2023 Spring Testing Information

District gears up for annual Smarter Balanced state testing

This April and May Walla Walla Public Schools students in grades 3-8 and 10 are required by the state to take the Smarter Balanced (SBA), or the Washington Access to Instruction and Measurement (WA-AIM) tests in math and English Language Arts (ELA). Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS).

These assessments provide accurate measures of achievement and growth toward college and career readiness benchmarks while challenging students to think critically and solve real-world problems. The SBA in math and ELA are a graduation pathway requirement. Testing gives educators and districts crucial information about how well the district is serving our students.

“In order to achieve the best outcomes for our students, teachers have been using assessment practice tools to ensure students are familiar with the format and content of the state assessment and thus, demonstrate their knowledge and skills,” said District Assessment Coordinator Schumacher. “These state assessments are like academic checkups and help our teachers and parents see how on-track students are, compared to where they need to be, in regard to grade level standards.”

Schumacher says the district also realizes it is important to protect time used for learning in the classroom, thus steps have been taken to minimize the impact on the regular school day.

“In order to minimize the amount of class time lost to testing, students at all grade levels will have a week to complete their ELA assessments and another week to complete their Math assessments,” said Schumacher.
“During these testing weeks, students will still receive instruction in other subjects and participate in specialists’ classes and electives.”

It’s important to make sure students are in attendance during these two testing weeks, so they can get back to their typical learning schedule as soon as possible. Anyone who is absent during their school’s testing day, will need to make it up during the state-established testing window.

For more information on assessments please visit our district website
https://www.wwps.org/departments/curriculum/assessment

Spring 2023 State Testing Timeline:
Elementary Schools:
• Science (WCAS): April 24-28
• Math (SBA) and ELA (SBA): May 1-May 19 (including make-ups)

Please check with your student’s school for exact testing days and test order.

Garrison and Pioneer Middle Schools:
• Science (WCAS): April 24-28
• Math (SBA): May 1-May 5
• ELA (SBA): May 8-11

Please check with your student’s school for exact testing days.

Lincoln High School
• Testing over all subjects is May 8-11.

Opportunity:
• Science (WCAS): April 25
• ELA (SBA): May 16 and 17
• Math (SBA): May 18 and 19

Walla Walla High School:
• Science (WCAS): April 25
• Math (SBA): May 15 and 16
• ELA (SBA): May 22 and 23

Walla Walla Online
• Science (WCAS): April 25 and 26
• Elementary and Middle School SBA: May 8 and 9
• High School SBA: May 18-19

Reminders for Testing Day
• Get adequate sleep the night before testing
• Eat a nutritious breakfast the morning of testing
• Come to school with a charged Chromebook (Middle School and High School)
• Earbuds are provided by the district, but students can use their own wired headphones (wireless headphones will not work)