Assessments
Assessments and Testing
The SPSSeattle Public Schools More Assessment Department collaborates with an array of stakeholdersThose student, families and community groups impacted by proposed policy, program or More to implement and support a balanced assessment framework that includes academic as well as social-emotional measures. We promote the student-centered improvement of teaching that engages, empowers and educates all students with a specific focus on African American children and adolescents; as well as best practices for assessment literacy and data-driven decision making.
Assessments are used in Seattle Public Schools to help educators and families measure how students are meeting academic goals and grade level standards.
District Assessments
District assessments are typically given during the school year to help teachers see progress toward College and Career Readiness Standards in subjects such as math and language arts. Teachers can use the information from these assessments to work collaboratively with their colleagues to plan lessons and provide support for individual students.
In Seattle Public Schools, teachers use different types of formative assessments. The Smarter Balanced AssessmentDetermines students’ progress toward graduation and college, career readiness in English language More (SBASmarter Balanced Assessment More) interims will be available for use. Content and grade level recommendations for these interims align with the 2019-24 Strategic Plan. Data collected from these assessments will help inform classroom instruction and remediation and/or extension activities to meet the needs of all students.
For detailed information on MAP, please see our Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) webpage.
State Assessments
State assessments are required for federal accountability and also provide a common measure of student progress at the school, district, and state levels. Our educators examine the results and use them to help determine which resources and supports are needed to close achievement gaps. For detailed information, please see the pages below:
- Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA)
- Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science
- WIDA
- WA-AIM
- WaKIDS
DIBELS is the universal screener selected by Seattle Public Schools to meet Washington’s Early Screening of Dyslexia Law to elevate strong early literacy development. Universal screeners are proactive in helping teachers identify the needs and strengths of their students. Screeners are an essential component of a high-functioning Multi-Tiered System of Support. The ultimate goal is to support all students in accessing grade level content. For more information on the DIBELS screening window, please contact your school.
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources
For Spring 2024, ELAEnglish language arts is the academic subject of reading and writing. More, math, and science tests will be at grade level. Students in grades 3-8 and 10 are required to take the ELA and math assessments. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are required to take the science assessment. Students in grades 11 or 12 may elect to take ELA and/or math in order to fulfill a graduation pathway.
- SBASmarter Balanced Assessment More English/Language Arts and Math: March 4-June 7, 2024
- Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science: April 8-June 7, 2024
College-Readiness Assessments
12th Grade School Day SATScholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is the most widely used college admission test More: October 11, 2023
11th Grade Digital School Day PSATPreliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) helps juniors prepare for the SAT and More/NSMQT: October 16-31, 2023 test window
Check out our School-day SAT/PSAT webpage for more information about the following:
- Preparing for the SATScholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is the most widely used college admission test More/PSAT and free resources
- How to create a free College Board account to access scores and send reports
- How to request accommodations if needed for students with an IEP or 504 planA legal document that outlines obligated school supports and services needed to More
- Allowed calculators for SATScholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is the most widely used college admission test More and PSATPreliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) helps juniors prepare for the SAT and More
- SATScholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is the most widely used college admission test More supports for English Learners including allowed bilingual dictionaries
Advance Placement (APThe Advanced Placement program allows students to take rigorous college-level courses while More) exams are administered around the district in the spring, though registration takes place in the fall.
Check out our AP exams schedule and registration page for more information about the following: