Educational Services > Assessment & Accountability
Assessment & Accountability
CA School Dashboard
California’s accountability and continuous improvement system provide information about how local educational agencies and schools are meeting the needs of California’s diverse student population.
The CA School Dashboard contains reports that display the performance of local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and student groups on a set of state and local measures to assist in identifying strengths, challenges, and areas in need of improvement.
Additional Resources
The CA Dashboard Mobile App is now available. The mobile App allows parents and educators an easier way to access their school and district Dashboards, all at their fingertips. Download the CA Dashboard Mobile App today.
Getting to Know the California School Dashboard (PDF)
The Dashboard is an online tool designed to help communities across the state access important information about K-12 schools and districts.
Getting to Know the Measures (PDF)
The Dashboard features six state measures that provide important information on how schools are serving their students.
How Dashboard Colors are Determined (PDF)
The Dashboard shows the performance of districts, schools, and student groups on a set of state and local measures that assist in identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas in need of improvement.
Exploring the Equity Report (PDF)
Equity is at the Heart of California's Accountability System. The Dashboard shines a light on both the successes and challenges that county offices, districts, and schools are experiencing in addressing disparities.
CAASPP Test Administration
State Assessment Parent and Guardian Notification Letter
There are many ways to measure your child’s learning. Your child’s teacher uses report card grades, classroom work, teacher observations, and end-of-year statewide test results to get a complete picture of your child’s learning. Each spring, third through eighth grade students in Union School District participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). These tests were created specifically to gauge each student’s performance in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. Additionally, students in fifth and eighth grade take the California Science Test (CAST.) These tests measure the skills called for by the academic standards, including the ability to write clearly, think critically, and solve problems.
Because CAASPP tests are given statewide, they provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards. Given online, the tests are computer-adaptive, allowing more precise measurement of individual skills. The CAASPP assessments will be one measure that will be used—along with other information—to measure the progress that our schools and district are making in educating all of our students.
The district’s official testing window is set during the spring. Within this window, each school will create a specific testing schedule and notify parents. Although the tests are untimed, tests may take between 4-5 hours (total) over the course of the testing window. We appreciate your efforts to ensure your child is in school at this time.
You are an important part of your child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can:
Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, and they should not be anxious or scared.
Explore the practice tests with your child at caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html (enter the “student” interface and log in as a guest) so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.
Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and are there to help, every step of the way.
You will receive your child’s results at or before the beginning of the next school year. The results will identify where your child is doing well or needs more help, so you can better support their learning at home and teachers can better support their learning in the classroom.
To learn more about these tests go to the Starting Smarter web page at ca.startingsmarter.org/, or review the Parent Guides to Understanding at cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.
Expanded Learning Opportunities
Per Assembly Bill 86 passed in March of 2021, Union School District now offers an Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) for those students that meet eligibility. The program, implemented through our Extended Care offerings at all 8 schools provides instructional support, hand on STEM-based activities and promotes social and emotional well-being. Through our Extended Care program, students receive homework support and engage in a variety of activities. Eligible students are those that meet state income criteria. To see if your child is eligible, you may complete this application or email our Extended Care program at MartikK@unionsd.org.
USD Expanded Learning Opportunities Plan (ELOP) 2022-25
ESSER III Plan
Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)
The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and its local accountability counterpart, the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) were implemented with the idea that California must do a better job for its underperforming students, who in fact make up a sizable portion of the state’s school-age population. The LCFF changes the way funding is distributed to school districts with more money going to districts with higher numbers of students who qualify for free or reduced-priced meals, are English learners, or foster youth.
The LCAP describes the district's goals for improving student outcomes according to the LCFF (8) State Priorities set by the State of California and the funding to support those goals.
1. Basic Necessities
2. Implementation (CCSS)
3. Parental Involvement
4. Student Achievement
5. Student Engagement
6. School Climate
7. Access to Courses
8. Other student outcomes
Under the LCFF, all local educational agencies (LEAs) including school districts, county offices of education (COEs), and charter schools are required to prepare an LCAP, which describes how they intend to meet annual goals for all pupils, with specific activities to address state and local priorities identified pursuant to California Education Code (EC) sections 52060(d), 52066(d), and 47605.
An important part of the process for creating the LCAP includes input from teachers, principals, school personnel, students, bargaining units, parents and district advisory committees. The Union School District Board annually adopts the LCAP in June before the plan is submitted to the Santa Clara County Office of Education for final approval.
Board Approved June 10, 2024
Board Approved June 10, 2024
School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
State law requires all public schools receiving state funding to prepare and distribute a SARC. The purpose of the report card is to provide parents and the community with important information about each public school.
USD 2022-2023 School Accountability Report Cards
Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)
Title I
The purpose of Title 1 funding is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps by allocating federal funds for education programs and services.