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State Mandated Testing

Testing Week Information

CHS Fall Testing Schedule,  October 7: 

 

10th and 11th Grade :

Sophomores and Juniors have the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT test. This is the only National Merit Qualifying Test for 11th grade students and is the practice test for the mandatory SAT exam that is given in April to all Juniors. The PSAT and SAT are some of the most important tests students will take, and so this opportunity to practice a high stakes exam is extremely beneficial. Registration closed Sunday, September 13

PSAT: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying) 

College bound 10th and 11th graders are encouraged to take the PSAT/NMSQT

  • High scoring Juniors taking the PSAT/NMSQT have the opportunity to qualify for National Merit Scholarships.
  • PSAT results can be linked with Khan Academy to provide free, personalized test prep for the SAT.

 

9th Grade

9th Graders will not attend classes on the morning of Wednesday, October 8, 2025. They will be expected to attend classes starting at 11:42. The bell schedule is linked below. 

Freshmen are expected to use this day to:

  • Check grades for each class. 
  • Do homework/study
  • Complete missing assignments (per class policy)
  • Perform community service hours for their graduation requirement.

Resources for Parents

Infinite Campus for Parent Information

Canvas Portal and App Information

 

12th Grade

Seniors are expected to select one alternative educational opportunity to work on for October 8, 2025:

  • A college visit.
  • Job shadow experience
  • Use this time to study, work on projects or catch up on missing assignments (per class policy)

Seniors will be expected to attend classes starting at 11:42. See the attached schedule below. 

Fall Testing Bell Schedule

 

Transportation

Buses will only run on a normal schedule (before 7:35 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m.). If possible, we strongly encourage students to arrange their own transportation on the days that they do not have a morning exam. If students are unable to arrange transportation around testing, a designated location in the building will be provided for a study area.

Lunch

Lunch service will be offered during testing. There will only be one lunch period on testing days.

Special Education Students

Students with accommodations will receive additional communications regarding their testing schedule.

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State Assessments and Testing Information

At DCSD, we want families to have clear information about the assessments students may take during the school year. State assessments provide information about student learning and help schools, districts, and the state understand how students are progressing toward Colorado's academic standards.

Why Does My Child Take State Assessments?

State assessments are one measure of student learning. Results can provide information about:

  • How students are progressing toward Colorado Academic Standards
  • Areas of academic strength and areas for continued growth
  • Student achievement and growth over time
  • How schools and districts are supporting student learning
  • Instructional and programmatic decisions

State assessment results are not intended to represent the complete picture of a student's abilities or academic progress. 

Resource: DCSD Board Policy IK: State Mandated Assessments 

Assessment Calendar, Schedules, and Board Policy

Assessment dates vary by grade level and assessment.

Colorado State Assessments

CMAS

  • The Colorado Measures of Academic Success, or CMAS, measures student learning in specific academic areas.

CoAlt 

  • Grades/Subject assessed: Grade 11 - Science

  • Beginning in Spring 2026, Colorado's state assessments are administered online. Paper testing is no longer a general testing option unless the school decides to test the entire grade level (Grades 3 and 4 only). Paper and pencil testing is available only as an accommodation for qualifying students with a documented disability whose IEP or 504 Plan identifies a need for a paper based format.

    • CoAlt is Colorado's alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities who meet the eligibility requirements for an alternate assessment.
    • CoAlt is individually administered, and testing time varies depending on the student's needs and responses
    • Grades/Subject assessed:

      • Grade 11 - Science

PSAT8/9, PSAT 10, and SAT 11

  • Colorado public school students participate in the College Board assessments as part of the state's assessment system.

    • Grade 9: PSAT 8/9

    • Grade 10: PSAT 10

    • Grade 11: SAT

      • The PSAT and SAT are administered digitally. The optional SAT essay is no longer part of Colorado's state administration beginning in Spring 2026.

Parents and Guardians May Excuse Their Student

Colorado law allows a parent or guardian to excuse their student from participating in state assessments.

DCSD respects every family's right to make this decision. Families who choose to excuse their student should follow the school's assessment excusal process.

26-27 DCSD Assessment Excusal Form Walkthrough Parent/Guardian

Questions?

If you have questions about state assessments, testing accommodations, or the assessment excusal process, please contact your school's School Assessment Coordinator (SAC):

Steven Borchik 
Chaparral High School 
School Assessment Coordinator
303-387-3508 
sdborchik@dcsdk12.org


 

Forms & Resources

If you are a parent/guardian requesting a paper version of the assessment, please email Steve Borchik by December 5, 2025.