To Parents and Guardians:
Sonora Elementary School will begin standardized testing for the State of California (CAASPP) on Tuesday, April 15th. The campus testing window will end on May 9th, with particular grade levels testing on various days and times. An overview of the testing schedule accompanies this message.
The Smarter Balanced Assessment, completed online with our on-site technology, will quantify the students’ understanding of the California State Standards in English Language Arts and mathematics, for grades 3 through 8. In addition, our 5th and 8th grade students will be taking the science assessment, testing these students on the Next Generation Science Standards. The science test will also be administered online.
These assessments are not the only measure on how our school is performing, but it is a significant part and we hold the results to the utmost importance. It is a way to assess how Sonora Elementary is performing in comparison to all schools within our County and in the State of California. In addition, it allows us to identify students in need of intervention and close those gaps.
During the testing window, and specifically on the days your child is testing, it is very important, to ensure
success, that your child:
- Has significant rest the night before.
- Eat a solid breakfast the day of testing. Free breakfast available every day in our
cafeteria, starting at 7:30 a.m. - Be present during their designated testing days/times and do your best to avoid
medical appointments. - Snacks/drinks will be provided to students during mid-morning test sessions.
Please reinforce with your child the importance that they try their best on these assessments, as the results are an indication of how well they are learning at their grade level. Every student’s score will make a difference in our overall SES team score.
Again, please review the attached schedule to find the days and times your child is testing. If a child does miss their testing session, they will have the opportunity to make up their session.
Thank you for all that you do,
Chris Boyles
Principal
