Standardized Testing

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. The California Department of Education (CDE) transitioned from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment in 2018. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), 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.

Information taken directly from the California Department of Education website ELPAC page.

Download the elpac information guide

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System was established on January 1, 2014. The CAASPP System replaced the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program, which became inoperative on July 1, 2013.

The CAASPP System encompasses the following assessments and student participation requirements. Information about the content and format of each test is also provided.

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven.

Student Participation: All students at the designated grade levels are required to participate with the following exceptions:

·        Students who participate in the alternate assessments.

·        ELA only—English learners who are in their first 12 months of attending a school in the United States.

Content and Format: The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, which are delivered by computer, consist of two sections: a computer adaptive test and a performance task (PT) based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for ELA and mathematics. The computer adaptive section includes a range of item types, such as selected response, constructed response, table, fill-in, graphing, and so forth. The PTs are extended activities that measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards—a key component of college and career readiness.

California Science Test (CAST) Field Test in grades five, eight, and once in high school.

Student Participation: The CAST is required for all students in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade ten, eleven, or twelve) unless their IEP indicates assessment with an alternate test. The CAST includes stand-alone or discrete items and PTs. The discrete item types consist of selected response, constructed response, table, fill-in, graphing, and so forth. The PTs measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards through extended activities.

Content and Format: The CAST is aligned with the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). The State Board of Education adopted the CA NGSS in September 2013. The 2017 administration of the CAST was a census pilot test, the 2018 CAST was a census field test, and the 2019 CAST will be the first operational administration of the test.

Information taken directly from the California Department of Education website CAASPP Description page

Preliminary SAT (PSAT)

The PSAT is a standardized test that provides practice for the SAT exam, gives (11th grade) students a chance to enter the National Merit scholarship program, and gain access to college and career planning tools. The PSAT measures critical reading, skills, math problems-solving skills, and writing skills.

The PSAT was offered at ECR during school hours on October 16, 2019 at El Camino Real. All 9th to 11th grader students had the opportunity to take the test. In addition, ECR covered all fees associated with the test for our students.

Visit the ECR College Office PSAT Information page to see information from the 2019 administration of the PSAT at El Camino.

For general PSAT information, please contact your child’s college counselor and/or visit the College Board PSAT Information page.