State delays release of test scores due to data error

Approximately 25,000 special education students’ exams found to have mistakes during ‘preview period’

The California Department of Education is delaying the public release of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress results due to an error with special education students’ scores.

Originally, the standardized test results were set to be released to the public on Tuesday.

Each year, before the California Department of Education releases the results the public, it sends data compilations and results to more than 1,000 local school districts during a “preview period” to ensure the accuracy of the information.

It was during this district review period that the error with approximately 25,000 special education students’ scores was discovered, according to an email sent by an official with the California Department of Education.

The students’ scores, accounting for less than one percent of the statewide total, had been associated with a different district from where they tested.

Currently, the California Department of Education said it is recalculating the data and “will release statewide results when this important work is complete.”

It is unknown when that work will be complete and when the CAASPP scores will be made available.

Officials with the Saugus Union School District and the William S. Hart Union High School District said they received word that the public release of the data would be delayed earlier this week.

Last year the scores were released Aug. 24, 2016 two years ago scores were released Sept. 9, 2015.

The CAASPP standardized were first implemented by the California Department of Education in 2015 when they replaced the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program.

Students in third grade to eighth grade and in eleventh grade participate in the CASSPP by taking Smarter Balanced Assessments. These assessments include a computer adaptive test and performance tasks to measure each student’s academic performance in English Language Arts/literacy and mathematics.

Based on the California Common Core Standards, the tests can take anywhere from six hours to seven-and-a-half hours to complete.

Results for the CAASPP can be evaluated at the state, county, district and school level and can be broken down further based on grade, gender, ethnic group and demographics.

Student scores are also described by four achievement levels: standards exceed, standards met, standards nearly met or standards not met.