schools will offer the PSAT at their site (LCC, TPHS, CCA, & SDA) for current SDUHSD 11th grade students on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
How does a student sign up to take the PSAT in 11th-grade?
11th-grade students can sign up to take the PSAT through the SDUHSD PSAT website at https://aptsusa.com/sduhsd/. The deadline for registration is 11:59 pm on September 6, 2024.
How much does it cost to take the PSAT at SDUHSD?
The cost to participate in PSAT at SDUHSD is $37. The fee covers the expenses for testing materials as well as the test proctors and facilities.
Is there any financial assistance for the PSAT/NMSQT® exam?
Students should contact their site Testing Coordinator or Assistant Principal to apply for a fee reduction BEFORE submitting registration. Students who are eligible will receive a discount code to apply to the online payment form. Discount code use eligibility is verified at the school site.
Is it possible to cancel and receive a refund?
A full refund of the exam fees is possible through 11:59 pm on September 6, 2024. To cancel and request a refund, email cancel@aptsusa.com and include:

- Student name,
- name of their school (including city/state),
- exam title to cancel (i.e. PSAT/NMSQT®).

No refunds will be issued for any exams canceled after September 6, 2024 and no shows on exam day are not eligible for any refunds.
Who should take the PSAT/NMSQT?

11th grade students who are currently enrolled in one of the five SDUHSD high schools may choose to take the PSAT.

College Board also provides early practice exams called the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10. SDUHSD does not offer these optional practice exams.
I am a student who attends Sunset HS, where should I register for the exam?
Students attending Sunset High School are eligible to select the campus where they would like to sit for the exam. Please select that campus on the registration form as your school of attendance.
I do not attend an SDUHSD high school, can I register for the exam?
SDUHSD will offer the PSAT/NMSQT®only to 11th-grade students currently attending an SDUHSD school.
Why are only 11th-grade students able to participate?
SDUHSD offers the PSAT students in 11th grade as preparation for the SAT as well as an opportunity to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Only the scores from the PSAT taken in the 11th-grade year are considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition.

SDUHSD’s policy to offer an opportunity for 11th-grade students only was informed by feedback from students that they needed to limit the number of tests that are given and that such testing leads to increased stress and anxiety about academics, college, and their futures. Grade 9 and 10 students who would like to begin practice for the SAT may take available practice PSATs or SATs on their own time.
How can a student prepare for the PSAT?
Coursework taken at school in English and Math will prepare students for the PSAT. Students can also visit the College Board’s PSAT page to access materials and resources to help prepare for PSAT.

PSAT/NMSQT Scores FAQs

When will students receive their PSAT scores?
- Students get PSAT/NMSQT scores in November
- Educators can access scores in the K–12 reporting portal in November
How do students access their PSAT score report?
When PSAT/NMSQT scores are ready online, the student will get an email with instructions on creating a College Board account, going to the online score report, and using the access code to view scores. Please visit College Board’s website for detailed information on how to access PSAT scores.
How are scores interpreted?
College Board’s website includes detailed information about PSAT score structure as well as interpreting PSAT scores. Students may schedule an appointment with their School Counselor to review and discuss their PSAT scores.
Who else besides the student sees their PSAT scores?
Please visit College Board’s website for detailed information on where PSAT scores are sent and who is able to see them.
- PSAT/NMSQT scores are also sent to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
- PSAT/NMSQT scores are sent to high schools, school districts and states.
Are a student's PSAT scores sent to colleges?
SDUHSD does not post PSAT scores on student transcripts. These scores are not intended to be part of college admission decisions.
- Colleges do not receive PSAT scores. College Board does not send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges.
- Please visit College Board’s website for more detailed information on who sees a student’s PSAT scores.

Post-Secondary Planning (EAP, CPP, GED, Career Inventories)

About

Post-Secondary planning is an essential component of high school. School counselors support students in pursuing their individual goals and in many cases these plans include specific assessments and surveys. To learn more, please visit the SDUHSD College and Career web page.

