State Required Assessments

State Assessments 2024 Overview

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 practice tests and FAQ resources as well.

Ballard HS SBA & WCAS Testing Windows

English Language Arts (ELA): Grade 10

All Grade 10 Students will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in ELA and must have a district issued Laptop (details below).

• ELA Testing Window: April 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 2024
  • Grade 10 students will take the ELA test in their current LA Class.
• ELA (Gr 11 or 12), Make Up Testing Window: April 29 & 30
  • Any Grade 11 or 12 students who still need to pass the SBA ELA have the opportunity to retake the test. Periods 1-6 (P105)

SBA Math: Grade 10

All Grade 10 Students will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in Math and must have a district issued Laptop (details below).

• Math Testing Window: May 21, 22, 23, 24, 2024
  • Grade 10 students will take the Math test in their current Algebra 2 or Geometry Class.
• Math (Gr 11 or 12), Make Up Testing Window: May 28 & 29
  • Any Grade 11 or 12 students who need to pass the SBA Math have the opportunity to retake the test. Periods 1-6 (P105)

WCAS: Grade 11

All Grade 11 Students will take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) and must have a district issued Laptop (details below).

• WCAS Testing Window: May 20 & 21
  • All Grade 11 students will take the WCAS in the Auxiliary Gym
  • Last Names:
    • A-D: 5/20 (Periods 1-3)
    • E-K: 5/20 (Periods 4-6)
    • L-P: 5/21 (Periods 1-3)
    • Q-Z: 5/21 (Periods 4-6)
• WCAS Make Up/Extra Time: May 30 (P105)

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. Students without a SPS-issued laptop must check one out from Mr. Robert Westervelt in North 110 during office hours before testing days.

• Mondays: 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. & 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. & 2:25 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• Fridays: 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Questions? Contact Eric Ensign; erensign@seattleschools.org or 206-252-1076.

About the Assessments

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