California Alternate Assessment (Cal Alt)

The California Alternate Assessment in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics will be administered to all students who have a significant cognitive disability in grades three through eight and grade eleven.

For the 2015–16 school year, the field test window will occur April 11, 2016 through June 9, 2016. 

The Cal Alt will utilize computer-based technology for test administration. Test items are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and are based on the Core Content Connectors (CCCs) that were developed with three tiers of complexity. The field test will consist of approximately 15 items in each content area and is anticipated to take 45 to 60 minutes per content area. (California Department of Education)

The Core Content Connectors were developed by the National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC). The NCSC has developed a Wiki that has curriculum and instruction resources, which can be found HERE.

General Information

·      Subjects: English Language Arts and Mathematics

·      Grade Levels: 3-8, and 11

·      This test replaces the CAPA for English language arts and mathematics

General Resources

·      CAASPP Cal Alt Web Page: http://www.caaspp.org/about/caa/index.html 

·      CDE Alternate Assessment Webpage: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/altassessment.asp

• CAASPP Cal Alt Info Page
• California Alternate Assessment Administration Manual (2015-16)
• Cal Alt Transcripts of Surveys of Student Characteristics

• Test Administrator Interface
• Directions for Administration (Can be found in TOMS under the Help menu)

• Cal Alt Training Test Directions for Administration
• Practice Test Administrator Interface
• Practice Student Interface

• CAA Test Examiner Tutorial (Video)
  • You must complete this tutorial and forward your Certificate of Completion to Ms. Nellman
• Cal Alt Logon Process (Video)

• CAPA Examiner's Manual
• CAPA Science Manipulatives List
• Stimulus Cards (Can be found in TOMS under the Help menu)
• CAPA Training
  • Training Videos