Preparations for spring’s California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) are already underway. CAASPP testing is a state mandated computer-based test for students in grades three, eight and 11. This test measures proficiency in English, Mathematics and Science. There are new changes going on within the testing setting including a change in when the science and math tests will be taken.
Mrs. Anderson, an English teacher at Aliso Niguel High School says, “One of the things that teachers are always doing is evaluating how things go one year so that they can make sure that the following year, things are in place.”
She goes on to say, “What happened in math is that they did not need an entire block period. So rather than putting students in a schedule that has an entire block for a test that is probably not gonna take that much time, they decided to let the schedule work where those students will take it in Wolverine Plus.”
With this new change in schedule math and science classes will be able to continue with their regular curriculum without getting interrupted by the CAASPP testing.
Ms. Burch, a history teacher at Aliso adds on saying, “I think it’s good, so we don’t fall behind in the curriculum, especially for AP classes.”
While many students feel that standardized testing is not an accurate way to measure learning, many teachers believe it is the only way.
Ms. Terhardt, a history teacher at Aliso says, “Whether or not people personally think it’s good or bad, it is the reality of the world we live in, and it’s never going to go away because because if you can’t assess people in any way that is standardized, how can you compare people from Aliso to Tessoro?”
Ms. Terhardt adds, “I do think there needs to be a metric for trying to compare students. To understand which ones need help, to get everyone to a level of success.”
Mrs. Anderson agrees saying, “It’s hard because as an English teacher I think writing is a good measure of learning, and we can get into students’minds. The one positive that CAASPP brings into the picture is that since it is a standardized test, everyone in the area takes the same thing.”
Juniors this year are less than thrilled with the upcoming tests. Many believe it is unpreparable and they are worried they will not know the information.
Sophia Lucey (11) says, “I’m probably going to look over some notes that I did for science, English and math. Just look over those and pray.”
Emma Esparza (11) says, “No, I’m not prepared because it is from everything we’ve learned and I lowkey forgot what I ate for dinner last night.”
With many students worrying about knowing the material and feeling unprepared, Mrs. Anderson reassures students that they are prepared to do very well.
Mrs. Anderson says, “I’m very lucky because I have AP students who are set up already taking AP classroom multiple choice tests, and having to do a lot of in class on demand writing. So our curriculum fits with CAASPP very well…I think some students feel pressure and they’re going to be coming in off of daylight saving time, which is a little goofy but I think that these students handle pressure very well, and I’m really confident that they’re gonna do well.”
She leaves students a little piece of advice, saying, “Just relax and do your best. I know that sounds like a cheesy answer, but you have to trust what you know. Don’t second guess yourself on the day of the test.”
