What’s New in 2026–27

New Reporting Categories for ELA, Mathematics and CAST

The reporting categories for the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments for ELA and mathematics and CAST Interim Assessments were revised to improve clarity and support better understanding of student test results. Only the categorical labels and descriptions are different; no cut scores or reporting level thresholds were changed, and results remain comparable to prior years. The new reporting labels for ELA, mathematics, and science are presented in tables 1 and 2.

Table 1. New Smarter Balanced ELA and Mathematics FIABs and IABs and CAST IA Reporting Category Labels
Old Reporting Label New Reporting Label

Above Standard

Above Proficient

Near Standard

At or Near Proficient

Below Standard

Below Proficient

Table 2. New Smarter Balanced ICA Reporting Category Labels
Level Old Reporting Label New Reporting Label

4

Standard Exceeded

Advanced

3

Standard Met

Proficient

2

Standard Nearly Met

Developing

1

Standard Not Met

Minimal

New ELA and Mathematics Interim Assessments

Fourteen new FIABs for ELA have been added for the 2026–27 test administration.

Two new performance tasks have been added: the grade seven mathematics performance task, Choosing a Superhero, replaces Camping Tasks; and the high school ELA performance task, Home Grown, replaces How We Learn.

Please reference the CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessment Lookup Tool for more information on all available CAASPP and ELPAC interim assessments.

CERS Updates

CERS and the CERS Sandbox training tool were updated to

  • include new reporting categories for the Smarter Balanced for ELA and mathematics interim assessments and CAST Interim Assessments, and
  • align to recent updates to the achievement level descriptors for the corresponding summative assessments.