th
BENCHMARK (test category w/basic topic breakdown
Earth’s Energy
Solar Energy
Convection
Climate
Atmosphere
Solid Earth
Dynamic Earth Processes (plate tectonics and the Earth’s surface, geology
Biogeochemical cycles (carbon cycle, photo-synthesis, nitrogen cycle, matter movement and energy sources
California Geology
5
5
No. of
Questions
18
5
8
5
5
19
9
Chapters that Cover the
Topic
2, 7, 15, 22,
20, 21, 22
21, 24
22
6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19
2, 7, 11, 15, 19, 20, 23,
25, Appendix C2-27
3,5, 12, 25, Appendix
C2-27
Astronomy/Cosmology
(Earth’s place in t he Universe)
Planetary Exploration of Solar
System
Changes in Stars
Investigation/Experimentation
7
5
12
6
26, 27, 28, 29, 30
30
1, 5

th
BENCHMARK (test category w/basic topic breakdown
Cell Biology
Fund. Processes inc. chemical reactions
Cells, i.e., prokaryotic, eukaryotic, cell parts (Golgi)
Mitochondria, chloroplasts
No. of
Questions
9
3
3
Macromolecules
Genetics
Mutation/sexual reproduction
And variation concepts
Development from zygotes, phenotypes, genotypes
2
1
19
7
3
Genes and DNA sequence
Amino acids and proteins
5
Exogenous DNA altering cell genes 4
Ecology 7
Biodiversity
Changing Ecosystem
Water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles
Producers/decomposers
Food webs
Evolution
Allele effect in gene pools (natural
9
4 selection, mutation, heterozygotes, variation
Genetic changes occur constantly in the changing environment
Physiology
Human body maintains homeostasis despite outward environment, also body systems, i.e. nervous and endocrine
5
10
6
Skin, vaccinations, antibodies and the immune system, bacteria v.
4 virus
Investigation/Experimentation 6
Using appropriate tools, analyze results, using logic for evidence, interpreting maps and graphics
Embedded throughout
31
Chapters that Cover the Topic
3
3, 5
3, 4
2
4, 6, 7
5, 8
6, 7, 8, 10, 11
4, 5, 7, 8, 9
2, 7
8, 9
1, 10, 11, 12, 14
10, 11, 14
13
13
13
1, 8, 10, 11
1, 8, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14
28, 29

th
th
BENCHMARK (test category w/basic topic breakdown
Foundations of American
Political and Social Thought
Analyze significant events around the founding of the nation’s philosophy and
Dec. of Independence
Analysis of religion’s role from founding to now
Industrialization and the US Role as a World Power
Analyze relationship between the rise of industry, rural to urban migration, and immigration from Southern/Eastern
Europe
5
5
7
Questions
10
No. of
13
Trace the rise of the US to a world power in the 20 th
c.
U.S. Between World Wars
Analyze development of the 1920’s
6
Analyze the Great Depression and New
Deal
WWII and Foreign Affairs
Analyze America’s part in WWII
Analyze economic booms and social transformation
5
7
6
Analyze US foreign policy since WWI 6
Post WWII Domestic Issues
5
Analyze development of federal, civil rights, and voting rights
5
Analyze major social problems, domestic policy in US Society
Historical Analysis
Chronological/Spatial Thinking
3
12
12
13
15
Embedded throughout
Historical research, evidence, point of view—interpretation of such
Embedded in test
Chapters that
Cover the Topic
2, pgs 82 -100
2, pgs 82 -100
6, 7, 8, 11
9, 10, 11
12, 13
14, 15
16
17, 23, 24
17, 18
20, 21, 25
18, 19, 20, 21,
22 23, 26

