CMAS Testing by Grade and Subject (Colorado)
Math
Grades 3–8 take a grade-level math assessment.
English Language Arts (ELA)
Grades 3–8 take English language arts assessments.
Science
- Grades 5 and 8 take CMAS science tests.
- Grade 11 may also take a CMAS science assessment as part of state requirements (often combined with other high school assessments).
Social Studies
Grades 4 and 7 are sampled for social studies assessments (not every student in every district—sometimes administered based on sampling plans).
Summary at a Glance
- Math: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- English Language Arts (ELA): Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Science: Grades 5, 8, sometimes 11
- Social Studies: Grades 4, 7 (sampled)
State Testing: Parent Opt-Out Information
Colorado law gives parents the right to excuse their child from one or more CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) state assessments.
Tradeoffs to Consider
- Less information on your child’s learning journey. CMAS scores show how your child is performing against grade-level standards and compared to students across Colorado. Without a score, that external benchmark is not available.
- Possible school-level impact. Federal law requires 95% student participation in state testing. Non-participating students — regardless of reason — may be counted as non-proficient in federal accountability calculations, which can affect school ratings and funding.
- Accommodations may be an option first. Students with IEPs, 504 plans, or Multilingual Learner plans may qualify for testing accommodations such as extended time or small group settings. Contact the school office to ask what may apply to your child before submitting an opt-out.
When Opting Out May Make Sense
The decision is entirely yours as a parent. Families have chosen to opt out for reasons such as:
- Medical or health circumstances — illness, surgery, or a health event during the testing window that would make participation unreasonably stressful or physically difficult.
- Family circumstances — a family crisis, loss, or major life event occurring during the spring testing window.
- Significant testing-related anxiety or distress — particularly for students whose IEP or 504 plan already reflects this concern.
- Personal or educational philosophy — some families have principled concerns about standardized testing.
Your Legal Right
If you choose to opt out, your child:
- Will not receive an unexcused absence
- Cannot be excluded from extracurricular activities or school events related to testing
- Will not face any academic penalties
You may opt out of one subject, several, or all — the form lists each subject separately.
How to Exercise This Right
Complete and return the opt-out form to the school office before the annual spring testing window opens. Contact the school office at (719) 478-2186 if you have questions about timing or the process.
Download the CMAS Parent Opt-Out Form (PDF)
Forms are also available at the school office: 420 South Rush Road, Rush, CO 80833.