Topics: Assessment
CCSA Answers: English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) Eligibility
CCSA answers the question “Which charter school students are required to take the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)?”
The California Science Test (CAST) Field Test Now Open!
The CAST field test is now available to all local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter public schools, whose selected testing window is open. Learn more about the test and access resources to help you administer the test.
New Resources for Reporting 2017-18 California Science Assessment Results
Check out the new Preliminary Indicator Communication Toolkit for Science Assessments! This resource helps local educational agencies (LEAs) prepare for the release of the preliminary indicators for California science assessments, including the California Science Test (CAST) and the California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science.
CCEE Webinar: Build Your Capacity to Make Data-Informed Decisions
On Thursday, March 1, dive deeper into Dashboard data to help you understand how to make decisions that are research-based, equity focused, and informed by stakeholder engagement.
Instructions for Completing the CA Dashboard Local Indicators
Step-by-step instructions for completing the California Dashboard Local Indicators, due December 1, 2017.
Submission Deadline Extended for Part 2 of Dashboard Alternative School Status Application
On Thursday, October 5, 2017, the CDE emailed all dashboard and Dashboard Alternative School (DASS) coordinators information regarding the submission of part two of the DASS application. Part 1 was due on October 6, 2017. In August 2017, DASS was…
CCSA Answers: Changes to English Language Assessments during the 2017-18 School Year
Question: What changes are coming to English Language Assessments during the 2017-18 school year?
New Deadline to Update Demographic Data on CALPADS
The California Department of Education (CDE) has asked all accountability coordinators to finish updating their California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) data by end of business August 25. The data will be extracted for the Academic Indicator and Grade 11 Assessment Results that will be reported in the upcoming Fall 2017 School Dashboard. Learn more about this new update and data request.
CDE to Release Statewide Student Test Score Data August 24, 2016
On Wednesday, August 24, the California Department of Education (CDE) will publicly release the 2015-16 CAASPP results. Learn more about the state assessment system, available communications tools, and technical supports for how best to understand and communicate the data.
Share Your Feedback on CCSA's 2016-17 Draft Accountability Framework
We want to hear from you! Provide your feedback on CCSA’s 2016-17 draft Accountability Framework. View your 2015-16 Academic Accountability Report Cards if you haven’t done so already. And take advantage of free tools, like CCSA Snapshots.
Do you know how your school is performing academically?
View your 2015-16 Academic Accountability Report Cards and provide feedback on CCSA’s 2016-17 draft Accountability Framework. Take advantage of free tools, like CCSA Snapshots.
NWEA Offers Lunch & Learn on April 21
NWEA and Westlake Charter School invite you to learn how educators are using MAP to measure student growth, generate actionable data, and provide data-informed strategies to improve teaching and learning.
Update on CCSA's Draft Academic Accountability Framework
The following is a message from Malka Borrego, Chair, CCSA Member Council and Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Equitas Academy Charter School to California charter school leaders.
Charter Schools Performing Above State Average on New Common Core Aligned Tests
California’s charter public schools performed better than the state averages on Math and English Language Arts while serving a diverse population of students. These trends reaffirm independent research that shows charter schools are performing well and improving over time.
New SBAC Data Scheduled for Public Release Tomorrow Sept. 9
On Wednesday, September 9, the California Department of Education (CDE) will publicly release the 2014-15 SBAC results. Learn more about the state assessment system, including the available communications tools, upcoming events and technical supports for how best to understand and communicate the data.
CDE to Release New School Assessment Data in September
The California Department of Education (CDE) announced a tentative public release for the 2014-15 CAASPP results. Learn more about the state assessment system, including the available communications tools, upcoming events and technical supports for how best to understand the data.
Sign Up Today for New 2015-16 Leadership Development Opportunities
Attention school leaders in LA, San Diego and San Bernardino! Based on the successes and learning from last year’s pilots, CCSA and School Leaders Network (SLN) will offer more opportunities in the 2015-16 school year.
