Testing
SBA/WCAS
This May our students in 3rd-5th grade will be completing the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts and Math assessments (SBA) and our students in 5th grade will complete the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) as well. These assessments are required for Federal and State accountability, and they provide feedback to students, families and teachers about student progress towards grade level standards at each grade. Each year, students in grades 3-8 and 10 take the ELA and Math SBA and students in grades 5, 8 and 11 take the ELA and Math SBA along with the WCAS (Science).
For more information on these assessments families can review online practice tests, sample items and more at SmarterBalanced.org or on the Washington State OSPI State Testing website.
TESTING SCHEDULE (GRADES 3-5)
5th Grade:
May 6: ELA CAT
May 7: ELA PT
May 8: ELA PT Make-Up
May 16: Math CAT
May 17: Math PT
May 24: WCAS (Science)
4th Grade:
May 9: Math CAT
May 10: Math PT
May 20: ELA CAT
May 21: ELA PT
May 22: ELA PT Make-Up
3rd Grade:
May 13: ELA CAT
May 14: ELA PT
May 15: ELA PT Make-Up
May 23: Math CAT
May 24: Math PT
State Testing
Washington students are tested regularly by the state to assess their progress as they move through school. The State Test for elementary school students is the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) for English language arts/literacy (ELA/literacy) and math. In addition to the SBA, students in grades 5, 8 and 11 take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS), which assesses the Washington State 2013 K-12 Science Learning Standards.
District Assessments
Our comprehensive assessment system includes district-wide assessments in Kindergarten through 8th grade. These assessments were carefully selected to provide valid, reliable and useful information on the achievement of our students.
Uses of these assessments include the following:
- Informing instruction. Elementary district assessments provide valuable information on the specific skills and learning needs of students, so that their teachers can design instruction to meet the needs of their students.
- Early identification of learning difficulties. Early identification of literacy and math learning difficulties is critical to supporting and accelerating learning and to preventing early problems from becoming more severe over time. Washington State requires screening for weaknesses in literacy skill development that may be associated with dyslexia. Learn more about this screening process within the ISD.
- School Improvement Planning. Assessment information is used by school leadership teams to direct school improvement efforts and build effective, equitable programs that support learning.
District Assessments include the following:
i-Ready Reading & Math Assessments
Used in Kindergarten through 8th grade, i-Ready Assessment provides information that empowers teachers with a deeper knowledge of their students’ needs. Based on research into assessment design and backed by extensive validity evidence, i-Ready assessments provide information teachers meaningful, actionable insights into students' skill proficiencies and learning needs to empower differentiating instruction.
WaKIDS
WaKIDS is a state-wide program designed to welcome children and their families to kindergarten and the K-12 system as partners in their child’s education. All Issaquah School District elementary schools will participate in the WaKIDS program. WaKIDS is required for schools that receive state funds for full-day kindergarten.