SMARTER BALANCED

SMARTER BALANCED ASSESSMENTS

What is Smarter Balanced?

To help students on the pathway for success after high school, Washington adopted career- and college-ready learning standards, which define what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. In Washington, we measure how students and schools are doing in meeting these standards with the Smarter Balanced assessment. The assessment measures knowledge and skills that are important to students' futures, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing. The assessments are one tool to help students and parents better understand how students are progressing and help teachers better direct additional help or accelerated learning. Taking the Smarter Balanced assessment helps students know if they are on track to be ready for work or college.

Ready Washington is a resource for students, parents, teachers and the community to better understand how Smarter Balanced assessments can be a tool to advance students' education. Keep reading to find a variety of resources to use Smarter Balanced to plan your path.

What Tests Do Washington Students Take?

In spring 2018:

Most students in grades 3-8 and 10 will take the Smarter Balanced tests in English language arts and math. Some 11th graders will also take the Smarter Balanced tests to meet the graduation requirement.
Most students in grades 5, 8, and 10 will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS).
A small percentage of students – those who have significant cognitive challenges – will take the Washington – Access to instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM) tests for English language arts, math, and science.
This is the fourth year students are taking the Smarter Balanced Assessments in Washington.

Top Three Reasons to Take Smarter Balanced Assessments

Know Now if You Are Ready for College or Work
If you score a Level 3 or 4 on the high school Smarter Balanced assessment, you’re on track to be ready for college or career, and can qualify for credit-bearing courses in college and avoid the cost and time of remedial, or high-school level, courses.

Know if you Need Extra Help and
Can Take an Advanced Class
The Smarter Balanced assessment provides a key measure of how you’re doing on your way to college or a career. It also lets teachers and families know how to support you to reach your goals.

Taking the Tests Helps Students,
Teachers and Schools
Smarter Balanced provides educators, schools and families better information on how you and your school stack up against others in the state, nation and world, how you are improving and where you might need extra help.