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).
California State Testing
The State of California uses many tests to assess the progress of students. Common Core state tests have been used since the 2013-2014 school year. 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.
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.
The 2020 testing schedule will be announced later, but the testing dates will be May 11-18, 2020.
Date |
6th Grade 7th Grade |
8th Grade | Minimum Day |
TBA | Math Test | Math Test | √ |
TBA | ELA Test | ELA Test | √ |
TBA | Math Performance Task | Math Performance Task | √ |
TBA | ELA Performance Task | ELA Performance Task | √ |
TBA | Make-Up Test | Make-Up Test | √ |
TBA | Make-Up Test |
Make-Up Test CST Science Test |
√ |
Note: "ELA" means English Language Arts.
Subject | Test | Performance Task |
ELA | 2 hours 15 minutes | 2 hours |
Math | 2 hours 15 minutes | 1 hour 15 minutes |
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 link that says Click here if you are a California student. This CAASPP box should appear at the top of the page. If not, click or tap the Click here if you are a California student link again until you see the CAASPP box.
3. Click or tap the Sign In button near the bottom of the page.
4. Select your grade (6, 7 or 8).
5. Click or tap the Yes button.
6. Pick one of the practice tests next to the arrows.
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: