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Assessments Overview
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State Assessments

State Required Assessments

State Assessments Overview

Smarter Balanced and Science Testing Logo. Laptop with hands taking a test online.

All Students are required to meet State Standards in English Language and Math to earn a diploma. The most efficient way to demonstrate proficiency is by taking and passing the state exams given to students in 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.

BHS 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 Assessments

Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) ELA and Math

Smarter Balanced Assessments: ELA and Math

At Ballard HS we will continue to keep updated from the Seattle Public Schools on administering the Smarter Balanced Assessments in ELA and Math to 10 grade students as a Federal Accountability measure and as a pathway to meet the ELA and Math proficiency requirement. Most students will continue to meet these proficiency requirements by passing the state assessments in ELA and Math.

WA Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS)

Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science

The Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) is administered at 5th, 8th, and 11th grade. These tests fulfill the federal (ESSA) requirement that students be tested in science once at each level: elementary, middle, and high school. 

WIDA: Annual Assessments for Multilingual Students

Annual Assessment for Multilingual Students

Each year, students in English learner programs take an English language proficiency test. This test is called the WIDA ACCESS.  

The test measures academic language skills for students in Washington state who are learning English. The test will not affect student grades, but it can help determine whether the student will continue in the English language development program at school. 

As of July 27, 2025