New 2015-16 Leadership Development Opportunities Available
Based on the successes and learning from last year’s pilots, CCSA and School Leaders Network (SLN) will offer more opportunities in the 2015-16 school year.
Time Is Running Out to Take Advantage of NWEA MAP Assessments Discounted Rates
CCSA has partnered with the NWEA™ allowing California charter schools to receive a substantial discount on MAP® assessments in Math, Reading, and Language Arts in order to provide critical information to help schools effectively transition to Common Core.
Need Help with Your Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)?
Developing a LCAP can be a daunting task. How do you measure school climate? What defines student and parent engagement? The TC Stakeholder Satisfaction Surveys for parents, staff and students can help.
Update: Adjustment to Field Test for Schedule One - Begins March 25
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium announced an adjustment to the Field Test schedule for Window One only.
Common Core State Standards Symposium for Special Educators on March 21
Sign up for an interactive symposium, “Diving Deeper into Aligning the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to the Common Core State Standards.”
CCSA Answers: Rules and Regulations for Administering the Physical Fitness Test
Question: What are the rules and regulations for charter schools, around the administration of the Physical Fitness Test?
Feb. 19 & 20: Don't miss NWEA Map Webinars!
Learn more about NWEA MAP Assessments and how they can help you know if your school and your students are on track. NWEA is hosting several webinars in February as well as a coffee talk at CCSA’s Conference.
Are you ready for Common Core? Don't miss these webinars!
Learn more about NWEA MAP Assessments and how they can help you know if your school and your students are on track. NWEA is hosting several webinars in January and February as well as a coffee talk at CCSA’s Conference.
Miss the Recent CDE Common Core Webinar? Watch it Today.
The webinar covers the changes in the assessment and accountability system, AB 484, Smarter Balanced, Common Core, and much more!
CDE now says that most students will take both English and Math SBAC
In a letter to superintendents and charter school leaders, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson gave more details on testing for this year. We particularly wanted to highlight an update on testing as it varies from what CDE had previously conveyed.
Nov 14 CDE Webinar: School Leaders, Prepare for Smarter Balanced Assessments
Thursday’s webinar by the CDE is designed just for leaders of Charter Schools. Pre-register now!
Last Chance to Sign Up For Free Value-Added Growth Reports for Your School
Your school can receive a free value-added modeling report usually only available to large districts. If you opt in by November 14, you will receive the report by Dec. 2. Sign up today!
CA Charter Schools Can Receive a Major Discount on MAP Assessments from NWEA - Sign Up Now!
CCSA has partnered with the Northwest Evaluation Association™ (NWEA™) to allow California charter schools to receive a substantial discount on Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®) assessments in Math, Reading, and Language Arts. Sign up ASAP to take full advantage of this opportunity!
School Report Cards Now Available
CCSA’s 2013 Academic Accountability Report Cards are now available, showing new (2012-13) academic performance results for all charter public schools in California within CCSA’s academic accountability performance framework.
Update on the State Assessments for 2013-14
On Oct. 2, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 484 (Bonilla), which establishes the California Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress (CalMAPP) assessment system, which replaces the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. Find out what tests will be given under this system for 2013-14.
Common Core Resources for Parents
What is Common Core and what does it mean for my child? That’s a common question you might be getting from parents - we’ve rounded up some useful, bilingual, family-friendly resources you can use.
Sign up by Oct. 21 to participate in CCSA's Self Assessment Portal
CCSA is launching a valuable, free tool to help schools self-assess strengths and weaknesses and connect with targeted resources in areas of need. The assessment takes just about an hour - sign up today!
Up for Renewal? Sign Up to Receive Free Value-Added Growth Reports for Your School
Your school can receive a free value-added modeling report usually only available to large districts. If you opt in by November 11, you will receive the report by Dec. 2. Sign up today!
External Opportunity: What Is Smarter Balanced? What Will Assessment Look Like? Free Webinar October 10
WestEd is hosting a free webinar on assessment and literacy at the secondary school level, with an emphasis on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
AB 484: Guidance for Schools
On October 2, 2013, the Governor signed AB 484, which temporarily suspends most standardized testing. Find out what this means for your school and see CCSA’s recommendations on assessments.
