In classrooms across California, state assessments serve as a key tool for evaluating student learning, school performance, and accountability. But how do students actually feel about these tests? What do they believe the results mean, and how do they experience the preparation process? Too often, these questions go unasked. At our recent webinar, Parsec Education’s CEO, Babatunde Ilori, and Chief of Education and Partner Success, Rachael Maves, explored these topics through a student-centered lens using Parsec Real. Leveraging insights from over 1,100 student responses gathered before and after the CAASPP test, we were able to collect a well-rounded view from districts and charters across California.
This blog breaks down what was learned, how one school is taking action, and what others can take away as they prepare for future assessment cycles.
A Closer Look at the Real Pre and Post-CAASPP Campaign
Through Parsec Real, a tool designed to elevate student voice, the Learning and Impact Services team at Parsec created a Pre and Post-CAASPP question set. Partner schools across the state administered the prompts to their students before and after testing. In total, over 1,182 students from more than 18 schools shared their thoughts. To help schools move beyond the numbers, the Parsec Partner Success Team created a pre-created Real campaign focused on state assessments given to all of our partners. This campaign included two separate student surveys: one distributed before the CAASPP, and one administered after. Both surveys were intentionally designed to be short, accessible, and focused on open-ended responses.
The pre-test questions asked students:
- Why do you think students take the state test?
- What do you think the adults at your school learn from your test scores?
- Why is it important to try your hardest on the test?
- What makes you feel ready for the test?
- If you had to give yourself a grade for how well you’re doing in school, what grade would you give yourself and why?
These questions aimed to surface students’ mindsets before they sat for the exam revealing their assumptions, motivations, and emotional state. A major pre-analysis theme was testing anxiety! Across all Partner schools, students mentioned multiple reasons why they take the State test. Reasons included: Academic progress tracking, Identifying areas for improvement, & School funding
Students responded with a few key things that helped them feel prepared for the test:
- Snacks/solid meals (food was a key theme for many partner schools)
- Calm testing environment was a key theme
- Practice Tests
The post-test follow-up then asked:
- What did you find most challenging about the state assessment?
- How prepared did you feel for the test?
- Were there any topics on the test that you felt were not covered enough in your lessons?
- How can our school help you feel better prepared for future tests?
- Tell us about your experience preparing for the test with your teacher (Chromebook checks, practice tests, etc.).
A major post-analysis theme was study materials and practice tests help make a difference! Other key themes include: Testing Anxiety, Perseverance/Endurance (students reporting the testing blocks were too long) and Instructional Rigor vs the Test. Students reported in high volumes across schools that the Math they encountered during the school year was not as rigorous as the Math they encountered on the test
Over 1,182 students across 18+ schools participated. The data set was rich, allowing partner schools to analyze patterns, group feedback by themes, and connect student sentiment to CAASPP outcomes.
What One School Discovered
At School A and School B, two sites that participated in the Real Pre and Post-CAASPP collection, responses helped school leaders better understand student readiness and perception.
When asked, “What makes you feel ready for the test?”, a majority of students from both schools gave responses classified as positive or mostly positive. These answers included elements such as strong classroom instruction, practice tests, a calm environment, and basic needs being met like access to snacks or breakfast.
Next, we compare these responses with the ELA outcomes. The school with 80% positive feedback showed stronger performance on the test. This shows that when students feel more ready and prepared, that does correlate with how they do.
What We Learned from the Data
From this qualitative analysis, several themes came forward. These are not just school-specific trends but broader reflections relevant across K–12 education in California.
1. Testing Anxiety is Widespread
Before and after the test, students described feelings of worry, uncertainty, and fatigue. Test blocks were described as long, and stamina was a repeated challenge. In some cases, students said the pressure to perform well led them to disengage.
2. Alignment Matters
Across many responses, students signaled a disconnect between what they learned during the school year and what was expected of them on the CAASPP. This was especially true for math. It raised the question: are students being adequately prepared, or are they being surprised?
3. The Power of Student Reflections
Perhaps the most compelling insight came from the reflections themselves. Students were not just responding out of frustration or confusion, they were offering suggestions. Practice tests, teacher check-ins, and consistency in content came up frequently.
These kinds of reflections, gathered systematically, provided schools with clear, actionable insights, rooted in authentic student voices.
What Schools Can Do Next
Based on the findings shared in the webinar, here are a few practical ways schools can respond:
- Layer student feedback into test prep planning.
Use reflections to identify what made students feel confident and what barriers remained. - Check curriculum rigor with fresh eyes.
Especially in math, ensure that assessments students take during the year resemble the CAASPP’s depth and format. - Support the whole student.
Meals, rest, and calm environments came up again and again as key to student readiness.
Key Takeaways
- Student voice provides a critical lens into how assessments are experienced, not just administered.
- Common themes like anxiety, misalignment, and stamina reveal opportunities for support.
- When students are asked and listened to, they offer honest and practical ideas.
Want to Learn More?
Parsec Real helps schools uncover insights already embedded in their students’ experiences. If you want to elevate student voice and align your academic efforts chat with us today.
