The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) is Colorado’s standards-based assessment designed to measure the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS). A very small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities may take the Colorado Alternate (CoAlt) assessment based on the Extended Evidence Outcomes of the CAS.
The CMAS and CoAlt assessments are collaboratively developed by the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado educator community, and Colorado’s assessment contractor, Pearson. Assessment results data should be used to keep abreast of individual student, school, and district progress toward attaining higher student achievement levels.
| Content Area* | Grades | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 3 - 8 |
Official Window: April 8 - 26, 2024 Extended Math and ELA/CSLA Window Options**: Begin as early as April 1st, 2024 Extend through May 3rd, 2024 Early High School Science Window Option: April 1 - 19, 2024 |
| English Language Arts (including CSLA) | 3 - 8 | |
| Science | 5, 8, and 11 |
* CoAlt math and ELA assessments are administered through Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Kite Educator Portal. To the extent possible, assess students taking the alternate assessment in a content area for which they are participating in a general education class at the same time as their general education peers to avoid missed instruction. Schools may also ensure students taking the alternate assessment do not miss instruction from their general education class(es) through other means.
** Districts needing more time to complete online math and ELA testing due to limited device numbers (i.e., the number of computers available will require multiple groups for each test unit) may expand the math and ELA/CSLA test window and begin testing those content areas earlier and end later for both CMAS and CoAlt. The extended window is ONLY for online math and ELA (including CSLA and other paper accommodated forms) and ONLY districts with limited device capacity are eligible to participate in the extended window.
Districts must inform CDE by December 15, 2023 if an extended math and ELA and/or early grade 11 science window will be used (notification provided to CDE through the District Testing Information and Format Selections Form distributed to official DACs upon completion of the Spring 2024 CMAS Administration Training for DACs).
PearsonAccessnext
PearsonAccessnext serves as the entry point to the assessment management system used by schools and districts participating in CMAS (all content areas) and CoAlt (science).
Technology Setup
Prepare your system for computer-based assessments. Access technical guidelines, user guides, and TestNav.
Manuals & Training
Manuals are used to assist in planning, administering, and completing the assessments; they contain administration procedures, policies, and scripts.
Training Resources are available and can be used to supplement information found in the Procedures Manual and the Test Administrator Manuals.
Practice Resources
Access computer and paper based practice resources, scoring guides, and rubrics.
Data Resources
Access data file layouts, report interpretation guides, and Spanish report shells.
Parents & Guardians
Access resources for parents and guardians including information on student performance reports.