Important Information on Data Correction from the CDE
All Testing and Accountability Coordinators should recently have received information on data correction process for this year’s School Quality Snapshots from the California Department of Education.
Changes to CCSA's Minimum Criteria for Renewal
In June 2013, CCSA’s Board of Directors adopted several important changes to the Association’s Accountability Framework which were recommended by the CCSA Member Council. This includes changes to CCSA’s Minimum Criteria for Renewal. See more details and the timeline for this fall.
Free Member Resource: Sign Up to Receive Value-Added Growth Reports for Your School
Make your STAR data work harder! Your school can receive value-added modeling reports usually only available to large districts. Signing up is easy - opt in by the end of October so you don’t miss this great opportunity.
STAR Test Coordinator Forms Due Sept. 13
Charter school administrators must annually determine if the charter school will conduct state testing programs dependently (testing with the school’s authorizing agency) or independently (testing separately from its authorizing agency). If your school is testing independently, you must submit these forms.
The CDE Needs Input on Postsecondary-Readiness in the API
Now is your chance to tell the CDE what you think. Complete this survey and tell the CDE how you want college and career readiness incorporated into your API.
Learn More About Your School's Academic Growth Over Time (AGT)
CCSA is hosting a webinar to provide charter staff with this rare opportunity to get their questions answered directly by the people who developed and created the AGT reports for LAUSD and ZOOM! charters.
CCSA Answers: PI Schools and Title I
Question: What is a “PI” school? What do PI schools have to do with Title I?
Update on 2012-13 CCSA Results on CCSA's Minimum Accountability Criteria
Based on the latest release of CCSA’s 2012-13 Academic Accountability Report Cards, we are seeing reasons for optimism regarding trends in charter school performance. Read more about the trends in our upcoming Portrait of the Movement.
CCSA's 2012 Academic Accountability Report Cards are Live!
CCSA’s Academic Accountability Report Cards are updated with 2012 data and live. Click through to access the 2012 report cards and a sortable Excel spreadsheet listing all charter school results statewide.
Academic Accountability Report Card Corrections Needed by January 4th!
The period to correct information on the Academic Accountability Report Cards is fast closing. Please submit corrections by January 4.
CCSA Answers: Percentage used to set a charter school's API Growth target
Question: How does the State set a charter school’s new Academic Performance Index (API) Growth target for the new school year?
District Celebrates Double-Digit API Gains by 4 Independent Charters
SCUSD lauded four charters schools for their academic gains at their December 6 Board of Trustees meeting.
Free and Reduced Price Lunch Data
For SDUSD authorized charters that are having data issues with Free and Reduced Price Lunch figures reported to CDE, the district will be holding a meeting at O’Farrell Community School on November 2, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. - Noon.
CBEDS Consultations October 24, 26
Have questions about how to the complete the forms? Here’s your opportunity to get help!
CCSA Answers: How to Get "Highly Qualified" Under NCLB
Question: I have four experienced teachers with multiple subject teaching credentials teaching single-subject courses at the middle school level. How can I get them “highly qualified” under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB)?
Test it Out: STAR Computer-Based Testing
Here is your opportunity to preview what the future of STAR computer-based testing (CBT) in California schools might look like… but without scores being used for accountability purposes.
Assessment Performance Band Issue Has Been Fixed
Get the details on the fix rolled out recently by DataDirector.
Portrait of the Movement Report and Member Resources Available Online
Find individual school results; disaggregated reports comparing charter and traditional public school results by region, county and district; an interactive map that shows all charter and traditional public schools; and more.
Performance Bands: Defaults and Customizing Your Own
An important message about an issue with assessment of default performance bands.
Feb. 21: Webinar - Measuring Student Growth for School Accountability
RAPSA (Reaching At-Promise Students Association) is sponsoring a free webinar about a statistical growth model called value-added analysis.
