Testing

Testing Philosophy

Cottonwood is a school that values student and parent choice. We respect all homeschool families and their varying homeschool methodologies. In turn, we ask our families for their full support in protecting our charter by participating in all testing. There are several reasons why assessment data is critical to our schools. Teachers use the data to help counsel you on solid curriculum, plan instruction, and reflect on learning that has occurred. The school administration uses the data from all assessments to identify schoolwide needs, fund programs that are working, and continue to build out programs that support all students in learning. Additionally, the school must have this crucial assessment data to renew our charter and WASC accreditation.

It is absolutely essential that all students participate in school-wide assessment. 95% participation in all assessments is what is required by our authorizer and the state. If you have families that are reluctant to test, please refer to our Talking with Parents and encourage them to check out our Testing section in the Parent Hawks’ Nest.

Testing At A Glance

Renaissance STAR

Renaissance Star is our internal benchmarking. It is an approved online assessment for math and language arts that provides insights and support for each student’s grade level. The reports provided can be used for guiding instruction. Each part of the STAR assessment takes only approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Students will take it three times a year in the fall, winter, and spring.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

State-mandated physical assessment taken by grades 5, 7, and 9 once a year in February.

English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC)

• Initial ELPAC: State-mandated assessment taken once within 30 days of enrollment to newly designate EL students who are enrolling in a California school for the first time.
• Summative ELPAC: A summative state-mandated test that assesses English language growth. This is administered every spring for all current English language learners.

California Science Test (CAST)

State-mandated assessment taken by students in grades 5, 8, and 11. This is administered in the spring during CAASPP testing. High school students may take this test during their last year of science – either in 11th or 12th grade. However, we recommend 11th grade to administer all assessments at one time.

Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC)

These state-mandated tests are also referred to as the CAASPP Assessments (California Assessments of Student Performance & Progress). These assessments are given once a year in the spring. These tests will be taken by students in grades 3-8 and 11.