Washington students are tested regularly by the state to assess their
progress as they move through school. State tests include the following,
and may be taken with or without tools, supports, or accommodations*:
* Tools are available to all students and can be used at the student's discretion. Supports are available to English language learners and any student with a need identified by an educator. Accommodations are for students who receive special education services with a documented need noted in an IEP or 504 plan.
Learn more by reading
Guidelines on Tools, Supports, & Accommodations.
If a student's IEP documents the need for an accommodation that
is not addressed within the guidelines, the student's IEP team may have
their school district personnel submit a
Non-Standard Accommodation Request form.
In grades 3-8, students take tests in ELA, math, and science for federal accountability. Student scores on these tests determine a school’s
adequate yearly progress (AYP) status.
Tests Required for Federal Accountability |
Grades |
Subject |
Test |
3-8 |
ELA |
Smarter Balanced or WA-AIM |
Math |
5 & 8 |
Science |
MSP or WA-AIM |
In high school, students take tests in ELA, math, and science for federal accountability. Student scores on these tests determine a school’s
adequate yearly progress (AYP) status.
State tests may be taken with or without
tools, supports, or accommodations. Students take the WA-AIM only if it's documented in their IEP.
Tests Required for Federal Accountability |
Grades |
Subject |
Test |
11 |
ELA |
Smarter Balanced or WA-AIM |
Math |
Science |
WA-AIM |
10 |
Science |
Biology EOC |
The state legislature passes laws that determine
graduation requirements. One of the requirements is that students pass tests, or state-approved alternatives.
Required tests vary by expected year of graduation. A student's
expected year of graduation is four years after he or she enters the 9th
grade. (For example, if a student enters 9th grade in the 2015-16
school year, he or she is in the Class of 2019.)
State tests may be taken with or without tools, supports, or accommodations. Students take the WA-AIM only if it's documented in their IEP.
Tests Required for Graduation |
Class of |
Subject |
Test |
2015 |
ELA |
Choose 1:
- Reading AND Writing HSPE*
- ELA Washington Alternate Assessment System (WAAS) Portfolio
|
Math |
Choose 1:
- Algebra 1/Integrated Math 1 EOC exam
- Geometry/Integrated Math 2 EOC exam
- Math Washington Alternate Assessment System (WAAS) Portfolio
|
2016 |
ELA |
Choose 1:
|
Math |
Choose 1:
|
2017 & 2018 |
ELA |
Choose 1:
|
Math |
Choose 1:
|
Science |
Choose 1:
|
2019 |
ELA |
Choose 1:
|
Math |
Choose 1:
|
Science |
Choose 1:
|
* Reading and Writing HSPEs are available to 12th graders who
have not met their graduation requirements in fall 2015 and spring 2016.
** "Exit exam" scores (for graduation requirements) are separate from what are known as the
"college- and career-ready" scores.
ATTENTION CLASSES OF 2016 THROUGH 2018: If a student meets
or exceeds the college- and career-ready threshold score on the Smarter
Balanced ELA test as a 10th grader, he or she will not have to take
that test in 11th grade.
- OSPI-Developed Assessments (formerly CBAs)
and OSPI-Developed Performance Assessments (formerly CBPAs):
The state develops classroom-based assessments based on the state's learning
standards to help guide day-to-day instruction. State curriculum specialists
create tasks and questions that model good assessments and provide them to local
school districts.
- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP):
NAEP is a national assessment that allows educational achievement to be compared
across states. Federal law requires every state to give the NAEP in reading and
math at grades 4 and 8 every two years. States and school districts that receive
Title I federal funding to aid educationally disadvantaged students in high
poverty areas must participate in these assessments. Other subjects also are
tested.
- Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (WELPA):
WELPA placement test assesses the reading, writing, listening, and speaking
knowledge and skills of students whose families answer "yes" to questions #2 or
#3 on the Home Language Survey. The WELPA placement test is used to determine
student eligibility for English language development (ELD) services.
- English Language Proficiency Assessment for
the 21st Century (ELPA21): ELPA21 is a new assessment that measures the
reading, writing, listening, and speaking knowledge and skills of students whose
families answer "yes" to questions #2 or #3 on the
Home Language Survey. When
fully implemented, it will consist of a "screener" test to identify students who
qualify for English language development (ELD) services, as well as a
"summative" test administered yearly to students who receive ELD services. In
the 2015-16 school year, the ELPA21 summative test will be used to measure the
language skills of students already receiving services, but the state will
continue to use the Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (WELPA)
as the screener test to determine student eligibility for ELD services. The
ELPA21 screener test will be available starting in summer 2016.
- Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Skills (WaKIDS):
This program helps bring families, teachers, and early learning providers
together to support each child's learning and transition into public schools.
The state testing timeline
shows the history of how Washington phased in state testing.