1. 2011 CSTs Basic Test Information Test Dates Steps to goal-setting

2. What are the CSTs (California Standards Tests)? The purpose of the CSTs is to determine students’ achievement of the California content standards for each grade or course. Students’ scores are compared to preset criteria to determine whether the students’ performance on the test is advanced, proficient, basic, below basic, or far below basic. The state target is for all students to score at the proficient and advanced levels.

3. Importance of taking the CSTs: Students have opportunity to compare their academic performance against their state peer group. Juniors who perform at early advanced or advanced on the EAP will not be required to take the entrance placement test at all CSUs and most California Community Colleges. TTHS is evaluated on our student’s academic performance and the percentage of students who participate, and administrative decisions are influenced by these results. Finally, throughout life you will be expected to perform academically either in post secondary education or in the world of work; taking traditional tests in a safe school setting allows you to practice this important life skill.

4. Dates of 2011 CST Tuesday, May 3 rd – ELA Thursday, May 5 th – Social Science Tuesday, May 10 th – Math Thursday, May 12 th – Science Sophomores will take a Life Science test during the week of May 16 th (no special testing schedule) Any 9 th through 11 th grader who misses any portion of the test will be expected to make up the test.

5. Who takes what test? 10 th Life Science All 10 th grade students will take this test, regardless of whether they have taken a science class this year English-Language Arts All 9 th – 11 th grade students will test, regardless of whether they have taken an English course at TTHS this year.

6. Who takes what test? (cont.) Social Science/History 9 th grade students will not test unless in World History. World History: All students who took World History this year will take this test. If a junior took World History and U.S. History, they will take the U.S. History test during the regularly scheduled test date, and take the World History test during make-ups. U.S. History: grade-level test: All 11 th grade students will test in U.S. History, regardless of whether they have taken U.S. History at TTHS this year.

7. Who takes what test? (cont.) Math – General Guidelines Math CST is based on the spring math course If no spring math course, test will be based on the fall math course. If no course taken this year, student will not be tested unless he/she completed Algebra 2B/Trig or higher last year. Then student will test in Summative High School Math. These are guidelines. Each math test is reviewed case by case. If you have any questions, please see your counselor.

8. Who takes what test? (cont.) Math – General Guidelines (cont.) Math CourseGrade 9 CSTGrade 10 CSTGrade 11 CST Algebra PrepGeneral MathNone Algebra 1AGeneral MathNone Algebra 1BAlgebra 1 Geometry/Honors Geometry Geometry Algebra 2AGeneral MathNone Algebra 2B/TrigAlgebra 2 Honors Alg 2/TrigAlgebra 2 Pre-Calculus Summative High School Math Calculus Summative High School Math

9. Who takes what test? (cont.) Science If students took 2 science classes during the year, they will test based on their SPRING class. Science CourseCST 9 th Gr Science (Honors, Regular)Earth Science Chemistry (Advanced, Regular)Chemistry Physics (Advanced, Regular)Physics Anatomy/PhysiologyNo CST for this subject Biology (AP, Honors, Regular)Biology Forensic ScienceNo CST for this subject Marine BiologyNo CST for this subject River EcologyNo CST for this subject

10. CST Goal Setting How to read your scores ▫Look at ‘SCALE SCORE’ & ‘PERFORMANCE’ Approximate Score Ranges for Performance Levels (actual score cut-offs vary slightly by test) Advanced (5)395 – 600 Proficient (4)350 – 394 Basic (3)300 – 349 Below Basic (2)265 – 299 Far Below Basic (1)150 – 264

11. CST Goal Setting (cont.) How to set a reasonable goal: If your last score wasReasonable Goal# of questions Far Below Basic (1)5-10 points1 – 2 questions Below Basic (2)10-15 points2-3 questions Basic (3)15-20 points3-4 questions Proficient (4)15-20 points3-4 questions Advanced (5)Maintain level