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State Assessment
OSPI guides districts to meet state and federal requirements for annual state assessments. The intent of state testing is to determine a student’s skills and knowledge based our state learning standards in reading, writing, math, and science. Statewide testing helps ensure all public-school students, no matter where they go to school, receive a quality education.
Each spring, Washington students are tested within the last twelve weeks of the school year. Our schools nest their unique testing schedule within these weeks with most schools testing in April-May. Here's the OSPI State Assessment Calendar; please contact your school to learn their specific testing dates.
State assessments measure English Language Arts (reading and writing) and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and 10, and Science in grades 5, 8 and 11. Washington state school districts are required to test all enrolled students in these specific grade levels and subject areas.
The Washington state assessments are Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts and Mathematics, and Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science. However, students who have severe cognitive disabilities are tested in the same grade levels and subjects with the Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM).
Our district uses multiple points of data to support student learning. Paired with data from our classroom assessments, the resulting state assessment score data provides an additional layer of information as to how we may help our students move forward with their educational goals. Starting Smarter offers parents and students the opportunity to learn how to use state test score reports to better understand your child's strengths.
Students may review sample questions. The Understanding the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment video provides a good overview of the assessment (English, Spanish).
Fair testing is important. Smart glasses and other wearable technologies are prohibited from the exam room. Students who use these devices can take photos and videos of exam questions or even pre-load reference materials to be accessed during the exam. However, electronics used as a medical device as noted on an IEP/504 plan are pre-approved and allowed to be in the exam room while testing; the student and proctor will work out a system where the medical device retains connectivity yet is out of reach of the student. Otherwise, if students bring wearable technology, phones, or other prohibited devices on exam day, students should store them outside the exam room. Proctors monitor for prohibited wearable technology and smart glasses. If a student is observed with prohibited electronic devices during testing or breaks, the student is dismissed from the exam and the student won’t be eligible to retest this year. If their test was submitted, the score will be invalidated by OSPI.
Please visit our information web pages to support understanding of assessment results and learning standards.
The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a process that helps students ensure a successful start to school. WaKIDS provides a statewide snapshot of where children are in their development at the start of their Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) school years. This inventory-of-skills assessment helps inform our teachers as to your child's unique skill set at the beginning of the school year and assists state-level decisions about education policy. Students enrolled in Kindergarten will be assessed once, while students enrolled in the Transition to Kindergarten Program will be assessed again later in the school year.
For more information, please check our Parent Support page for WaKIDS webpages.
Grades 3-8: Each spring, students test their understanding of English language arts and mathematics with the Smarter Balanced Assessment. In grades 5 and 8, students also take the state science exam, Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science. Students with severe cognitive disabilty may instead take the alternate test, Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM).
State assessment is one of the Graduation Pathways used to meet graduation requirements. Washington's universities, colleges and community colleges use the student's course history in conjuction with Smarter Balanced Assessment scores for course-level placement. Students who wish to retry for a higher score may test again each year.
- Students in grade 10 take the Smarter Balanced Assessment for English language arts and math.
- Students in grade 11 take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science.
- Students with severe cognitive disabilty may instead take the alternate test, Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM).
To graduate from high school in Washington, students must earn credits, demonstrate readiness to graduate through one of the pathways, and complete a High School and Beyond Plan. The most convenient way for your child to meet their high school graduation pathway requirement is to score a Level 3 or 4 (or score 2548+/ELA or 2595+/math) on both math and English language arts Smarter Balanced Assessments by the end of their 10th grade year. The results from the 10th grade ELA and math tests are used to inform course-taking for the next two years of high school and is used to fully complete a High School and Beyond Plan. When a 10th grade student demonstrates they have met standard on the test, they have greater course-taking flexibility. When 10th grade students do not meet standard or do not test, the High School and Beyond Plan is updated to further support the student in grades 11 and 12. Meeting standard on the high school test is just one of the graduation pathways.
Want more? READYWA provides information about state learning standards and how state assessments measure students' understanding of those standards. Plan your Path!
Former High School Students seeking a Diploma: Please contact the Counseling Offices of Wenatchee HS or WestSide HS to schedule time to review your transcript. Let us give you a hand. Reach out to our Counseling Staff: Wenatchee High School; WestSide High School.
Running Start Students: Plan to take the state assessment - Reserve your Spot! Please reach out to your school with your contact information.
The Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM) is an alternate state assessment for students with significant cognitive challenges. The WA-AIM assessment measures student knowledge and skills through the use of performance tasks. Schools nest their testing dates within the state's WA-AIM testing windows, which are offered below.
The WA-AIM testing window each year is February-April. This test event measures a student's understanding of English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and 10, and Science in grades 5, 8 and 11, which mirrors SBA and WCAS.
WIDA assessments are used to determine English language levels and student eligibility for English Language Development services. Students with home languages other than English take the WIDA Screener to help determine if specific services will be provided to the student. Students who are served for English Language Development take the annual WIDA test in late winter. Of these students, students with significant cognitive disability will access the WIDA Alternate Access test to better support their unique needs. Local testing dates for both WIDA and WIDA Alternate Assess assessments are nested within dates mandated by OSPI. Our schools will schedule testing dates to best support their students. Learn about WIDA ACCESS score reports here and WIDA Alternate ACCESS score reports here.
Access the OSPI Assessment Resources for Families webpage here.
Try it out! SBA and WCAS, and WIDA offer a hands-on opportunity to learn about the state assesmsents with their practice and training tests.
Home school parents are responsible for their students annually taking a standardized test or an annual assessment of student progress to help ensure the student is making adequate progress (RCW 28A.200.010 and WAC 180-52-070). The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) provides a list of examples of approved standardized achievement tests that home school parents may use and it includes current assessments such as the Smarter Balanced Assessment for ELA and math. Learn more at OSPI's webpage, Home-Based Instruction.
State assessments measure Washington state K-12 Learning Standards for English Language Arts (reading and writing) and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and 10, and Science in grades 5, 8 and 11.
Families who wish to learn more or to potentially participate in spring state assessments may start the process with this online form. This form is not an enrollment form nor does it promise the opportunity for testing; it simply offers parents an opportunity to further explore this avenue to see if it meets your needs and helps our District Assessment Coordinator, Karen Allen, support you.
Key words: home school, homeschool, home-based
This page was updated on April 1, 2026. Please contact Karen Allen with comments.
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.