CAASPP Testing

CAASPP TESTING An important part of your student’s academic program is measuring progress through the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) assessments.Smarter Balanced English Language Arts and Mathematics Assessments Students across California will take assessments each spring to gauge each student’s performance in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. This year your child will take the following test(s), depending on his or her grade level:.Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in English language arts/literacy and mathematics in grades three to eight and eleven  These tests measure the skills called for by the California academic standards, which focus on a student’s ability to write clearly, think critically, and solve problems. Because CAASPP tests are given statewide, they provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards. Given online, the tests are computer-adaptive, allowing more precise measurement of individual skills. Parents can use their student’s ELA or mathematics results as one of many indicators of their child’s performance.  Our teachers and principals also use these results to compare their schools’ performance toward achieving our state standards.California Science Test (CAST) Field Test – grades 5, 8, and 12  California’s new state standards for science call for students to think and work like scientists and engineers—asking questions and learning through hands-on investigation and discovery. Working with science teachers, California is developing a new assessment that emphasizes scientific thinking and reasoning. This year students in grade 5, 8 and 12 will participate in the tryout of test items for this future assessment. While this tryout will not provide scores for your child, it is an important first step in developing an assessment that will fairly and accurately measure how students are achieving on the new science standards.California Alternative Assessments The goal of the California Alternative Assessments (CAAs) is to ensure that students with the most significant needs in special education can attain increasingly higher achievement levels and leave high school ready for academic or career options. Students in grades three through eight and grade eleven are eligible to take the CAAs in ELA and mathematics as determined in their annual Individual Education Plan meeting.  This year in grades 5, 8 and 12 students will take the science alternative pilot assessment.  As mentioned above this will also be a tryout of test items to assist in building future assessments.Participation Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents have the right to opt out of any state assessment.  It is recommended parents meet with their child’s school principal if they are considering this option.  Our teachers and principals have found many benefits in having our students participate in this assessment, and we want to assure parents that student results from any assessment will not be shared beyond the use of school staff directly involved in your child’s education.  Section 852 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations further provides that parents or guardians may annually submit a written request to the school to excuse their child from any or all parts of the CAASPP for the school year.   Therefore, if you wish to exempt your student from testing, notification in writing to your school’s principal is required.  How can I help my child get ready for the CAASPP? You are an important part of your child’s education. Some things you can do to help your child are: Talk about the test with your child. Make sure they are not scared or anxious. Tell your child that you and his or her teacher have high expectations and that you are both there to help, every step of the way. Take a practice test with your child which can be found at www.caaspp.org Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.    

  2018-2019 Enrollment Appointments

We are looking forward to meeting our new Sundance Families!  Please open this page for scheduling information

  TK / Kindergarten Enrollment

Welcome to Kindergarten / Transitional Kindergarten! If your child's 5th birthday is between September 2 and December 2, 2018 you will enroll him/her in Transitional Kindergarten.  If the 5th birthday is between December 3, 2017 and September 1, 2018 he/she will be eligible for Kindergarten.  If your child turns 5 between June 1 and September 1 you may request TK by accessing the PUSD TK interest list on the PUSD website.   Please contact Joni Gilbert if you have any questions at  jgilbert@powayusd.com    

  Parent Education Opportunities

PUSD Parent Education 2017-2018 course offerings!  We’ve added a Power Struggles Over Screens? component to our Active Parenting of Teens series. 

  Library OverDrive is here - eBooks for all grades at a fingertip!

Poway Unified School District is pleased to introduce a new, free reading service providing digital books through OverDrive.

  Sundance Facebook

Take a peek into life at Sundance through our Facebook Page!   

  Typing Agent

Recognizing the great need for students to keyboard accurately and efficiently, we've enrolled all students in an excellent online keyboarding program, Typing Agent.  This program adapts to each student's needs as it moves them through proper posture and keyboarding practice.