Assessments & Tests
Assessments & Tests
We use several methods to monitor students’ progress. Teachers observe how students perform in the classroom, and assessments are administered. Assessments range from quick skill checks that take only a few minutes to more comprehensive state tests that may take several hours. Each tool helps us understand your child’s learning and ensure they receive the support they need to succeed.
No single assessment can show the full picture of your child’s progress. Each assessment provides insight into academic, behavioral, and social-emotional skills. When combined, these results help you and your child’s teacher work together to support your student’s academic achievement.
Resources
Please use the resources below to learn more about the assessments and ways to use the results to support your student:
- Information from the state superintendent about state assessments.
- Try out an online Smarter Balanced practice test or WCAS training test
- Benchmark and Progress monitoring through Star Testing.
Assessments Given to CK Students
-
Acadience assessments are brief literacy assessments for elementary students. Each assessment takes about one minute and measures foundational reading skills. Results help teachers monitor reading development and growth over time.
-
The Naglieri assessment is a screening tool used to identify students who may be eligible for Highly Capable services. More information about the Highly Capable Program is available on the district website.
-
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) measures student achievement nationwide in subjects such as reading, mathematics, and science.
Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), NAEP is administered every two years in grades 4 and 8. A representative sample of students is selected; not all students participate.
-
Renaissance STAR assessments are computer-adaptive tests given three times per year in reading and mathematics for students in grades 1–9. Results help teachers monitor progress and plan instruction. Assessments are completed in the classroom and typically take about 20 minutes.
-
Each spring, students in grades 3–8 and 10 take the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) in English Language Arts and mathematics. These assessments measure progress toward Washington State learning standards.
Some schools also use interim SBA assessments in the fall or winter. These low-stress practice assessments help teachers identify areas where students may need additional support. Results are available to families through PowerSchool Parent Access.
What students can expect:
Students take the SBA on district-issued Chromebooks. Questions focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world tasks. The assessment is computer-adaptive, meaning questions adjust based on student responses.Understanding scores:
Scores are reported in levels 1–4.- Levels 3–4: On track with grade-level expectations
- Level 2: Foundational grade-level skills
- Level 1: Below grade-level expectations
-
Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment (WCAS) during the SBA testing window. This assessment measures science learning based on Washington State K-12 Science Learning Standards.
-
Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a whole-child assessment for Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten students. Teachers observe six areas of development: social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, literacy, and mathematics.
-
This assessment is given to all students in grades K–12 who qualify for English language development services. It determines which students remain eligible to continue receiving English language development services.