Available Resources for the California Science Test
The following resources are designed for classroom educators to support their understanding of the California Science Test (CAST). Additional resources for site administrators to use when communicating to parents/guardians and others about the CAST assessment also are provided.
Fact Sheet
Answers general questions about various aspects and objectives of the CAST
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/castfactsheet23.pdf
CAST Informational Video
A six-minute video that provides a general overview of the CAST and how it is aligned with the California Next Generation Science Standards
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/castinfovideo.asp
Parent Guide to Understanding
Designed for parents and guardians to address basic questions, such as who takes the CAST, why, when, and how; may be shared during back to school night, at teacher conferences, with annual Student Score Reports, or in other settings as needed
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/pgtu-cast.pdf
Practice and Training Tests
Opportunities to become familiar with the types of test questions that may appear on the CAST:
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Online Practice and Training Test Portal
Provides direct access to the CAST online training and practice tests for students in grades five and eight and high school; scoring guides and rubrics also available
http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html -
Practice and Training Test Flyer
Information to introduce students, parents/guardians, and teachers to the practice and training tests
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/castpracticetraining.pdf -
How to Start a Training Test
Step-by-step instructions for how to access and start a training test
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/qrgstarttrainingtest.pdf -
How to Start a Practice Test
Step-by-step instructions for how to access and start a practice test
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/qrgstartpracticetest.pdf
CAST Item Specifications
Connect the Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts elements to the phenomena and prompts used in the development of the CAST items; can serve as an important tool along with the 2016 Science Framework for California Public Schools for educators to use to gain a better understanding of the three-dimensional nature of the CAST
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/castitemspecs.asp
How to Start a Test Session
Step-by-step instructions for how to access and start a test session https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/qrgstarttestsession.pdf
For Site Administrators
Parent Notification Letters
Sample letter templates to serve as notice to parents/guardians of the yearly statewide assessment and when sharing information about student scores
- Notice of Administration
https://www.caaspp.org/administration/parent-notification.html
High School Test Administration
Provides guidance for determining when high school students must take the CAST
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/sciencetestadminhs.pdf
Organization of the CAST
Last Reviewed: September 16, 2022