Testing

State and federal laws require students in grades 3 through 8 and Grade 10 to take the SBA in spring.  Students who need a higher score in order to meet their graduation pathway can re-take the test in 11th and 12th grade.  

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 score reports are provided in email format, sent by Shelley Frey.  Initial data is provided after the testing window ends in June, and historical data is provided in the following fall and winter score reports.  If you did not receive a score report, email freys@issaquah.wednet.edu.  

How can I use these scores?

• Talk with your student about their learning
• Review class projects, progress reports, and report cards with your student
• Talk with your student's teacher(s) about your student's learning

What questions can I ask my student's teacher(s) about these scores?

• Does this score reflect your understanding of what my student knows and can do?
• What else have you observed about what my student knows and can do?
• What are my student's strengths and challenges in ELA, Math, and/or Science? 

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. 

SBA results are not pass/fail.  Results are only one indicator of student performance and act as a range of understanding towards grade level proficiency.  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.  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 who live within the Issaquah School District boundaries who are homeschooled, attend a private school, or who attend a public online charter school may take SBA or WCAS within one of our school buildings upon request.  The student may test on the scheduled date(s) or makeup dates only of the building whose boundaries the student lives within.  To request testing, please fill out this form prior to Jan 5th for WIDA testing and March 27th for SBA/WCAS testing.  If testing is requested after the below dates, we may not be able to accommodate due to building test schedules already being finalized.