Testing/Accountability

The State of California has defined what students should know and be able to do at each grade level in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Science, and Science. Pittsburg Unified School District has adopted these State Content Standards. STAR 2011 Reporting Guide/Check Test Scores

PUSD 2011-2012 High Stakes Testing Dates:

*Adult Ed Center is not a drop-in CAHSEE test center. Students must be enrolled at Adult Ed to take the CAHSEE.
Local Exams:
2011-2012 PUSD Elementary local exams
2011-2012  PUSD Junior High/High School local exams

2011-2012 Dual Immersion testing schedule

Intel-Assess item bank

PUSD Writing Scoring Rubrics: 
Kindergarten Writing Rubric
Grade 1 Narrative   Grade 1 Descriptive Paragraph
Grade 2 Narrative   Grade 2 Friendly Letter
Grade 3 Narrative   Grade 3 Friendly/Formal Letter   Grade 3 Descriptive Paragraph
Grade 4 Narrative   Grade 4 Informational Report   Grade 4 Response to Literature   Grade 4 Summary
Grade 5 Narrative   Grade 5 Research Report   Grade 5 Response to Literature   Grade 5 Persuasive
 

Parents/Teachers:  State STAR Program

Glossary of  Terms:
API     Academic Performance Index
AYP     Adequate Yearly Progress
AP     Advanced Placement
AVID     Advanced Via Individual Determination
CMA    California Modified Assessment
CST     California Standards Test
CAPA     California Alternate Performance Assessment
CAHSEE     California High School Exit Examination
CELDT     California English Language Development Test
CDE     California Department of Education
CHSPE     California High School Proficiency Exam
NAEP     National Assessment of Educational Progress
PFT     Physical Fintess Test
PSAT     Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test
STAR     Standardized Testing and Reporting program
STS     Standards-based Tests in Spanish

Teachers:

CST Release Questions" How To"
CDE Resources for teachers
 
4th, 7th and 11th Grade State Writing Assessment:
There are three things you can do to insure the highest possible scores.

1) Concentrate on writing. Teachers and students should work from the sample prompts in the official CDE guide. If your school doesn't have this guide, click the link under ‘Additional Resources' at the end this page.

2) Over the next week, teachers should be teaching students that they SHOULD take the time to write an outline first. Students should be taught to go back and forth between the outline and essay while they are writing their essay.

3) Teachers should teach students what is needed to successfully complete this test:
** Fourth graders should stick to the rule of 3's ...... 3 paragraphs + 3 specifics each.
** Seventh graders should stick to the rule of 3's with the addition of an entry paragraph and a summary paragraph ......In total they should have an entry paragraph + 3 paragraphs with 3 specifics each + a summary paragraph.
** Student's experiencing difficulty with writing in each grade, should be instructed to just stick to the topic and write. They can get 2 of the possible 8 points just for writing to the topic. This it can help your school's API.

Prompts and rubrics are available on the following website. STAR resources from California Department of Education http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/resources.asp

CAHSEE Study Guides for students
CAHSEE Services Classoom posting