DC CAS Technical Report Spring 2011

June 30, 2011

This document describes the operational District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessment System (DC CAS) that was administered to students in the spring of 2011 to assess students’ skills in Grades 3–8 and 10 in Reading and Mathematics; in Grades 5 and 8 in Science; in high school Biology; and in Grades 4, 7, and 10 in Composition. The DC CAS in Reading, Mathematics, and Science/Biology contains multiple-choice and constructed-response items that are administered under standardized conditions. The suggested time allotment for each section is approximately 30 to 40 minutes. The tests have suggested time limits instead of fixed time limits because the DC CAS tests are designed to measure proficiency in Reading, and Mathematics, with the goal of measuring Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as the program continues from year to year. The Composition assessment is a single essay prompt that is scored twice using two different rubrics. Composition and Science/Biology are not included in AYP calculations.