Ever since the Public Schools Accountability Act was passed in 1999, we have been talking about the Standard Testing and Reporting system (STAR) administered to grades 2 through 11, the High School Exit Exam for 12th graders, and the Academic Performance Index (API) which compares schools throughout the state. The exams are composed of two standardized tests: the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition (SAT 9) which is calibrated (for race, ethnicity, gender, class) to a national norm; and a California Standards Test that is based on state norms.

A student can be exempted from STAR standardized testing by parent request (this is a serious decision, since it may affect ultimate eligibility for postsecondary training). As mentioned in our last newsletter, in order to provide goals for students with severe learning challenges, the California Alternative Proficiency Assessment (CAPA) has been developed by Educational Testing Service under contract to the California Department of Education.

It is hoped CAPA can identify not only academic achievements but also functional skills. For example, a student needs to be able to attend to the speaker, to hold one instruction in memory, and perhaps repeat that process for a two-step instruction, in order to be able to respond. A functional skill is an application of real-world knowledge, like sorting objects into categories.

CAPA was field-tested statewide in October, and the results are now being compiled. Administrative staff training will begin in January. Test administration is expected to happen mid-May of next year. At that time, the CAPA will include only Math and English Language Arts.

CAPA grade-levels are delineated by Roman numerals I through V, with II for Grades 2-3, III for Grades 4-5, IV for Grades 6-8, and V for Grades 9-11. Nearly all students are required to participate at the level corresponding to their grade placement. CAPA grade-equivalents identify students who are in grades 2 through 11 or who are age 7 through 16 on December 2nd (see http://www.cde.ca.gov/spbranch/sed/capa/detrmlvl.htm). To better understand the importance of that particular date in the student's age, see "Grade Equivalent Level: 2002-03 School Year" on the website. A decision to test at Level I is reserved for the most significantly disabled students, those who function at the developmental stage of 24 months or less. The student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) team must arrive at the decision.

We'll keep you up-to-date, as more information becomes available. StudyBuddy often works with disabled students (and often sees them make remarkable gains as they learn they can do more than they thought). We hope CAPA proves to be a helpful tool.