2020 Colorado Academic Standards and Testing Updates

Beginning with the 2020 – 2021 school year, the new Colorado Academic Standards will be implemented. Last updated in 2009/2010, these standards drive much of what is taught in Colorado public schools.  To confirm that students are grasping these standards prior to graduation, tests are administered to check student knowledge. In this week’s blog we will briefly highlight the updated mathematics standards, the upcoming exams and the changes COVID-19 has brought to annual educational state and national testing.

Updated Colorado Academic Mathematics Standards

The goal of the new standards for mathematics is to present instruction in a more realistic way, outside of focusing solely on giving the “right” answer and more emphasis on truly understanding the work that goes into solving a math problem. The standards focus on establishing the following skill sets and knowledge base starting from preschool to 12^th grade:

1. Number and Quantity: Students will gain an understanding of various number groupings and concepts (i.e.., real numbers, whole numbers, complex numbers). This may be demonstrated through learning to round numbers or understanding fractions.
2. Algebra and Functions: The focus will be on helping students connect to the real world through algebraic equations and functions, building upon the familiar concepts they learned in lower grades. This concept can be shown by understanding the relationship between numerical patterns.
3. Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability: Students will learn how to collect, analyze, and present data, preparing them for statistics study in higher grades. This can be practiced through exercises that require students to review population samples and then draw conclusions about them.
4.  Geometry: Students will make connections between shapes and utilize their reasoning skills to discover the real-world application of geometry. This standard can be reinforced through students explaining various shapes (rectangle, polygon) and lines (perpendicular, parallel).

Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS)

All elementary and middle school students in grades 3 through 8 are required to take The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS). This is a yearly exam used to measure student achievement and understanding in the subjects of English, math, science, and social studies.  The purpose of this test is to ensure students are learning the required subject matter for their grade level and are prepared for this information to develop and advance to the next grade. Teachers and school districts then use test results to improve instruction, so students are prepared upon high school graduation.

Students are given 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam. Exam dates for this year are scheduled for April 12 – April 30, 2020. The test is traditionally taken by students on a computer, but school districts have the option to request paper tests. Resources for test prep and practice tests for the exam can be found here. Practice materials are organized by subject and grade level for easy access.

Preliminary/Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT/SAT)

Instead of the CMAS, 9^th and 10^th grade students take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). Serving as a pre-SAT, students are tested on Math and English/Language Arts. 11^th grade students take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and are also tested on Math and English/Language Arts. (11^th graders also take CMAS exams for science and social studies). 

COVID-19 has impacted the regular testing schedule for high school students as well, as the 2020 Spring testing dates were canceled. As an alternative, some students may have the option to take the exams this Fall instead of waiting until Spring 2021. The Colorado Department of Education will allow 12^th graders to take the SAT and 11^th graders to take the PSAT free of charge, if they are enrolled in a Colorado public school. The alternate testing option is not a requirement and will be at the discretion of the Colorado public school districts and charter schools and their testing decisions.

The primary testing dates for the SAT took place in September and early October, but the makeup test date is Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Students with testing vouchers can choose from the following remaining weekend dates: Saturday, November 7, 2020 or Saturday, December 5, 2020. For the PSAT, the alternate test date is Thursday, October 29, 2020. For the 2021 testing season, districts have the option to set the primary test date on April 13, 14 or 15^th for the PSAT, with a makeup test dates of April 27 – 28, 2021.

To ensure your child is as prepared as possible for the CMAS, PSAT/SAT or just general math instruction, Mathnasium is your one stop shop. We can create an individualized plan for your child to bring out their confidence in any math setting. Give us a call or send us an email to get started.  

Mathnasium of Littleton

(303) 979-9077