Resources

Assessment Toolkit

The following items are designed to help districts and schools communicate with parents about state assessments. These materials can be shared in newsletters or during parent information events or parent-teacher conferences. All materials may be tailored to meet your local needs. More materials will be added as they are updated.

Which tests will students take — CMAS: English Language Arts / Literacy, grades 3 through 8. Math, grades 3 through 8. Social Studies, grades 4 and 7 (sampling approximately 1/3 of schools participating). Science, grades 5, 8, and 11. PSAT / SAT: PSAT, grades 9 and 10. SAT, grade 11.

2020-21 Tests

While there is still uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact this year’s instructional settings, a typical state assessment administration season is scheduled to resume in spring 2021 as required by state and federal law. As with most aspects of education, state assessments may need to be adjusted in response to COVID-19 conditions. We will continue to monitor state and federal assessment requirements and expectations as the school year progresses across Colorado and as COVID-19 responses evolve this year. Currently scheduled administration windows are included below:

ACCESS for ELLs

Jan. 11 - March 12, 2021

CMAS/CoAlt: ELA/CSLA/Math/Science/Social Studies

April 12 - 30, 2021

CO SAT

Primary Test Date: April 13, 2021
Make-up Test Date: April 27, 2021

CO PSAT for grades 9 and 10

Primary Test Date: April 13, 14, or 15, 2021 (district choice)
Make-up Test Date: April 27 or 28, 2021 (district choice)

HS CoAlt ELA/Math (DLM) for grades 9-11

Aligned to PSAT/SAT schedule to the extent possible

ACCESS for ELLs

Communications Toolkit - ACCESS for ELLs Testing

Key messages, a fact sheet and a sample letter to parents/guardians are available for district and school leaders to use as they communicate about ACCESS for English Language Learners testing during COVID-19. These materials are available in both English and Spanish. View them here.

CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success)

About CMAS

Frequently Asked Questions about Colorado's statewide assessment system. - English | Spanish (PDF)
Understanding Colorado's Academic Growth System (PDF)
Family-friendly guide to understanding Colorado's Academic Growth system.
Purpose and Value of State Assessments (PDF)
CMAS and PSAT/SAT are the only common measuring tools for Colorado students.
CMAS results and teacher evaluations
Data Privacy and Assessment Results (PDF)

PSAT and SAT

About PSAT and SAT

PSAT/SAT Fact Sheet (PDF)
PSAT/SAT are aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards and provide other benefits, including free, high-quality practice tools and scholarship opportunities.
PSAT & SAT Overview and Testing Dates