California sets its own standards but builds them on national frameworks. The state adopted the Common Core for English and math, then wrote its own version of the Next Generation Science Standards. History and social science follow a long-running state framework that runs from kindergarten through a senior-year civics and economics course. Most subjects are reviewed and refreshed on a rolling cycle, with newer frameworks for the arts, world languages, and computer science.
| Subject | Framework | Adopted | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2013 | View |
| English Language Arts | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2010 | View |
| Science | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2013 | View |
| Social Studies | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 1998 | View |
| Computer Science & Digital Fluency | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2018 | View |
| Arts: Dance | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2019 | View |
| Arts: Media Arts | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2019 | View |
| Arts: Music | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2019 | View |
| Arts: Theater | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2019 | View |
| Arts: Visual Arts | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2019 | View |
| World Languages | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2019 | View |
| Physical Education | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2005 | View |
| Health Education | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2008 | View |
| Career Development & Occupational Studies | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2013 | View |
| Social Emotional Learning | Content Standards for California Public Schools | 2021 | View |
The high-stakes spring tests the state runs.
Every California public school student takes this reading and writing test in the spring of grade 3. Students read short passages and answer multiple-choice, constructed-response, and a performance task tied to a longer prompt. It is part of the CAASPP suite.
The grade 3 math test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based questions plus a performance task covering the Common Core grade 3 math standards.
The grade 4 ELA test in the CAASPP suite. Students read short passages, answer multiple-choice and constructed-response items, and write a short essay in the performance task.
The grade 4 math test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based questions plus a performance task covering the Common Core grade 4 math standards.
The grade 5 ELA test in the CAASPP suite. Students read short passages, answer multiple-choice and constructed-response items, and write a short essay in the performance task.
The grade 5 math test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based questions plus a performance task covering the Common Core grade 5 math standards.
The grade 6 ELA test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based reading and writing items plus a performance task.
The grade 6 math test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based questions plus a performance task covering the Common Core grade 6 math standards.
The grade 7 ELA test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based reading and writing items plus a performance task.
The grade 7 math test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based questions plus a performance task covering the Common Core grade 7 math standards.
The grade 5 science test in the CAASPP suite, based on the California Next Generation Science Standards. Online test covering Physical, Life, Earth and Space, and Engineering science.
The grade 8 ELA test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based reading and writing items plus a performance task.
The grade 8 math test in the CAASPP suite. Adaptive computer-based questions plus a performance task covering the Common Core grade 8 math standards.
The grade 8 CAST in the CAASPP suite, based on the California NGSS. Online test covering Physical, Life, Earth and Space, and Engineering science.
The grade 11 ELA test in the CAASPP suite. The only Smarter Balanced administration in high school; results can satisfy the Early Assessment Program (EAP) for college readiness in the CSU and most CCC systems.
The grade 11 math test in the CAASPP suite. The only Smarter Balanced administration in high school; results can satisfy the Early Assessment Program (EAP) for college readiness in the CSU and most CCC systems.
Students take the CAST once in high school. Most schools administer it in grade 11 alongside the Smarter Balanced exams, but it may be given in grade 10 or 12 depending on a student's science course sequence.
Tests for English learners and world-language students.
An optional reading and listening test of Spanish proficiency in the CAASPP suite. Districts use it to award the Seal of Biliteracy or to validate dual-language program placements.
California's placement test for incoming English Learners. Given within 30 calendar days of enrollment when a Home Language Survey flags a language other than English, and decides whether the student is identified as an English Learner.
California's annual English Language Proficiency Assessment. Every student identified as an English Learner takes the four-domain test (listening, speaking, reading, writing) each spring until they reclassify as English-proficient.
An alternate English language proficiency assessment for English Learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Replaces the Initial and Summative ELPAC for the small group of students whose IEP teams qualify them.
Tests that do not fit the buckets above.
The state test for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Replaces Smarter Balanced ELA in grades 3-8 and 11 for the small group of students whose IEP teams qualify them.
The state test for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Replaces Smarter Balanced math in grades 3-8 and 11 for the small group of students whose IEP teams qualify them.
The state science test for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Replaces the CAST in grades 5, 8, and once during high school for the small group of students whose IEP teams qualify them.
California's fitness assessment for grades 5, 7, and 9. Administration was paused in spring 2022 while the program is redesigned to drop body-composition components; districts continue to receive guidance but do not currently submit student-level results.
