American Federation of Teachers - A Union of Professionals

Skip directly to:

AFT - A Union of ProfessionalsTeachersHigher EducationPSRPPublic EmployeesHealthcareRetireesEarly Childhood Educators

Home > Hot Topics > Standards-Based Reform >

State-by-State Analysis: California

    Print 


Elementary

Middle

High School

Elementary

Middle

High School

Standards
The table below indicates the content the AFT looks for when reviewing English, math, science, and social studies standards. Standards that are clear and specific at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are shaded as indicated in the legend above. Standards that do not meet our criteria remain clear or "empty." Refer to the Content Standards link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards.

English

Reading Basics

Reading Comprehension

Writing Conventions

Writing Forms

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Math

Number Sense

Measurement

Geometry

Algebra

Data Analysis

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Science

Earth Science

Physical Science

Life Science

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Social Studies

Civics

U.S. History

World History

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Updated 8/2004 

Curriculum & Instruction
The table below identifies the components of a standards-based curriculum. If the components are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the components are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Curriculum & Instruction link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards-based curriculum materials.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Learning Continuum

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Instructional Resources

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Instructional Strategies

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Performance Indicators

Performance descriptors

None

None

None

None

Rubrics / scoring guides

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

Sample student work

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

Commentary on student work

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

Lesson Plans

Specifies standards addressed

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Specifies prior knowledge needed

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Integrates two or more standards

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Indicates necessary materials

None

None

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Includes classroom assessments

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Indicates length of time needed

None

None

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Includes sample student work and rubrics

None

None

None

None

Provides instructional guidance

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Includes instructional strategies for diverse learners

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

Updated 9/2002 

Assessing Student Performance
The table below indicates the features of an "open" or transparent assessment system that is based on the content standards. If the features are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the features are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Assessing Student Performance link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating open and aligned testing systems.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Grades assessed

2-11

2-11

5, 9-11

8, 10, 11

Alignment report available

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and High School

Middle and High School

State indicates standards tested

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and High School

Middle and High School

State indicates number of items per standard

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and High School

Middle and High School

Test or sample items released

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

None

None

Released items indicate standard tested

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

None

None

State provides grade-specific performance level descriptors

None

None

None

None

State provides rubrics

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and High School

Middle and High School

State releases scored student work

None

None

None

None

Released student work includes scorer commentary

None

None

None

None

Updated 4/2004

Accountability
The table below indicates the elements of a student accountability policy. If the elements are present, the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the elements are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Accountability link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating student accountability policies.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

State requires academic intervention for struggling students

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

State funds academic intervention for struggling students

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Promotion from grade to grade in elementary or middle school and/or graduation from high school is based, in part, on state test results

Elementary, Middle and High

Middle and High School

Students can earn awards for meeting higher standards

High School

High School

High School

High School

Updated 9/2002

 

 


Documents Reviewed

CAHSEE Language Arts Blueprint, Revised December 2000 (accountability)

California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) Background Information, 2004 (assessment, accountability)

California High School Exit Examination English-Language Arts Released Test Questions, 2002 (curriculum)

California High School Exit Examination English-Language Arts Teachers Guide, 2002 (curriculum)

California Science Framework for K-12 Public Schools (curriculum)

California's New Merit Scholarships (accountability)

California to Statehood and Beyond: Recommended Resources for Kindergarten through Grade 12, 2002 (curriculum)

Education Code Section 37252-37253, Supplemental Instruction (accountability)

Education Code Section 48070-48070.5, Promotion and Retention (accountability)

Education Code, Section 60850-60856, High School Exit Examination (accountability)

English-Language Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools (standards)

Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (accountability)

Governor's Scholarship Programs (accountability)

Guidelines on Academic Preparation for State Assessments, 2004 (assessments)

History-Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools (standards)

History-Social Science Framework (curriculum)

History-Social Science Publishers List 1999-2005 State Board Adopted (curriculum)

Mathematics Content Standards for California Public Schools (standards)

Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools (curriculum)

Reading/Language Arts/English Language Developers Publishers List, 2002-2008 State Board Adopted (curriculum)

Reading/Language Arts Framework for California Public Schools (curriculum)

Science Content Standards for California Public Schools (standards)

Science Publishers List 2000-2006 State Board Adopted (curriculum)

Scoring Rubric for Grade 4 and 7 California Writing Standards Tests (curriculum)

Senate Bill-Chaptered, Summer School (accountability)

Standard 1: Exploring Family Roots (curriculum)

Standard 4.3: Exploration and Colonial History (curriculum)

Standards Map—Basic Comprehension Program—Grades 9-10 English Language Arts (curriculum)

Standards Map—Basic Comprehension Program—Grades 11-12 English Language Arts (curriculum)

Standards Map—Basic Comprehension Program—Grade 10 History/Social Science (curriculum)

Standards Map—Basic Comprehension Program—Grade 11 History/Social Science (curriculum)

Standards Map—Basic Comprehension Program—Grade 12 History/Social Science (curriculum)

Standards Map—Basic Comprehension Program—Grades 8-12 Math (curriculum)

Standards Map—Basic Comprehension Program—Grades 9-12 Science (curriculum)

STAR Released Sample Test Questions and Topics, 2004 (assessments)

State Board of Education 2001 Mathematics Adoption Report (curriculum)

Teachers Guide for the California Writing Standards Tests at Grades 4 and 7, May 2002 (curriculum)

Unit 4: The Rancho Period (curriculum)

Welcome to the California Reading List Web Site (curriculum)

people picture
American Federation of Teachers | 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001

© American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. All rights reserved. | Disclaimer
Photographs and illustrations, as well as text, cannot be used without permission from the AFT.