Summative Assessments

The purpose of these guides is to provide information about the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, including sample test items for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. This information will help parents better understand their children’s test results. The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments are part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System, which replaces the previous Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program.

Every spring, students in grades three through eight and grade eleven take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA and mathematics. Results from these assessments are just one piece of information to help teachers, parents/guardians, and students understand how well a student is meeting the grade-level standards.