📚 Required State Testing – What Parents Need to Know

Washington State requires several assessments to support student learning and meet state and federal guidelines. Here's a quick overview of what your child may take during the school year:

🧒 Kindergarten

• WaKIDS (Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills)
  Helps teachers and families understand each kindergartener’s strengths and needs as they begin school.

📝 Grades 3–8

• Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA)
  Tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math given in Spring (usually after Spring Break).

🔬 Grade 5

• Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS)
  A science test required in 5th grade, also given in Spring.

🧠 Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

• WA-AIM (Washington Access to Instruction and Measurement)
  Alternate tests in ELA, Math, and Science for students in grades 3–5 with an IEP.

🌍 Multilingual Learners (K–12) – WIDA

• WIDA Screener
  Given when a student first enters school to see if they qualify for English language support.

• WIDA ACCESS
  Annual test for students receiving English language development services to track progress.

• WIDA Alternate ACCESS
  For multilingual students with significant cognitive disabilities receiving English language services.

• 👉 [WIDA Parent Info – Click for Translations]

English | Español (Spanish) | Русский (Russian) | Українська (Ukrainian)

🧑‍🏫 Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs)

• OSPI-Developed Assessments
  Local assessments in Arts, Health & PE, Social Studies, and Technology that support classroom learning.

📖 K–2 Reading

• Dyslexia Screening
  All students in grades K–2 are screened each year using DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) to identify early reading challenges and provide support if needed.
  ➡️ Dyslexia Fact Sheet | More Info at OSPI