California Alternate Assessments (CAAs)

General Information

The summative California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for English language arts/literacy (ELA), mathematics, and science are administered to eligible students using the secure browser and test delivery system. The CAAs are for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and whose individualized education program (IEP) team has designated the use of an alternate assessment on statewide summative assessments.

Eligible students are those whose disability prevents them from taking the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA and mathematics and the California Science Test.

CAAs for ELA, Mathematics, and Science Test Examiner Tutorials

Additional Resources

Science

The CAA for Science is administered to all eligible students in grades five and eight and one time in high school in grade ten, eleven, or twelve. It is delivered one on one by a trained CAA test examiner familiar to the student.

The CAA for Science is administered as four separate embedded performance tasks (PTs) that are integrated into each student's instruction. Review the Organization of the California Assessment for Science flyer to understand more about the four embedded PTs. Embedded PTs are available for administration any time, in any order, between September and the end of the instruction or July 15, whichever comes first.

Science Form Assignment

CAA for Science Preparing for Administration (PFA)

CAA for Science Directions for Administration (DFAs)

CAA for Science Administration Planning Guides

CAA for Science Practice Tests Resources

ELA and Mathematics

The CAAs for ELA and Mathematics are available in grades three through eight and grade eleven and are delivered one on one by a trained CAA test examiner familiar to the student.

The CAAs for ELA and Mathematics are available for administration between January and the end of the instruction or July 15, whichever comes first.

ELA and Mathematics Form Assignment

CAAs for ELA and Mathematics Preparing for Administration (PFA)

CAA for ELA and Mathematics Directions for Administration (DFAs)

Second Scoring for the CAA for ELA

CAAs for ELA and Mathematics Practice Tests Resources

Last Reviewed: July 25, 2022