Please make sure your child comes to school on time, well rested, and having eaten a good breakfast.
Make-up test days are available for students who are absent the day of a California State Test.
Based on California Standards Tests in English and Math, LAUSD repeatedly gave the Palms Gifted/High Ability Magnet its top designation: Model of Excellence.
Each year since 2011-2012, LAUSD has recognized the Palms Middle School Magnet as an Excelling Magnet or an Achieving Magnet (the top 2 categories) based on the School Performance Framework (SPF).
Common Core tests in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 were practice tests, used to assess the testing program and overall performance, but not used to rank schools.
Students and schools did not receive test scores for the 2014-2015 tests.
Tests in Spring 2016 counted for the first time.
California State Testing
The Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests used in previous years to determine student performance and school API scores were replaced with California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests. Primary among the CAASPP tests is the the California Smarter Balanced Field Test.
Three types of assessments are made during the Smarter Balanced testing week:
- Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
- Performance Task (PT)
- California Science Test (CAST)
Spring 2023 testing:
May 3 to May 18, 2023
Spring 2022 testing:
⬇ Download Spring 2022 testing schedule
| Date | 6th Grade |
7th Grade |
8th Grade | Minimum Day |
| Mon May 16 | ELA CAT Assessment (99.32%) |
ELA CAT Assessment (98.90%) |
ELA CAT Assessment |
√ |
| Tue May 17 | Math CAT Assessment (98.63%) |
Math CAT Assessment |
Math CAT Assessment (97.86%) |
|
| Wed May 18 | ELA PT Assessment (96.80%) |
ELA PT Assessment (98.5%) |
ELA PT Assessment (97.39%) |
√ |
| Thu May 19 | Math PT Assessment (97.72%) |
Math PT Assessment (97.53%) |
Math PT Assessment (97.38%) |
√ |
| Fri May 20 | CAST (97.38%) |
|||
| Mon May 23 | Make-Up Test | Make-Up Test |
Make-Up Test |
"ELA" is English Language Arts.
| Subject | CAT Assessment | PT Assessment | CAST |
| ELA | 2 hours 1 minute | 2 hours 15 minutes | |
| Math | 2 hours | 2 hours 1 minute | |
| Science | 2 hours |
See also:
Students can take practice tests on the Internet to prepare for the new California state tests. Here's how:
1. Go to the test site: sbacpt.tds.airast.org/student
2. Click or tap the Sign In button.
3. Select a grade.
4. Select a test.
5. Follow the further instructions.
Sample 8th grade science question:
In previous years the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests were used to determine Academic Performance Index (API) scores. The CST Science Test for 8th graders is still given.
| Acronym | Test | Given to | Months |
| CAPA | California Alternate Performance Assessment | students with disabilities | May |
| CMA | California Modified Assessment | students with disabilities | May |
| CST | California Standards Tests | all students | September for 8th graders May for all grades |
| STS | Standards-based Test in Spanish | for certain Spanish-speaking students | May |
Practice California STAR tests from previous years:
