Summary of Assessments 2020-2021
Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKids)
State required
Grade level: Kindergarten
WaKIDS provides a snapshot of the school readiness of students as they enter kindergarten.
Fountas and Pinnell (F&P)
District and state required (This tool is not available for use in remote learning environment)
Grade level: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
F&P assessment identifies student’s independent and instructional reading levels.
SPS Interim Assessments
Available to schools
Grade Level: 3-8
Interim assessments support educators to monitor progress towards state standards and adjust instruction.
Measures of Academic Progress
District required (district-wide administration currently suspended); Available to schools.
Grade level: K-8
MAP is a computer-based adaptive assessment. MAP results provide baseline data and to show student growth. This data can also be used by teachers to adapt instruction to student needs.
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) or WA-AIM
State required (TBD. OSPI has applied for a waiver for 2020-21)
Grade level: 3-8, 10th, 11th and 12th (if needed)
Determines students’ progress toward graduation and college, career readiness in English language arts/literacy and math.
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) or WA-AIM
State required (TBD. OSPI has applied for a waiver for 2020-21)
Grade level: 5th, 8th, 11th
The WCAS measures the proficiency that Washington students have achieved based on the Washington State 2013 K-12 Science Learning Standards.
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)
Not mandatory: PSAT is provided to students during the school day free of charge. (Cancelled for 2020-21 due to COVID-19)
Grade level: 10th, 11th
The PSAT helps juniors prepare for the SAT and is used to qualify students for scholarships and advanced learning opportunities.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Not mandatory: SAT is provided to students during the school day free of charge.
Grade level: 11th
The SAT is the most widely used college admission test in the country. The test can be used as a substitute graduation requirement if the student didn’t meet passing scores on other assessments in ELA or math.
English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA-21) or WIDA
State required ELL eligible students only
Grade level: K-12
The ELPA-21 assessment system measures a student’s language proficiency relative to the English Language Proficiency standards. Any student whose primary and/or home language is other than English is required by the state to test. Student progress is assessed every year to until they reach a level of ‘proficient’.