Career Inventories: California Career Zone & California Colleges

School counselors support students with career exploration and preparation in middle and high school. Career inventories are assessments that allow students to answer questions to identify careers that match their personality and interests.

Participants: Students in grades 7-12

Testing Window: Ongoing

SDUHSD Contact: Please contact your student's counselor for more information.

Resources/ Websites:
California Career Zone Website
California Colleges Website
SDUHSD Counseling Scope + Sequence
SDUHSD Career and Technical Education Web page

Early Assessment Program (EAP) - CSU Campuses

The Early Assessment program (EAP) is designed to provide students with an early signal of college academic preparation through California Assessments of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP/EAP) results. CAASPP/EAP scores are ONE of the multiple measures the CSU utilizes as an indicator of a students’ readiness for college-level coursework in English and mathematics and for placement of first-time freshman in the appropriate General Education (GE) English and mathematics courses once they enroll at the CSU.

Participants: 11th grade students who take the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) assessments in English Language Arts and Math.

Testing Window: Spring of 11th grade

SDUHSD Contact: Please contact your School Counselor for more information.

Resources/ Websites:
CDE Early Assessment Program
CSU High School Dashboard
CSUN- EAP FAQ
CSU General Education Placement Estimator

California Proficiency Program / HiSET exam

The HiSET Proficiency provides students with the opportunity to take the HiSET language arts and mathematics subtests, which assess their proficiency in the standards taught up to the 12th grade level. Upon successfully passing each of the three subtests, eligible students will be awarded a California Certificate of Proficiency, which holds the same legal equivalent as a California-issued high school diploma (hiset.org)

Participants: Students who are at least 16 or older, OR enrolled in 10th grade for one year, OR will complete one year of enrollment in grade 10 at the end of the semester during which the regular administration (spring or fall) will be conducted.

Testing Window: Please refer to the HiSET Website for testing dates and updates

SDUHSD Contact: Please contact your school counselor for more information.

Resources/ Websites:
CDE - California Proficiency Program

General Educational Development (GED) Test

The GED has 4 sections that are taken as separate exams. Sections include; mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, social studies, and science. Students who successfully pass all 4 sections of the GED earn a high school equivalency diploma.

Participants: Students who are 18 years old, or within 60 days of their 18th birthday. For more specific information please review GED policies.

Testing Window: Ongoing, visit GED.com for scheduling information.

SDUHSD Contact: Please contact your school counselor for more information.

Resources/ Websites:
GED.Com
CDE High School Equivalency Website

SDUHSD Assessments and Surveys

Announcements & Communication

Message to all families about fall Star scores in Aeries.

STAR Reading and Math

Star Reading and Star Math are both short, low stakes, computer adaptive, academic assessments. Star assessments help teachers better understand what students know and can do in the areas of reading and math. As a student takes the test, the software selects items based on the student’s responses. If the student answers correctly, the next item will be more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the next item will be less difficult. By adjusting the difficulty of the items based on a student's responses, the assessment is an accurate way to help teachers identify what skills students are ready to learn. Teachers use this information to guide their instruction.

Participants: Many students in grades 7-12

Testing Window for Middle Schools, TPHS and LCCHS:

Baseline data: first administration window (Aug-Sept)
Progress Monitoring: midyear administration to assess student progress (Jan - Feb)
Growth data: end of year administration to measure growth over the year (May)

Testing Window for CCA/SDA:

Fall Semester: start and end of English and Math courses to measure baselined performance and progress
Spring Semester: start and end of English and Math courses to measure baselined performance and progress

Testing Contact:

Resources/ Websites:
SDUHSD Family Guide to Star Scores in Aeries

Renaissance Star Website
Parent/Family Resources
A parent/guardian’s guide to Star Assessments
Star Reading Score Definitions - Explains Star Reading test scores
Star Math Score Definitions - Explains Star Math test scores
Lexile and Quantile Hub - resources for families and students

Learn More About Lexile®Scores:
Lexile® Measures for Reading

Learn More About Quantile®Scores:
Quantile® Measures for Mathematics

Quantile® scores by grade level

IMBHRT- Integrated Math B Honors Readiness Test

The SDUHSD Integrated Math B Honors Readiness Test (IMBHRT) is an optional test for 6th-grade students. It is designed to measure a student's readiness to take 8th-grade level Integrated Math B Honors as a 7th grader. This assessment is challenging and designed for students already on an accelerated math pathway. Any student who wishes to enroll in Integrated Math B Honors in 7th grade must take the SDUHSD IMBHRT and score 70% or higher.