CCSA Calls for the Non-Renewal of 10 Charter Schools Not Meeting Minimum Performance Criteria
CCSA emailed members last Thursday, December 15, with details of the Association’s call for the non-renewal of ten charter schools from across California that are below CCSA’s Minimum Criteria for Renewal. If you missed that email, or if you’d like additional information, take advantage of these online resources.
Frequently Asked Questions about CCSA's Public Call for Non-Renewal
Schools have had the opportunity to review their results on CCSA’s Minimum Criteria for Renewal via the Academic Accountability Report Cards since mid-October. After the data corrections period, CCSA will make public the results for all schools, identifying those that are below the Minimum Criteria for Renewal, and calling for the non-renewal of schools in renewal below that criteria.
Nov 16: 2012 STAR Pre-ID Webcast Presented by ETS
This webcast will provide additional background information about Pre-ID for the 2012 administration of the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program.
CCSA Answers: Components of Adequate Yearly Progress
Question: Under NCLB a school either makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) or it does not. What are the components of this measure?
ZOOM! Tip of the Month: Common Core Standards in DataDirector
As schools prepare to adopt the Common Core Standards in the coming years, many are already asking if they can align their exams housed in DataDirector to those standards.
Why should you look at your CCSA Academic Accountability Report Card?
Your Report Card tells you your school’s results on CCSA’s Minimum Criteria for Renewal - a threshold of minimum academic performance.
CCSA Academic Accountability Report Cards Available NOW!
These reports show results for schools on critical accountability metrics, including how schools fare on CCSA’s minimum criteria for renewal and State Board of Education revocation regulations.
More than a Dozen Charters Eligible for California Distinguished Schools Program
This year, more than a dozen California charters are eligible to apply for the California Distinguished School Program, which honors some of California’s most exemplary and inspiring public schools.
KIPP is Making a Difference for African American Students in Oakland
Last week, one of our local charters, KIPP Bridge, was featured in CCSA’s report “Chartering and Choice as an Achievement Gap Closing Reform: The Success of California Charter Schools in Promoting African American Achievement”, which details the performance and enrollment trends of African American students in California’s public schools, including charter schools.
Report on African American Performance in Charters; Sacramento School Highlighted
Last week, one of our local charters, PS7, was the venue for our statewide public release of the much anticipated “Chartering and Choice as an Achievement Gap Closing Reform: The Success of California Charter Schools in Promoting African American Achievement” report, which details the performance and enrollment trends of African American students in California’s public schools, including charter schools.
Oct. 12: CCSA Accountability Framework Webinar
Do you have questions about the research behind the Similar Students Measure (SSM) or the CCSA Accountability Framework? This is your opportunity to connect with the CCSA Accountability Team and ask those detailed questions.
CCSA Releases African American Student Performance in Charter Schools Report
CCSA releases Chartering and Choice as an Achievement Gap-Closing Reform report, which details the performance and enrollment trends of African American students in both charter public and traditional public schools. The report shows that charter schools serving African American students more effectively.
Window Now Open for Correcting Spring 2011 CSTs, CMA, and CAPA Administrations Data Errors
Correct your school’s data errors today to ensure accurate API and AYP calculations!
Federal Government Outlines Waiver Process for No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Today, President Obama outlined a new federal waiver process to allow states flexibility from some of NCLB’s sanctions if they meet several conditions.
Sept. 21: Measuring What Matters: High Quality Survey Resources For Schools
Attend a webinar to learn about three survey resources for our member schools to survey students, parents and staff - and get at measures that are often hard for schools to quantify.
External Opportunity: Free Schoolzilla Data Tool
Aspire Public Schools is launching a brand new, free tool for Data Heroes in schools across California.
CCSA Answers: Required Sections of SARC for a Charter School
Question: As a charter school, I understand that we have to create an annual School Accountability Report Card (SARC), but not necessarily comply with the specific content requirements contained in the Education Code. Which sections of the SARC are required and which are optional for charter schools?
CCSA Answers: Annual School Accountability Report Cards (SARC)
Question: When are the annual School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) due, and who is responsible for preparing and posting them: the district or charter school?