th
BENCHMARK (test category w/basic topic breakdown
Industrial Expansion and
Imperialism
No. of
Questions
10
Chapters that
Cover the Topic
Analyze effects of Industrial 7 9, 10, 11, 12
Revolution (US,
Japan, England, France, Germany)
Analyze global change in the era of
New Imperialism
Causes/Effects of WWI
Cause/Course of WWI
3
7
14
11, 12
13, 14
7 14 Analyze effects of WWI
Cause/Effects of WWII
Analyze the rise of totalitarianism post WWI
Analyze the cause and consequences of WWII
International Developments in
Post WWII
Analyze international developments in post WWII
Analyze nation building in the contemporary world
6
7
8
1
13
10
14
15, 16
17, 18, 19
19, Epilogue
Analyze integration into the world economy
Modern Political Thought
Relate moral/ethical principles of
Ancient Greek/ Roman / Judaism/
Christianity to dev. of Western political thought
Compare/contrast Glorious
Revolution/American
Revolution/French Revolution and effects worldwide political thought
Analytical Skills
1
5
8
13
15
20, Epilogue
Prologue, 1, 3
Prologue, 6, 7
Epilogue
Throughout book
Chronological/spatial thinking through compare/contrast, past with present
Historical research, evidence, point of view—interpretation of such
Embedded in test
Embedded in test

(the blueprints show the same information being tested)
BENCHMARK (test category w/basic topic breakdown
Word Analysis
Vocab. Identification—literal and figurative
Vocab. denotative and connective
Mythology and word origin
Comprehension
Workplace
Bibliography
Generate relevant questions
Paraphrase
Follow technical directions
Expository—follow logic of documents and critique
Credibility of author’s argument
Literary Response and Analysis
Structural features of literature
Compare/contrast themes/topic
Analyze character interactions
Analyze character traits
Compare works with a universal theme
Analyze time/sequence use
Understand use of literary devices
Literary criticism, i.e., style, historical, theme
Written and oral conventions
Grammar/mechanics (clauses, punctuation, construction, proper usage
Manuscript form conventions, formatting, citations
Writing Strategies Essay writing:
Organization and focus
Research and technology
Evaluation and revision
6
8
6
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
4
4
2
2
2
2
5
2
No. of
Questions
8
1
18
16
13
9
4
20

BENCHMARK (test category w/basic topic breakdown
Word Analysis and Vocabulary Development
Etymology of terms for political science and history
Greek, Latin, Anglo prefixes and affixes
Meaning of analogies
Comprehension
4
Analyze rhetorical documents
Clarify meaning affected by organization, etc.
Clarify facts within workplace
Assertions, i.e., author comment’s
Analyze author’s philosophy
4
3
2
2
2
Expository critique of arguments (validity and power of) 6
Literary Response and Analysis
Structures/features/characteristics of genres 3
Narrative analysis including:
Theme, style, imagery, etc.
Development of American literature
No. of
Questions
8
2
2
4
1
1
19
17
Contrasting periods
Evaluate influence of an era
Archetypes used through the ages
Literary criticism including:
Clarity of political assumptions
Analysis of philosophical arguments
Written/ Oral English Conventions
Grammar, diction, structure
1
1
3
3
7
2
9
Legible, accurate work
Writing Strategies
Organization and focus
Research/technology (organization/recording of info)
Evaluation and revision
16
1
4
22

(note the blueprints show 7 th grade benchmarks—none were available for 9 th or higher)
BENCHMARK (test category w/basic topic breakdown
Number Sense
Rational Numbers
Scientific Notation
No. of
Questions
24
14
+ - x and division
Converting decimals & %
Converting decimals to fractions
Discounts/interest
Increase/decrease of %
1
4
4
2
2
1
Exponents
Includes + - fractions to find common denominator, exponents
4
10
4 mult/div simple rational numbers, inverse relationships of square root absolute value
Algebra and Functions
Terminology, expressions, equations, inequalities, and graphs
Integer powers/simple roots
Order of operations
Graphing linear/non-linear functions
Solve simple linear equations
Measurement & Geometry
Using appropriate units of measurement and conversions
Perimeter, area, volume computation and understanding relationship of scale of shape’s effect
Pythagorean Theorem
Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probabilitie s
Range, mean, median, mode
Statistical data
Probabilities
Knowledge of data display forms
Computing data for quartiles
2
9
1
1
3
2
2
2
3
4
6
4
4
4
21
11
9