Resources

Assessment Communications Toolkit

The state legislature and U.S. Department of Education reduced the number of CMAS tests students will take in spring 2021. The following items are designed to help districts and schools communicate the changes to families. All materials may be tailored to meet your local needs. More materials will be added as they are updated.

CMAS: English Language Arts / Literacy, grades 3, 5 and 7. Math, grades 4, 6 and 8. Science, Grade 8. Social Studies, no tests this spring. PSAT / SAT: PSAT, grades 9 and 10. SAT, grade 11. Note: Parents and caregivers can choose to have children take both the English Language arts and math tests if they would like to see how their children are progressing in both subject areas.

Assessment Fact Sheets

The state legislature and U.S. Department of Education reduced the number of CMAS tests students will take in spring 2021:

CMAS 2021 Results - What Parents Need to Know (PDF)
- This one-pager covers the unique learning experiences from the pandemic, what results can tell us about children's learning and how participation rates factor into results.
Spring 2021 State Assessments (PDF) - This fact sheet explains the changes to assessments for spring 2021. - Updated 3/26/2021
- Spanish Version (PDF)
At a Glance 2020-21 (PDF) - This one-page fact sheet shows which state assessments students take based on grade level and the total time students in each grade will spend taking tests. - Updated 3/26/2021
- Spanish Version (PDF)

Assessment Dates

Currently scheduled administration windows for the 2020-21 school year:

ACCESS for ELLs

Jan. 11 - March 12, 2021

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

April 12 - May 14, 2021

CO SAT

Primary Test Date: April 13, 2021
Make-up Test Date: April 27 or May 18, 2021

CO PSAT for grades 9 and 10

Primary Test Date: April 13, 14, 15 or 16, 2021 (district choice)
Make-up Test Date: April 27, 28, 29 or 30, 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.

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

Sample Parent Letters

Districts and schools may use these sample letters to communicate with parents about state assessments. Additional sample letters will be added as more becomes known about CMAS assessments in spring 2021.