Summative Assessment Administration Documentation Resources

The CAASPP Online Test Administration Manual is designed to complement a variety of other resources developed by Smarter Balanced and the CDE listed in table 1.

Table 1. Manuals, Instructions, and Information

Resource Description
CAASPP and ELPAC Accessibility Guide The CAASPP and ELPAC Accessibility Guide web manual includes information and instructions regarding configuring and using computer-based accessibility resources, including braille.
CAASPP and ELPAC Manuals Library The CAASPP and ELPAC Manuals Library web page contains a link to every manual available for CAASPP and the ELPAC.
CAASPP and ELPAC Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide

The CAASPP and ELPAC Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide web manual includes information about how LEA CAASPP coordinators can submit an incident report using the STAIRS/Appeals process and enter Appeals for CAASPP summative assessments in TOMS.

Refer also to the Test Security web page for additional information and links to STAIRS resources.

CAASPP and ELPAC Technical Specifications and Configuration Guide for Online Testing The CAASPP and ELPAC Technical Specifications and Configuration Guide for Online Testing web manual contains instructions related to making the network infrastructure ready for CAASPP testing, such as network and system requirements as well as secure browser configuration.
CAASPP and ELPAC TOMS User Guide The CAASPP and ELPAC TOMS User Guide web manual provides instructions for the processes necessary to assign and manage LEA and school users, test administrations, as well as student information, such as test assignments, test settings, condition codes, and more.
CAASPP checklists The CAASPP Manuals and Instructions web page includes links to the checklists for LEA CAASPP coordinators, site CAASPP coordinators, TAs, and TEs as they prepare for, administer, and complete CAASPP testing.
California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix The CDE California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix is an important source of information for determining the assignment of designated supports and accommodations to students.
CALPADS resources The CDE CALPADS web page contains links to CALPADS documents, updates, and other useful information for maintaining student demographics and program participation.
CAST Accessibility Supports The CAST Accessibility Supports for Operational Testing follows an approach consistent with the Smarter Balanced framework in the Smarter Balanced Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines that are used for other CAASPP assessments. The approach includes a variety of innovative universal tools that are embedded in the TDS as well as a variety of designated supports and accommodations.
CSA Accessibility Supports The CSA Accessibility Supports for Operational Testing follows an approach consistent with the Smarter Balanced framework in the Smarter Balanced Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines that are used for other CAASPP assessments. The approach includes a variety of innovative universal tools that are embedded in the TDS as well as a variety of designated supports and accommodations.
Student Accessibility Resources The CDE Student Accessibility Resources web page for the CAASPP describes the four categories of student accessibility resources. It includes links to web documents, pages, and sites that provide additional instructions and information for identifying and using student accessibility resources during CAASPP administration.
Test Administrator Script—CSA A testing script for the CSA provides TAs at all tested grade levels (grades three through eight) and the high school grade band instructions intended for the day of test administration. The script is available in the Scripts for Administering the California Spanish Assessment subsection of this manual as well as in a downloadable PDF.
Test Administrator Script—CAST A testing script for the CAST provides TAs at all tested grade levels (grades three through eight) and the high school grade band instructions intended for the day of test administration. The script is available in the Scripts for Administering the California Science Test subsection of this manual as well as in a downloadable PDF.
Test Administrator Scripts—Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments The testing scripts for the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments provide TAs administering the CAT and PT at all tested grade levels instructions intended for the day of test administration. The scripts are available in the Smarter Balanced CAT DFA and Smarter Balanced PT DFA subsections of this manual. A downloadable CAT DFA and PT DFA are also available.
Test Administrator PFA—CSA

The PFA for the CSA contains nonsecure information that can help TAs to prepare for CSA administration. All individuals administering the CSA for the first time—especially the speaking domain—or those wishing to review basic CSA test administration procedures should review the PFA.

The PFA is available on the CAASPP CSA web page.

Test Examiner DFAs—CAAs Directions for the administration of the CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science are posted securely in TOMS and can be accessed by selecting the [Resources] navigation tab on the TOMS top navigation bar.
Test Examiner PFAs—CAAs

The PFAs contain nonsecure information that had once been included at the front of the DFA. There is one PFA for the CAAs for ELA and mathematics and another for the CAA for Science. All individuals administering the CAAs for the first time or those wishing to review basic CAA test administration procedures should review the appropriate PFA.

The PFA for ELA and Mathematics and PFA for Science are available on the CAASPP California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) web page.

Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines The Smarter Balanced Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines provide information for school-level personnel—such as assessment staff and administrators, classroom teachers, English language development educators, special education teachers, and instructional assistants—as well as decision-making teams, particularly IEP and Section 504 plan teams, to use in selecting and providing universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations for those students who need them during the administration of the assessments. The CAST and the CSA follow similar guidelines.