Assessments

The Washington Assessment of Student Learning – commonly called the WASL – measures students’ progress in meeting the state standards in reading, writing, math and science. The WASL does not take the place of a teacher’s daily observations of student learning, classroom assessments or other measures of student progress, but it does provide a consistent target for learning and an objective, reliable and common measurement for all students, schools and districts.

 

The WASL has been used in Washington schools since 1997, when all fourth-graders were required to take the reading, writing and math exams. Tests in 7th and 10th grades were rolled out in subsequent years. No Child Left Behind, a federal act that was passed in 2001, required that all states administer WASL-like tests in grades 3-8 in reading and math. The WASL was augmented to address these new federal requirements. Washington students now take the WASL in reading, writing and math in grades 3-8 and in grade 10. Science is tested in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10.

 

Beginning with the class of 2008, passing the high school reading and writing WASL will be a state graduation requirement. Math and science will be added in 2013. Students will have up to four state-funded opportunities to retake any or all sections of the WASL in which they did not meet standard. The state legislature has also approved a variety of alternatives to the WASL for students who have the same level of skills being measured on the test but for whatever reason may struggle to demonstrate those skills on a paper and pencil test.

 

For more on the WASL, read answers to our frequently asked questions.

 

Washington Alternate Assessment System

For a small number of special education students who cannot participate in the WASL with or without accommodations, the Washington Alternate Assessment System (WAAS) is a more appropriate tool to measure their success. Students who use the WAAS - instead of the high school WASL or the alternative - will earn a Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA).

 

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test, commonly known as the Nation's Report Card, is the yardstick used to measure learning in each state across the country. It measures what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Read more about NAEP and see Washington's results in this blog.