Colorado’s 2020-21 state assessment plan is conditionally approved by the U.S Department of Education

On March 26, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) conditionally approved Colorado’s plan for the state assessments that students in grades 3-11 will take this spring, based on the unique circumstances Colorado schools are facing as a result of the pandemic. This plan for assessments comes toward the end of a difficult year for students, families and educators and aims to provide some relief to those affected.

What effect will the assessment plan have on Colorado students and their families?

• Schools will be required to administer the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) in English language arts to all students in grades 3, 5, and 7.
• CMAS math assessments will be administered to all students in grades 4, 6, and 8.
• Although only some students will be assessed under this plan, parents and caregivers who want to know how their children are progressing in both English language arts and math may have their children take both tests.
• USED did not approve Colorado’s request to suspend all science tests and, as a result, schools must administer those tests to eighth grade students.
• The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) must publicly report the SAT Analysis in science subscore this year.
• Social studies tests will not be given this year.

Looking for more information about CMAS assessments this spring?

Visit the CDE’s website for resources for parents and share the link below with your friends and family:

http://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/resourcesforparents

About Jacqueline Tiwonge Nkhonjera

Jacqueline Nkhonjera is the Communications and Advocacy Fellow for the Colorado Children’s Campaign. In this role, she supports strategic advocacy and communications tactics. This includes digital and print communications as well as community outreach and engagement. Before coming to the Children’s Campaign, Jacqueline worked as a public policy fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado, and as a journalist at the National Public Radio (NPR) Education Desk. She graduated from Colorado College in May of 2020 with a degree in Political Science.