Overview
Students take a variety of tests throughout the school year. Some are required by the state and the district, others are required to sample student performance across the country, and some are voluntary. The purpose of these tests is make sure students are on the right track, meeting state academic standards and performing at least as well as their peers across the country. For a more detailed overview, view the student testing fact sheet in English
or Spanish .
School Accountability Measures
| • | Academic Performance Index (API) |
| • | Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Report |
| • | District Accountability Framework |
| • | No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) |
Nationally-mandated Tests
| • | National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) |
State-mandated Tests
District-mandated Tests
| • | Degrees of Reading Power (DRP) |
| • | Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) |
| • | Analytical Reading Inventory (ARI) & Informal Reading Inventory (IRI) |
| • | District Mathematics Test (DMT) |
| • | Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) Pre-Algebra and Algebra Readiness Tests |
| • | End-of-Course Exams |
| • | End-of-Semester Exams |
| • | Practice CAHSEE |
Degrees of Reading Power (DRP)
Replacing the Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test (SDRT) as the district-mandated reading assessment, the DRP is a direct measure of reading comprehension administered to all students in Grades 4-8 beginning in the 2004-05 school year. Learn more.
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA)
The DRA, and its Spanish-language equivalent, the Evaluación del Desarrollo de la Lectura (EDL), are individually administered reading assessments for grades K-3. Teachers administer these tests three to four times a year to determine reading level and to document progress. Learn more.
Analytical Reading Inventory (ARI) and Informal Reading Inventory (IRI)
The ARI is an individually-administered assessment conducted during a one-on-one reading conference. It is administered periodically to students in grades 4-8. Results are used to determine a student’s instructional reading level, guide teachers in planning classroom instruction, identify appropriate supports and interventions, and document progress over time. Learn more.
The Informal Reading Inventory (IRI) is a similar assessment but is administered to students in grades 9-12.
District Mathematics Test (DMT)
The District Mathematics Test (DMT) is given to students in grade 5 near the end of the school year. This test assesses grade-level mathematics skills and is tied to state content standards. The results are used to identify students in need of additional mathematics support. Different tests are given to 5th and 6th graders; therefore, scores for the two grades cannot be compared. Learn more.
Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) Pre-Algebra and Algebra Readiness Test
The Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) Pre-Algebra and Algebra Readiness Tests are multiple-choice tests given at the end of sixth and seventh grades.Learn More.
End-of-Course Exams
End-of-Course Exams are district-developed, standards-based assessments for students in the second semester of selected subjects in high school. Currently, these exams are part of the standard syllabus for Algebra 1-2; English 1, 2; English 3, 4; World History and Geography 1, 2; Biology 1,2; Chemistry 1,2; Geometry 1,2; Intermediate Algebra 1,2. Learn more.
End-of-course exams:
 |
• | Establish effectiveness of curriculum in each subject. |
| • | Ensure course content is focused on state standards. | |
| • | Establish common level of expected performance. | |
| • | Ensure evaluation of student performance is consistent across classrooms and schools. | |
| • | Help identify students who need additional help to meet graduation requirements. |
End-of-course exams are also a key component in the district's overall plan for complying with the No Child Left Behind Act.
End-of-Semester Exams
Semester exams are part of an on-going effort by San Diego Unified School District to design a comprehensive district-wide assessment system that is aligned to state standards and academic frameworks. The alignment of the semester exams to state standards provides a common base of understanding of what students should know and be able to do in Language Arts and History/Social Science. End-of-Semester exams:
- Provide teachers with specific student performance data to be used in assigning grades.
- Inform teachers about the effectiveness of personal teaching practice.
Practice California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
Beginning with the 2005-06 school year, no student can receive a public high school diploma without having passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), as well as having met the District's requirements for graduation. The purpose of administering the Practice CAHSEE is to help the District identify students who are in need of additional support to pass the CAHSEE and provide information on the effectiveness of District support and intervention programs. During the 2006-07 school year, the Practice CAHSEE will be administered in the fall to all Grade 10 students and in the spring to all Grade 9 students. In future years beginning in 2007-08, it will be administered only once, in the spring, to all Grade 9 students.
The Practice CAHSEE contains items from previous administrations of the CAHSEE that have been released by the California Department of Education (CDE). The Practice CAHSEE has two parts: an English-Language Arts section, which consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and one writing task; and, a Mathematics section, which contains 50 multiple-choice questions. View Testing Calendar.
Voluntary Tests
| • | Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations | ||||||||
| • | International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations | ||||||||
| • | College Entrance Examinations:
|
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
The Advanced Placement program consists of college-level courses in over 21 subjects that high school students may substitute for the regular curriculum. Students who are successful on the subsequent AP exams may meet certain college entrance requirements and/or earn college credit if they score well on these exams. To learn more, view the AP fact sheet in English
or Spanish , or visit the California Department of Education AP website.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations
The International Baccalaureate program is a rigorous, two-year liberal arts course of study for students in grades 11 and 12. IB final examinations are based on two years' coursework in each course for each student. Students who score well on the IB exams may meet certain college entrance requirements and/or earn college credit. To learn more, view the Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Programs fact sheet in English
or Spanish , or visit the International Baccalaureate Organization website.Scholastic Assessment Test - Subject Tests (SAT II)
One-hour tests measure student knowledge in a particular academic subject area. Many colleges require or recommend one or more of the Subject Tests for admission or placement. To learn more, view the College Board SAT II webpage.
Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT)
The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT I: Reasoning Test and SAT II: Writing Test. It also gives students a chance to qualify for National Merit Scholarship Corporation's (NMSC) scholarship programs. To learn more, visit the College Board's PSAT page.
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I)
The SAT measures verbal and mathematical reasoning skills students have developed over time and skills they need to be successful academically. The SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800 and is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. The test is administered several times a year. Visit the College Board SAT I page.
American College Test (ACT)
The ACT Assessment is designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. To learn more, visit the ACT website.
Contact Information
Standards, Assessment and Accountability Division
| • | Handles administration, processing, interpretation, and compliance for district-mandated assessments. |
| • | Evaluates accountability measures such as the Academic Performance Index (API) and the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. |
| • | Supervises production and distribution of the School Accountability Report Card (SARC). |
Assessment Services Department – Testing Unit
| • | Coordinates the administration of state-mandated tests. |
| • | Ensures prescribed testing procedures are followed at all school sites. |
| • | Provides parents with individual student test results of state-mandated assessment programs. |
District Assessment Unit
| • | Coordinates district-mandated tests. |
| • | Ensures prescribed testing procedures are followed at all school sites. |
