CAASPP Testing Returns to Redwood High School

By: Ryan Kaspar and Megan Yang

For the first time in two years, Math and ELA CAASPP [California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress] testing will be happening at Redwood High School. ELA testing will be on March 15th-18th followed by mathematics on April 26th-29th.

Though only Juniors take the test, all Redwood students will be following a block schedule.

Eric Rodriguez, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, says that the California Department of Education “decided to resume the CAASPP because students have returned to school in a traditional setting.”

He says that Juniors are the only students that need to take the tests because the federal No Child Left Behind law [NCLB] mandates it “as one way to measure how students [are] progressing.”

Rodriguez says “CAASPP tests are given statewide, they provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards in the same way, and the results provide information schools can use to improve teaching and learning.”

“All Redwood students taking the CAASPP [test] should try their best on the assessment because their scores are are a representation and reflection of our students, teachers, administrators, parents and Redwood [as a whole].”

Eric Rodriguez

Kimberly Quezada ‘23, says, “It personally stresses me out, especially since [the CAASPP test] is long.” 

Quezada has been talked to about the CAASPP by her teachers, but mainly it is the counselors “who informed [them] a little bit more on how it’s important for our school but won’t really affect us.”

Quezada says, “I think I’m ready but I remember these tests always being longer.”

Mikael Gonzales ’23, says, “I’m a little bit nervous and I don’t really remember what’s on the test or what to expect about it, but I’m going in with an open mind.”

Gonzales’s teachers have not talked about the CAASPP very often, but Gonzalez “only knows about it because [she is] a junior and knows [she has] to take tests.”

Gonzales “isn’t super prepared, although [she] could be doing stuff to [be].”

Ashley Jurica, American Literature teacher, says, “The students are prepared, they’ve been working hard all year using some of the writing [and] practicing the writing styles that they’ll see on the CAASPP”.

Jurica’s preparation is 100% integration throughout the year and the class doesn’t do any specific task prep.

In Jurica’s class, she also does short constructive responses and smaller writing analysis, “so that way [her class] can really focus on what the question is asking.”

Jurica says, “Looking at the author’s point of view, perspective, theme, and central idea are common things that [Juniors] will see when taking the CAASPP.”

Even though it has been 2 years since the CAASPP was taken, “It doesn’t feel weird. I think the students are ready, they’ve worked hard all year, so I think that if they try their best on the test… they’re gonna score a 3 or 4,” finishes off Jurica. 

Brenda Milligan, integrated math 3 teacher, says “as a teacher, I can understand, somewhat, the return to testing this year. As a parent, I don’t get it.”

She feels that “students would be better prepared if [the Department of Education] waited one more year to reinstate it.”

Milligan teaches two Junior math classes and three other classes, she says “it will be an interesting juggle curriculum-wise, during testing.”

She will begin “a spiral-type review soon” with her Junior math classes.

Milligan finishes off with saying, “Students, try not to stress. Put forth your best effort, but please do your best to stay calm.”

Tags: 2021-2022, caaspp, government and politics, juniors, Math, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, testing, visalia ca