*Registration for the Integrated Math B Honors Readiness Test (IMBHRT) for 24-25 is now closed. An August assessment date will be released in July 2024 for new families who have moved into the district.

Resources / Websites:

SDUHSD Mathematics Website

2024 Integrated Math B Honors Readiness Test (IMBHRT) Information

MDTP- Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project

The Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) is an assessment of preparedness for 7th-grade mathematics. The results of the MDTP provide information on next course enrollment options for students entering 7th grade. This online assessment is administered annually to 6th-grade students at the 5 feeder elementary schools - Cardiff, Del Mar, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach.

Resources / Websites:

2024 MDTP-IMBHRT Community Information English/Spanish

SDUHSD-Middle-School-Math-Assessment-Communication-2024

2024 Integrated Math B Honors Readiness Test (IMBHRT) Information

Testing for English Language Learners

About

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is the required state test for English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve.

ELPAC- Summative

The Summative ELPAC measures how well students who are English learners are progressing with English language development in each of the four domains. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards and assesses four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

The purpose of the Summative ELPAC is to measure progress toward English proficiency and to help determine if a student is ready to be reclassified. This is important to ensure that students continue to receive the support they need to do well in school.

Participants: All students who are English Learners in grades 7-12

Testing Window: Feb 1 - May 31 each year

SDUHSD Contact: Miriam Kramer

Resources/ Websites:
ELPAC Results Website
ELPAC website
ELPAC information and resources (CDE)
Parent Guide to Understanding the ELPAC (ELPAC.org)
Summative ELPAC Factsheet
Alternate ELPAC Factsheet

ELPAC- Initial

The Initial ELPAC is the required state assessment for primary identification of students as English learners (ELs).

Participants: The Initial ELPAC is given to students in grades K–12 whose primary language is not English to determine their English language proficiency status.

Testing Window: July 1 - June 30 each year

SDUHSD Contact: Miriam Kramer

Resources/Websites:
CDE website - Initial ELPAC
ELPAC website
Initial ELPAC Factsheet

Alternate ELPAC

The California Department of Education developed the Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessments for California, or Alternate ELPAC. The purpose of the Alternate ELPAC is twofold: (1) the Initial Alternate ELPAC provides information to determine a student’s initial classification as an English learner (EL) or as initial fluent English proficient (IFEP) and (2) the Summative Alternate ELPAC provides information on student annual progress toward ELP and support decisions for students to be redesignated fluent English proficient (RFEP).

Participants: The Alternate ELPAC is given to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades K–12 whose primary language is not English.

Testing Window: July 1 - June 30 each year

SDUHSD Contact: Miriam Kramer

Resources/Websites:
CDE website - Alternate ELPAC
Alternate ELPAC website

Acronyms

AP Exams- Advanced Placement Exams

Optional exams for students who are enrolled in an Advanced Placement course at one of the District's high schools or who have self-studied and choose to participate in AP Exams.

Alt ELPAC- Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessment of California

Statewide alternate English Proficiency assessment for students who are English Learners and are significantly impacted by a disability

CAA- California Alternate Assessment

Statewide assessments for students who are significantly impacted by a disability
Students in grades 7, 8, and 11 take the CAA for ELA and Math
Students in grades 8, and 11 take the CAA for Science. Sometimes a grade 12 student will take the CAA for Science if they did not take the test in grade 11.

CAST- California Science Test

Statewide Science test for students in grades 8, and 11. Sometimes a grade 12 student will take the CAA for Science if they did not take the test in grade 11.