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Colorado Student Assessment Program

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1. What is CSAP?

CSAP stands for Colorado Student Assessment program. It is a test designed to measure student achievement in relationship to the Colorado Model Content Standards. These standards are expectations specifying what students should know at particular points in their education. As a result, CSAP provides a series of snapshots of student achievement in reading, writing, math, and science as they move through grades 3-10.

2. Who writes the CSAP assessments?

CSAP is developed collaboratively by the testing contractor and Colorado Department of Education (CDE). Teachers, curriculum specialists, and community members from across the state are involved in constructing each new assessment.

3. How long does the test take?

Each subject area of the CSAP (reading, writing, math, and science) takes three testing sessions. Third grade reading and writing are the exception, which take two testing sessions. Testing sessions last about an hour.

4. Who scores the tests?

Multiple choice questions are machine-scored. The open-ended written responses are scored by well-trained, certified scorers. All the scorers have college degrees.

5. How did the State decide who would be advanced, proficient, partially proficient, or unsatisfactory?

The performance levels were established by Colorado teachers from across the state. Each question / item was discussed in order to specify knowledge, skills, and abilities that students should have to correctly answer the question or item. A complete examination of the question is available on the CDE's Website

6. Is my child required to take the CSAP?

Yes, every student enrolled in grades 3-10 are expected to take an assessment in reading, writing, and math. Grades five, eight, and 10 are expected to take an assessment in science.

7. My child is a special needs student. Does he/she have to take the CSAP?

Appropriate accommodations are allowed to assist students with special needs in taking the assessment. Each school district determines when it is not appropriate to administer the CSAP to certain students. Students with significant disabilities may have a different level of expectation and would not benefit by taking the CSAP. In Spring 2001, an alternate assessment program (CSAP-A) became available.

8. Can I see or get a copy of the test my child takes?

Before the test, no. Only those involved in developing and giving the test can see it before the students take it.

After the test, 25 percent of the items are released to the public so one can see actual examples of CSAP test questions. A supervised review of the test can be arranged by the Student Assessment Unit of the Colorado Department of Education.

9. If my child does not make an effort to do well on his/her test, how does it affect his/her grade?

This decision is made at each school or district. However, no matter what decision the school or district makes, it is important that all students give their best on this test so they can demonstrate what they know and can do.

10. Why do schools take so much time to get ready to take the CSAP? Are teachers ignoring other important skills and subjects such as social studies, art, music, and physical education?

Because CSAP was designed to assess how well students have met the Colorado Model Content Standards, teachers should be preparing students for CSAP through their everyday curriculum.

11. I am disappointed that my child scored Partially Proficient. Does that mean that he/she failed the test and is below grade level in that subject?

The Colorado Model Content Standards are rigorous standards. Colorado educators who set the performance levels held very high expectations for all students. Many students who perform at the partially proficient level are demonstrating considerable academic skills and abilities, however, their performance on CSAP was not consistently high enough to meet the CSAP rigorous standards.

12. What happens with the results of the CSAP? Who gets to see my child’s CSAP score?

Results will generate information about how well schools and students are performing statewide, using a common yardstick — the Colorado Model Content Standards. The Colorado Department of Education is required by law to report CSAP results for the state and for all local school districts. Individual student scores are released only to the school and school district. Teachers are encouraged to share this information with each student’s parents. School, District, and statewide scores are public records, individual scores are not public records.

13. What are accommodations?

An accommodation allows students to have access to the CSAP without changing the expectations. A student can use an accommodation if he/she has receive that same accommodation in class for at least three months.

14. Is CSAP available in Spanish?

The CSAP assessments are available in Spanish for third and fourth grade reading and writing.

15. What happens if a school does not score well on the CSAP?

According to legislation, low-performing schools can obtain assistance from the Colorado Department of Education in the development of a School Improvement Plan.