With CAASPP testing around the corner, juniors schoolwide can be found grumbling about the “pointless” state-wide requirement. Although, these tests may have more of an impact on students than they realize, and should be taken more seriously than is the norm.
It is entirely understandable that students may already feel fatigued from the academic pressure of junior year, especially in the face of other standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. However, it is essential for students to understand that these tests may very well impact them.
CAASPP, or California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, according to the official website, “measures students’ knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy (ELA), mathematics, science, and Spanish reading language arts, as well as students’ progress toward college and career readiness.”
These scores are hence used to improve teaching and ensure that students with high grades are actually meeting the academic standards. The CAASPP proves that students really are learning the material behind their grades, and developing the skills expected for college and careers.
CASSPP scores are also used in California’s school accountability system, which ranks and evaluates schools based on student performance, according to California online public schools official website.
This data also appears on the California school dashboard, which publicly reports on the academic performance of California schools.
Students’ efforts on the test will directly reflect their scores, boosting accountability for San Juan Hills and improving rankings, which could directly affect students when applying to college. If a school’s standardized test scores are high, colleges may view GPAs and diplomas from that school as more meaningful, as it suggests that grades are earned and actually reflect strong academic performance.
Despite the impact these scores can have on schools and students, many juniors say they still do not fully understand the purpose of CAASPP testing.
“I don’t think people take the test seriously because it doesn’t count for grades, and people don’t really care because it doesn’t go on to anything,” said Lexi Lau (11).
“I think it’s irrelevant, because I’m taking all these AP classes already, so I already have testing for that. So I feel like it’s pointless,” said Chelsea Shady (11).
Many students simply do not know how CAASPP scores are used or why they matter, reflecting the large issue that teachers and staff have clearly not educated or encouraged students about why how they perform is important to not only the school, but their futures.
However, in an effort to encourage students to take the test more seriously, San Juan Hills has introduced an incentive for storing performance on the exam, involving a grade bump in their math or English classes. This incentive is meant to encourage effort on tests that otherwise do not affect students’ grades.
“It gives me a sense of motivation, because it makes me want to try harder to bump my grades from past years, where I wouldn’t be as motivated in school. Now that I have a second chance to rebuild my grade, I can get my GPA back up to where I want it to be for college applications,” said Daniel Tollman (11).
While this encouragement definitely will go further than without, students are still missing the key information that would act as an incentive in itself. Many students only recognize the importance of the test when a direct grade incentive is attached. If educators made further effort to teach students about the test itself, it is clear that students would not need a grade bump incentive to put effort into testing.
“None of my teachers have said anything about it. They just said it’s next week, but they didn’t say, ‘we have to prepare for it’, or they didn’t really address what it is,” said Lexi Lau (11).
When students do not understand the purpose of a test, they are far less likely to take it seriously. Better communication from teachers and schools would have a serious impact on how students approach CAASPP testing.
