State Assessments
State Required Assessments
State Assessments Overview
All students are required to meet State Standards in English Language Arts and Math in order to earn a diploma from Ballard High School. The most efficient way to demonstrate proficiency is by taking and passing the state exams given to students the spring of their sophomore year.
State assessments are required for federal accountability and also provide a common measure of student progress at the school, district and state levels. Additional information is available on the district Assessments and Testing as well as the district SBA Overview pages. Refer to the district FAQ and Practice Tests resources as well.
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)
- All 10th graders will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts and in Math.
- Any 11th and 12th graders who have not yet passed the exams will have the opportunity to retake the Smarter Balanced Exam in ELA and Math.
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS)
- All 11th graders will take the WCAS this spring.
Questions? Eric Ensign at erensign@seattleschools.org or 206- 252-1076.
BHS State Testing Windows TBD
Important SPS Laptop Requirements
- Students must bring a SPS laptop in order to take the assessments
- Students cannot test on a personal laptop
- Students without a SPS laptop yet must go before or after school or at lunch to pick up a SPS laptop
- SPS laptops will not be available for students on the assessment’s day
- Student must bring their SPS laptops charged AND bring their chargers
- Students that come without a SPS laptop will not be able to take the assessments
- Important SBA ELA: Students will need to bring headphones that work with the SPS laptops for the SBA ELA test. A very limited quantity may be available. All students MUST have and bring a charged SPS laptop and headphones for the ELA portion.
Need to Check Out a Laptop?
Students must have an SPS-issued laptop for testing. Students without a SPS-issued laptop must check one out in North 110 during office hours before testing days.
Laptops: All SPS students are required to use an SPS laptop. We distributed these to students at the beginning of the school year. If students needs support with their laptop or missed laptop distribution, they can go to the Technology Room located at N110. Throughout the year, the hours for Tech Support are:
- Mondays and Fridays: 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m., 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., and 2:25 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Questions? Contact Eric Ensign; erensign@seattleschools.org or 206-252-1076.
About the State Assessments
As of October 8, 2025