California students go online in record numbers to take Common Core-aligned tests, with few glitches

May 29, 2017

California students go online in record numbers to take Common Core-aligned tests, with few glitches

Familiarity with tests and increased Internet capabilities helped districts administer assessments, but state system experienced glitches when overloaded.

Theresa Harrington

May 10, 2017

Teachers' concerns lead to changes in state's testing contract

The State Board of Education agreed to spend $1.5 million more on testing, including nearly $500,000 on new "Science Academies" intended to help teachers better understand the Next Generation Science Standards.

Theresa Harrington

April 28, 2017

Pilot science test underway in California, despite dispute with federal officials

Computer-based exam based on Next Generation Science Standards to be given through June.

Carolyn Jones

April 12, 2017

High schools turning to student portfolios to assess academic progress

Across California, 34 high schools and 12 districts have formed a network to promote performance-based assessments, including portfolios. These are the end product of months of intense collaboration, research, critical thinking and multiple revisions that students typically present in their senior year.

Ashley Hopkinson

April 6, 2017

College readiness program aims to boost AP scores

The National Math + Science Initiative program has led to improved Advanced Placement test scores in more than 725 schools in 34 states over three years.

Theresa Harrington

February 28, 2017

Two California schools among hundreds in U.S. taking international test to compare themselves globally

More than 100 U.S. schools are using an international test of 15-year-olds to see how they stack up against others around the world.

Theresa Harrington

February 23, 2017

California education officials reject Long Beach's request to replace statewide assessment with SAT

Citing duplication, the state's third-largest district sought to drop the 11th-grade Smarter Balanced test.

John Fensterwald

January 29, 2017

California will administer new pilot science test despite U.S. Department of Education ruling

State officials will administer the new test, not the old test in place since the 1990s.

Pat Maio

January 18, 2017

U.S. Education Department rejects California’s science testing plans

The U.S. Department of Education has rejected California’s request to begin administering online tests this spring based on new science standards.

Pat Maio

December 21, 2016

California appeals federal decision on state science testing

California education officials have appealed the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to reject the state’s request to begin phasing in new science tests this spring.

Pat Maio

December 13, 2016

Federal government insists again that California administer old science tests

If California does what the U.S. Department of Education says it should do, some students could end up taking two standardized science tests instead of one this spring.

Louis Freedberg

December 6, 2016

U.S. math scores decline on international test of 15-year-olds

PISA tests show a lower-than-average percentage of U.S. students were high-performing in math, while a higher-than-average percentage of U.S. students were below proficient in math last year.