Assessments & Accountability

Comprehensive Assessment System

A variety of quality assessments provide essential information in understanding student achievement and help to inform the decision-making process regarding instruction and curriculum. PJUSD educators use assessment data to: monitor continuous student progress and identify the areas of improvement, measure the effectiveness of teaching strategies, identify progress made towards meeting state standards, plan strategies for future goals, and to monitor annual strategic goals.

Key to PJUSD’s assessment system are the ideas that:

• Assessment is a critical component of the instructional process

• Collecting consistent, quality assessment data is important
• Prompt and clear communication of data improves decision-making 
• Decisions that are data-driven increase student college and career readiness  

2022-23 STATE ASSESSMENTS

Every year, California students take several statewide tests. When combined with other measures such as grades, class work, and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning. You can use the results to identify where your child is doing well and where they might need more support.

Your child may be taking one or more of the following California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC), and Physical Fitness Test assessments. 

CAASPP: Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Math

Who takes these tests? Students in grades 3–8 and grade 11.

What is the test format? The Smarter Balanced assessments are computer-based.

Which standards are tested? The California Common Core State Standards.

CAASPP: California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and Math

Who takes these tests? Students in grades 3–8 and grade 11 whose individualized education program (IEP) identifies the use of alternate assessments.

What is the test format? The CAAs for ELA and math are computer-based tests that are administered one-on-one by a test examiner who is familiar with the student.

Which standards are tested? The California Common Core State Standards through the Core Content Connectors.

CAASPP: California Science Test (CAST)

Who takes the test? Students take the CAST in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school, either in grade 10, 11, or 12.

What is the test format? The CAST is computer-based.

Which standards are tested? The California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS).

CAASPP: California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science

Who takes the test? Students whose IEP identifies the use of an alternate assessment take the CAA for Science in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school, either in grade 10, 11, or 12.

What is the test format? The CAA for Science is a series of four performance tasks that can be administered throughout the year as the content is taught.

Which standards are tested? Alternate achievement standards derived from the CA NGSS.

California School Dashboard

California is making shifts in public education in order to improve learning so all students can be successful in school, college, work and life. We are raising academic standards, empowering local school communities, renewing our commitment to equity and changing the way we evaluate and support schools. The California School Dashboard, the Local Control and Accountability Plan, and the California System of Support are key features of this effort. Together, all these changes make up The California Way. This website is designed to help communities across the state access important information about K-12 districts and schools - including ours.  The California School Dashboard features easy-to-read reports on multiple measures of school success, including test scores, graduation rates, English learner progress and suspension rates.

Multiple Measures

What: The Dashboard shows how well students within a district or school are performing on a variety of indicators, include test scores, graduation rates, suspension rates, English learner progress and college/career readiness. The indicators are color-coded - blue is the highest rating and red is the lowest. 

Why: In the past, test scores were often the only measure of student success. But students are more than test scores. Looking at more data - and more meaningful information -- helps more precisely identify a district or school's strengths and weaknesses and highlights performance gaps between groups of learners. 

Focus on Equity

What: The Dashboard's Equity Report shows - at a glance - how student groups are performing on various measures. Student groups include ethnic and racial groups, low-income students, English learners, foster youth and students with special needs. 

Why: The Dashboard makes inequities impossible to ignore and helps communities align resources to improving student group performance through the Local Control and Accountability Plan process. 
 

Supporting Local Decision-Making

What: The Dashboard supports California's groundbreaking Local Control Funding Formula, which gives district and schools more flexibility in using state resources and provides extra funding to districts and schools serving students needing extra help. 

Why: Local education communities know best how to address local needs. Top-down approaches of the past haven't worked because California is too big and diverse for one-size-fits-all approaches to district and school improvement. 
 

