Understanding the CAASPP
A Guide for VCUSD Families

They are the Smarter Balanced Assessments that measure your child's skills in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Instead of just asking students to memorize facts, the ELA portion tests reading, writing, listening, and research skills, while the Math portion tests problem-solving and data analysis.

The test actually adjusts to your child as they take it on the computer. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question gets a little bit harder. If they answer incorrectly, the next question gets a little easier. This helps pinpoint the exact level where your child is currently learning without causing them too much frustration.

No, these test scores do not impact your child's report card grades. They are used to track overall academic growth and help teachers and the district understand where students need more support.

You and your child can take official Practice and Training Tests online together. By logging in as a "Guest User," you can see the exact types of questions they will be asked and let them practice using the computer tools, such as the digital highlighter and drag-and-drop features.

You can visit the Starting Smarter website at ca.startingsmarter.org. It is a site specifically designed for parents and families to help you understand score reports, see subject expectations, and find resources to support learning at home.

Students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 take both the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments.

No. Because the test is taken on a computer, students will interact with the questions in different ways. For example, they might type short answers, drag and drop items into boxes, draw lines on a graph, or write a short essay.

The CAASPP system provides Accessibility Resources for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan. This ensures they have the designated supports they need, such as text-to-speech or extra time, to take the test fairly.

While some portions of the test (like multiple-choice or drag-and-drop questions) are scored automatically by the computer, written responses and essays are scored by educators using a secure Teacher Hand Scoring System (THSS).

Official score reports and test results are typically accessible to parents digitally through the Aeries Parent Portal.