State Mandated Testing
Gage students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) system. Students in grades 3–5 take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and fifth-grade students also participate in the California Science Test (CAST). English learners take the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) to measure progress toward English language proficiency.
In addition, fifth-grade students participate in the California Physical Fitness Test (PFT), which measures fitness levels in areas such as aerobic capacity, strength, endurance, flexibility, and body composition. These assessments provide valuable information that helps teachers monitor student progress, inform instruction, and support academic and physical growth.
When reviewing assessment results, families should keep in mind that students enrolled in Gage's Spanish Immersion Program follow a unique educational pathway. Students in the immersion program receive the majority of their literacy instruction in Spanish during the primary grades and begin formal English Language Arts instruction in third grade. However, California's statewide assessments are administered in English.
For this reason, state assessment results represent only one measure of achievement for students in the Spanish Immersion Program. Gage also uses Spanish-language assessments, classroom performance data, and other measures to monitor student growth and literacy development in both languages. Research on dual-language immersion programs indicates that students often demonstrate strong long-term academic outcomes and frequently meet or exceed the achievement of their peers in later grades while gaining the additional benefits of bilingualism and biliteracy. Therefore, we consider multiple sources of data when evaluating student progress and program effectiveness.
District Mandated Testing
Gage students participate in district-adopted assessments throughout the school year to help teachers monitor progress and guide instruction.
Students in the primary grades take early literacy assessments such as mCLASS DIBELS and Lectura, along with i-Ready assessments in reading and math to measure academic growth. Transitional Kindergarten students participate in Heggerty assessments to support early phonemic awareness skills.
English learners take the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC), and second-grade students are screened for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program.
These assessments provide important information that helps ensure students receive appropriate support, enrichment, and instruction aligned to their needs.
Special Education Testing
Parents may request that a district psychologist and resource specialist evaluate their children for learning disabilities. Requests are to be made to the principal. An Student Success Team (SST) will meet with the parent or guardian to determine the appropriateness of the request.