Continuous Improvement

What: The new California System of Support - which begins this school year 0 includes three levels of assistance to districts: Level 1 is support for all districts. The support includes workshops for teachers, classroom coaches and sharing of "best practices" proven to help accelerate student learning. Level 2  is support to districts and schools struggling to lift up the performance of one or more student groups. Together with partners, these districts will examine the factors begin low performance and develop strategies for improving classroom learning. Level 3 is state intervention for districts that fail ti improve student group performance in three out of four years. 

Why: Working collaboratively with districts to provide support and assistance will ensure that struggling districts get the services they need to better serve their students.  

​How Can You Get Involved in the LCAP Planning Process?
​​ - Participate in an LCAP meeting
- Observe and give input - Knowledge of the Dashboard data will help inform your input
- Join a parent leadership group, such as the Parent Advisory Committee and English Learner Committee

Other CA Dashboard Links:
Parent Information and Videos
Get to Know the Dashboard

Emergent Bilingual Reclassification

ELPAC

Who takes the test? Students who have a home language survey that lists a language other than English will take the Initial test, which identifies students as an English learner student or as initially fluent in English. Students who are classified as English learner students will take the Summative ELPAC every year until they are reclassified as proficient in English.

What is the test format? Both the Initial and Summative ELPAC are computer-based.

Which standards are tested? The 2012 California English Language Development Standards.

Alternate ELPAC

Who takes the test? Students whose IEP identifies the use of an alternate assessment and who have a home language survey that lists a language other than English will take the Alternate Initial ELPAC, which identifies students as an English learner student or as initially fluent in English. Students who are classified as English learner students will take the Alternate Summative ELPAC every year until they are reclassified as proficient in English.

What is the test format? Both the Alternate Initial and Alternate Summative ELPAC are computer-based.

Which standards are tested? Alternate achievement standards derived from the 2012 California English Language Development Standards.

Who takes the test? Students in grades 5, 7, and 9 will take the FITNESSGRAM®, which is the test used in California.

What is the test format? The test consists of five performance components: aerobic capacity, abdominal strength, trunk strength, upper body strength, and flexibility.

Which standards are tested? The Healthy Fitness Zones, which are established through the Fitnessgram®.

Education Code 60615

Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments. This exemption does not exist for the ELPAC or Physical Fitness Test.

Regulation 6152.1: Placement In Mathematics Courses

The Local Control Accountability Plan is attended to by a task force comprised of a variety of stakeholders who oversee the ongoing development and oversight of the Goals, Actions and Services contained in the LCAP.  Each California District must develop an LCAP that identifies actions and services that best support the five goals and federal categorical programs, along with ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and laws. In addition, this department monitors school plans, including training for School Site Councils and is responsible for administering the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS).

LCAP 23-24

LCAP 22-23

LCAP 21-22

LCP 20-21
LCFF Budget Overview for Parents 20-21 (English) (Spanish)

LCAP 19-20

LCAP 18-19

LCAP 17-18

LCAP 16-17

The following describe federal programs that provide funding for specific areas in education. 

• Title I – Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged
• Title II, Part A – Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals
• Title II, Part D – Enhancing Education Through Technology
• Title III – Program for Limited-English-Proficient Students  

2021 Educator Effectiveness Block Grant Plan

ELO Grant

ESSER III Expenditure Plan

Since November 1988, state law has required all public schools receiving state funding to prepare and distribute a School Accountability Report Card (SARC). The purpose of the report card is to provide parents and the community with important information about each public school. A SARC can be an effective way for a school to report on its progress in achieving goals. 

2022-2023 SARC Reports:

---

Apricot Valley Elementary      [English]     [Spanish]	Creekside Middle      [English]     [Spanish]
Grayson Elementary      [English]     [Spanish]	Del Puerto High      [English]     [Spanish]
Las Palmas Elementary      [English]     [Spanish]	Patterson High      [English]     [Spanish]
Northmead Elementary      [English]     [Spanish]	Open Valley Independent Study      [English]     [Spanish]
Walnut Grove K-8      [English]     [Spanish]