Colorado Measures of Academic Success
Colorado has a series of educational standards known as the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) that outline academic objectives for students in every grade across 12 content areas, including math, English language arts, social studies and science. The standards create learning expectations for what students should understand, know and be able to do at each grade level and in each content area.
The end-of-year assessments – Colorado Measures of Academic Success, or CMAS – measure students’ mastery of the standards and the complex thinking and other critical skills students need to be successful in school and in life. The data from assessments are critical in determining if educational goals are being met and if students are on track to graduate prepared for college and careers.
Visit the CoALT page for information about alternate assessments, taken in place of CMAS by students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Administration Details
CMAS Assessment | Tested Grade | Who is required to test? | Testing Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
Mathematics | 3-8 | All | 4/6/26 - 4/24/26 |
English Language Arts (ELA) | 3-8 | All | 4/6/26 - 4/24/26 |
Spanish Language Arts (CSLA) | 3, 4 | Identified Multilingual Learners (MLLs) | 4/6/26 - 4/24/26 |
Science | 5, 8, 11 | All | 4/6/26 - 4/24/26 |
Social Studies | 4, 7 | *Select Schools | 4/6/26 - 4/24/26 |
Students who take CSLA do not also take ELA
Every year CDE selects a 1/3 sampling of schools across the state to administer the Social Studies tests
Please note that the statewide assessment for high school math and literacy achievement is called PSAT/SAT
Resources
A Parent’s Guide to the Colorado Measures of Academic Standards (CMAS)
A Parent’s Guide to Opting Out in the Parent Portal
Families who wish to excuse their student from participation in one or more of the state assessments may do so by filling out the district’s opt-out application in Parent Portal from October to February. If you have more than one child, you will need to fill out the form or write a letter for each child to opt out.
General Assessment Resources
Assessment Purposes and District Policies
Assessment Window Calendar