English Language Learners (ELL) / Assessment

Assessment

Resources | CELDT | CAHSEE | CST | STS

Assessment Resources

California English Language Development Test (CELDT)

Who: All students whose primary language listed on the Home Language Survey is not English must take the test within 30 calendar days after they are enrolled in a California public school for the first time. The CELDT also must be given once each year to English learners until they become proficient in English.
What: The CELDT covers listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The CELDT is based on California English Language Development standards, adopted by the State Board of Education.
When: September-October
- CELDT Released Test Questions (pdf)
- CELDT Blueprint (doc)
- California Department of Education CELDT Homepage
- CELDT Homepage (EDS)
- CELDT Glossary of Terms (pdf)
- Scale Score Ranges

California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)

Who: All California public school students must satisfy the CAHSEE requirement, as well as all other state and local requirements, in order to receive a high school diploma.
What: The CAHSEE has two parts: English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics.
- The ELA part addresses state content standards through grade ten.
- The mathematics part of the CAHSEE addresses state standards in grades six and seven and Algebra I.
When: March (click here for additional dates for juniors and seniors)

California Standards Test (CST)

Who: All students in grades two through eleven in California’s public schools participate in the STAR Program each spring. This includes students with disabilities and students who are English learners.
What: The CST measures students’ achievement of California’s content standards for English–language arts, mathematics, science, and history–social science.
When: April-May

Standards-Based Tests in Spanish (STS)

Who: Spanish-speaking English learners enrolled in U.S. schools for less than one year are required to take the STS in addition to the CST in English. All English learners must also take the CST in English.
What: The STS series provides an opportunity for students who are Spanish-speaking English learners to demonstrate what they know and can do on a test given in their primary language. The STS measures achievement of California’s content standards for language arts and mathematics.
When: April-May
- STS Blueprint (doc)
- STS Homepage (ETS)

Last updated June 15, 2010