Dive into the heart of science assessment. We'll dissect the structure of the California Science Test (CAST) and unravel its crucial role in the California School Dashboard, highlighting the impact on students, schools, and districts. Participants will have the opportunity to survey test and dashboard details, examining performance tasks as powerful assessment tools, and exploring a wealth of resources to navigate the landscape of student understanding. This is the foundational session, paving the way for deeper exploration of the CAST and impactful classroom assessment strategies.