Testing

State and federal laws require students in grades 3 through 8 and high school to take the SBA in spring.  

In the spring of a typical school year, all Washington public school students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 take state tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and math, and grades 5, 8, and 11 in science. Due to disruptions in education caused by COVID-19, state Superintendent Reykdal postponed spring 2021 state testing until fall 2021. 

During the fall of 2021 students in grades 4–9 and 11 took the Smarter Balanced or the Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM) English language arts (ELA) and math tests. Students in grades 6, 9, and 12 took the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science or WA-AIM science. These assessment results fulfill state and federal requirements to understand how districts and the state are doing in meeting all students’ learning needs.

The fall 2021 assessments were a shortened version of the test students typically take in the spring. Students who tested in the fall of 2021 took the assessment for their prior grade level. For example, a 4th-grade student for the 21/22 school year, took the 3rd-grade level test during the fall of 2021.

The ELA and Math tests have 2 parts: a computer adaptive test (CAT) and a performance task (PT). 

In addition to multiple-choice questions, Smarter Balanced assessments include extended response, technology enhanced items, and performance tasks.  These demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.  Performance tasks challenge students to respond to complex real-world problems and include collections of questions and activities connected to a single theme or scenario.  The performance tasks measure depth of understanding, writing and research skills, and complex analysis.  These tasks are computer-based.

SBA uses computer adaptive testing (CAT). This approach provides more accurate scores for all students.

1.  All tests, including state assessments, provide information about student learning that help us (teachers and parents) instruct students better and help them succeed.

• The purpose of a test is for the student to show what they have learned. Tests help students, parents, and teachers. The information from state assessment results helps teachers focus instruction on subject areas in which the student needs more time to understand and master the content.
• Test results are important indicators of academic progress. Tests help educators design specialized instruction, set student learning goals, and monitor progress. Test results help teachers (and parents) address student learning needs early so students will be successful.

2.  State assessments can provide evidence that students are learning effectively and mastering common core standards.

• Student performance data helps school administrators identify instructional strengths and weaknesses and make quality improvements to instruction that will benefit students. 
• State assessment data is the primary “measurement” of student learning recognized and used by state educators and legislative officials to make decisions concerning public education. State assessment data on student performance is an important indicator of school success.

Test scores are not used in determining the child’s grade for the report card and are not included on a student’s transcript.

SBA scores are provided in Test Scores in Family access using a web browser (not the phone app).

Once score reports are available from the state they will be posted on Family Access under the “Portfolio” link on the left side of the screen. The titles will specify the test and when it was taken. Click on the hyperlinked name for the report. Either download and save the .pdf or print the score report to keep for your records. . 

Instructions to find SBA results in Family Access

Login to Family Access

If you have not logged in before or do not remember your username or password, click the Forgot Your Login/Password link. If you continue to have problems with your login reach out to your student’s school.

Click on Test Scores on the menu on the left, select the test by date the test was taken and name (STA7 = 7th grade test) and click on "Show Scores".

Once state test reports are provided by the state:

Once you are logged in, click on the Portfolio tab on the left side of the screen. This is the same place that you find your student’s report cards.

Any attachment with the type of Test Scores will be a score report for your student. The titles will specify the test and when it was taken. Click on the hyperlinked name to open a pdf of the report.

This Individual Test Report includes details about your child’s performance on the test. The “what these results mean” and “next steps” sections help parents and schools understand the child’s performance on the test and guide their students’ learning. The report provides information on the strengths and weaknesses of your child in English language arts and mathematics. 

Teachers and the school will work with the students based on the results to determine areas to better support student learning.

Students will not “get in trouble” if they do not meet standards. Do not be concerned about possible consequences of poor performance. Your student only has to do the best they can on testing day. While a student should strive to do their personal best on any test, know that there are no negative consequences for scores lower than standard. Learning is a process. Help your student set personal goals and work with your student and their teacher to achieve those goals.

Students must pass the SBA ELA and SBA Math, or state approved alternatives to be eligible to graduate.  If your child is not successful on the SBA, talk with your high school counselor about state approved alternatives to meet this assessment graduation requirement.

Additional high school graduation requirement information can be found on OSPI's Graduation Pathways Toolkit webpage.

Students are not expected to study for the state assessments. Curriculum in schools, aligned to the Common Core State Standards, provide students with the foundational knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving skills assessed on the Smarter Balanced Assessments.

Students can become more familiar with the test by taking practice tests and reviewing sample test questions.

To help familiarize your child with the tests, we encourage all families to set aside some time to help your student practice some test sample items. Please use the following link to access the Practice and Training tests for ELA, Math and Science (WCAS).

Click on the icon for Practice & Training Tests, sign in as a Guest, and select your child’s grade level when prompted. While we have not had any issues with the Google Chrome browser, other web browsers are not compatible with the practice tests.

• The Smarter Balanced Assessments include four different tests that have as many as twelve-different types of “test items” or questions to which students must respond. For students and families who would like further information to become more familiar with the SBA, we encourage you to check out the SBA Sample Items on the Smarter Balanced site. 
• The Sample Items page includes hundreds of SBA Sample Items organized by grade, subject area, claims and targets. We encourage you to review this resource, along with your student, to see if it is helpful in preparing for the SBA.

For more information about the Smarter Balanced tests, visit the state testing site. 

To try out an online Smarter Balanced practice test or a WCAS training test, visit the state SBA Practice and Training Site.