Introduction

Interim Assessments (IAs) are optional tests teachers can use as part of implementing the formative assessment process to adjust instruction and better meet students’ needs. Interim assessments offer flexible administration options that support local implementation decisions and can be administered in both standardized and non-standardized ways in the classroom. Refer to the Interim Assessment User Guide for more information about interim assessment administration.

The California Educator Reporting System (CERS) displays student results for:

• Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments for ELA and math
  • Interim Comprehensive Assessments (ICAs)
  • Interim Assessment Blocks (IABs) and Focused IABs (FIABs)
• California Science Test (CAST) interim assessments
• English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) interim assessments

Unlike summative assessments, all interim assessments allow users to view item-level data. Refer to the Interpretive Guide on the differences between Smarter Balanced IABs and ICAs for ELA and mathematics and interpretive information about the CAST and ELPAC interim assessments.

CAST and ELPAC IAs contain more content coverage than an IAB for ELA or Math. However, the testing time for a CAST IA is similar to that of an IAB. ELPAC IAs are about half of the normal summative administration both in number of items and time for testing.