The English Language Arts Criterion-Referenced Tests assess the knowledge and skill of students in grades 2 - 11 in the areas of reading, writing, and listening as outlined in the Utah Core Curriculum. These tests are an integral component of U-PASS (Utah Performance Assessment System for Students) and the federal No Child Left Behind (ESEA) legislation.

Based on the belief that reading is critical to all areas of student success, this series of tests incorporates reading passages from a variety of content areas. Students who have background knowledge from grade level science and social studies concepts, as outlined in the Core Curriculum, will have a greater understanding of the vocabulary and reading material included in these assessments.

The test blueprint outlines the standards and objectives of the Core Curriculum that are assessed in the English Language Arts Criterion-Referenced Tests (CRTs) and the number of items, or questions, assigned to each standard and objective. Not all core concepts can be assessed on a multiple choice test; therefore, the blueprint does not display the entire curriculum for a content area. However, it is important that ALL core concepts be taught, not only those addressed in this assessment.