• The following is from the California Department of Education

    On September 4, 2013, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS) as required by California Education Code Section 60605.85. The CA NGSS Appendices A–M also were adopted to assist teachers in the implementation of the new science standards.

    On November 3, 2016, the SBE approved the Science Curriculum Framework.

    The California Department of Education (CDE) is developing a new science assessment based on the CA NGSS. The statewide California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System includes federally required science assessments in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade ten, eleven, or twelve). This science assessment is the new California Science Test (CAST), which is based on the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve.

    The following is the CAST Timeline:

    Year CAST Available Testing Window
    2017–18
    Field test
    From April 2, 2018, to within the LEA’s selected testing window or last day of instruction
    2018–19
    Operational test
    TBD
    2019–20
    Operational test
    TBD