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.
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.
CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success)
2019 Tests
This year's CMAS tests will be administered between April 8 and 26. Students in the third through eighth grade will take CMAS tests in English language arts and math. Students in the fifth, eighth and 11th grades will take the CMAS science tests. A sampling of students in the fourth and seventh grade will take the CMAS social studies tests. Students in ninth and 10th grade will take the PSAT between April 9 and 11, and students in the 11th grade will take the SAT on April 9. Results are expected to be delivered to districts in July. The results are expected to be released publicly in mid-August. Below are materials that can help you communicate about the statewide assessments.
CMAS
About CMAS
- CMAS Fact Sheet - What to expect for the 2018-19 school year English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
Description of what to expect for the 2018-19 school year. - CMAS At-a-Glance (PDF)
Times and dates of the assessments for the 2018-19 school year. - Frequently Asked Questions about Colorado's statewide assessment system.
- Understanding Colorado's Academic Growth System (PDF)
Parent-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
- Educator Effectiveness Frequently Asked Questions
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
- PSAT and SAT in Colorado: Delivering more opportunities for ALL students (PDF)
What you need to know on test day:
2018 Tests
Students in the third through eighth grade took CMAS tests in English language arts and math in the spring of 2018. Students in the fifth, eighth and 11th grades took CMAS science tests. And a sampling of students in the fourth and seventh grades took the social studies CMAS tests. Students in the ninth and 10th grades took the PSAT tests and 11th graders took the SAT, college entry exam. School districts received their results in July and the results were released publicly in August. Districts send out score reports to parents. These materials can help communicate about the results and the score reports.
Score Reports
2017-18 Sample Score Reports
Sample score reports to help explain how to interpret score reports.
- English Language Arts Sample Score Report Grade 3
English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) - Math Sample Score Report Grade 6
English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) - Science Sample Score Report Grade 5
English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) - Sample Score Report Social Studies Grade 4
CoAlt English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) - Spanish Performance Level Descriptors - CMAS English language arts and Math
About Score Reports
- Parent's Guide to Understanding the Score Reports - Help teachers, parents and students understand score reports.
- How to Use the Test Results to Support Your Student - Basic background information on test results.
Drop-in articles
Use entire articles or just portions to communicate with educators and parents about score reports
- Superintendent or Principal to Parents about Score Reports
English (DOC) | Spanish (DOC) - Superintendent or Principal to Educators about Score Reports - English (DOC)
Fact Sheets
- State and federal assessment requirements (PDF)
Access this quick reference on the federal and state required assessments.
View all Communications Tools from the Communications Division
We want to hear from you! Answer two, quick questions.
