View entire 2009-10 state testing schedule.
Spring 2010 high school mandated state test days are shown below. For high school students, WASL tests have been replaced by the new High School Proficiency Exams (HSPE). Another new feature is that the Reading, Math and Science tests will now be one-day tests, instead of two-day:
- Tuesday, March 16: READING
- Wednesday, March 17 - WRITING, part 1
- Thursday, March 18 - WRITING, part 2
- Tuesday, April 13 - MATH
- Thursday, April 15 - SCIENCE
Spring 2010 elementary and middle school state testing window: May 3 - June 4
Students in grades 3-8 will take the new Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) exams. The MSP has replaced the WASL. Note that the testing window is later than in previous years (specific dates to be determined by each school).
In March 2009, the law changed slightly concerning state testing graduation requirements for math - view OSPI's press release.
The state's website has information on how tests relate to graduation requirements: Meeting State Standards by Graduation .
Parents may request to view their student's WASL test, by contacting the state's OSPI office at: http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StudentRecordRequest.aspx
Which grade levels participate in state tests?
Students in grades 3 - 8, plus grade 10 are required to test. Students in grades 11 and 12 may test or re-test.
For more information, contact your school counselor or the Bellevue School District's Testing office (425-456-4225).
A state publication, "Your Child's Progress," summarizes grade-level expectations and state testing requirements. In addition to English, translations have been posted on the state's website for Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
An overview of state testing
Certain testing is mandated by the state, and we use the resulting data - along with many other indicators - to gauge our teaching and our students’ progress. From 1997-2008 the state tests carried the WASL name (Washington Assessment of Student Learning). Beginning in 2009, students will take new tests: Measurements of Student Progress for grades 3-8, and High School Proficiency Exams for high school students. Regardless of the state test's name, we continue to focus beyond that level of competency. “Teaching to the test” is short-sighted at best and not a substitute for our evolving vision of a coherent, high-quality, K-12 curriculum. Our goal is to provide – for every student who walks through our doors – a world-class college preparatory education. We expect our graduates to be ready for whatever post-graduation option they choose, and we want them particularly well prepared to step smoothly into the college or university of their choice.
Beginning with the Class of 2008, high schoolers must pass state reading and writing standards before graduation. Legislation passed in May 2007 delayed the inclusion of a math test as a graduation requirement until the class of 2013. However, all high school students must either meet the math standard or must continue to take math coursework. Details may be found in this OSPI document (updated Sept. 2008): "Earning A Diploma: The Class of 2009 and Beyond ." Passing the science standard is to be added to graduation requirements in 2013.
Although high school state testing is "high stakes," a number of provisions are in place that should be kept in mind:
- High school students may re-take subject tests a number of times if they desire. Each year there is a spring and an August testing window.
- Alternatives to meeting standards with test scores are available. These options include using a student's SAT or ACT score; using AP exam scores in certain subjects; and a collection-of-evidence option. For more information, contact your school counselor or call the Testing office at 425-456-4225. (options to passing state tests - available to students after taking high school test once)
- Schools implement individual academic success plans for those needing extra support to meet the standards.
- Sample tests are available on the state’s website: High school test or Grades 3-8.