Preliminary CAASPP results: Carmel Unified reports gains, district staff flag subgroup work and data use
September 11, 2025 | Carmel Unified, School Districts, California
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Carmel Unified School District officials presented preliminary results from the spring 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the California Science Test (CAST) at the board meeting.
Andrew Rodriguez, the district’s curriculum, instruction and assessment coordinator, said the district’s major takeaways were steady performance overall and moderate increases, particularly in math and science. Rodriguez told the board that preliminary figures show about 73% of students scored at or above standard in English language arts; he highlighted math gains in the 11th-grade cohort (district figures presented showed a substantial year-over-year jump) and reported an increase in CAST results (moving roughly from 58% to 60% at or above standard). Rodriguez emphasized these are one measure in a broader assessment system and that site principals already have school-level reports to make results actionable.
The presentation focused on subgroup (cohort) results for English learners and students with disabilities. Rodriguez and board members noted percentage increases for both cohorts and said the district is using the data to refine interventions. Rodriguez explained the district uses multiple screening tools in addition to CAASPP — local screeners such as DIBELS, i‑Ready (MAP) and site-level assessments — and that further analyses (including “distance from standard” and cohort tracking) will be included in the official state release.
Board members asked about participation and timelines. District staff said the district met the state’s 95% participation threshold in all but one school this year; staff also noted that parents may legally opt students out and that opt-outs are one common reason for lower participation at the high school level. Rodriguez said the official state release of detailed metrics will be in mid‑October, with county and state comparisons and the public data dashboard expected in late October to early November.
Board discussion was largely supportive; members and the superintendent emphasized the need to get timely, actionable data into teachers’ hands. Several members praised the district’s efforts to expand data access and training and to focus supports on cohorts requiring targeted interventions. Student board member Juliet Norman and others praised site-level test preparation and student supports.
No action was required; the item was an information presentation and the board opened a discussion but took no votes.
Andrew Rodriguez, the district’s curriculum, instruction and assessment coordinator, said the district’s major takeaways were steady performance overall and moderate increases, particularly in math and science. Rodriguez told the board that preliminary figures show about 73% of students scored at or above standard in English language arts; he highlighted math gains in the 11th-grade cohort (district figures presented showed a substantial year-over-year jump) and reported an increase in CAST results (moving roughly from 58% to 60% at or above standard). Rodriguez emphasized these are one measure in a broader assessment system and that site principals already have school-level reports to make results actionable.
The presentation focused on subgroup (cohort) results for English learners and students with disabilities. Rodriguez and board members noted percentage increases for both cohorts and said the district is using the data to refine interventions. Rodriguez explained the district uses multiple screening tools in addition to CAASPP — local screeners such as DIBELS, i‑Ready (MAP) and site-level assessments — and that further analyses (including “distance from standard” and cohort tracking) will be included in the official state release.
Board members asked about participation and timelines. District staff said the district met the state’s 95% participation threshold in all but one school this year; staff also noted that parents may legally opt students out and that opt-outs are one common reason for lower participation at the high school level. Rodriguez said the official state release of detailed metrics will be in mid‑October, with county and state comparisons and the public data dashboard expected in late October to early November.
Board discussion was largely supportive; members and the superintendent emphasized the need to get timely, actionable data into teachers’ hands. Several members praised the district’s efforts to expand data access and training and to focus supports on cohorts requiring targeted interventions. Student board member Juliet Norman and others praised site-level test preparation and student supports.
No action was required; the item was an information presentation and the board opened a discussion but took no votes.
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