Assessment/Testing
Measuring student progress and achievement
Student assessment in the Kennewick School District provides clear, meaningful and balanced information about student learning. Assessment serves the needs of students, teachers, parents, administrators and the community by:
- Showing student progress toward meeting Washington State K-12 Learning Standards.
- Guiding district and classroom improvement efforts.
- Clarifying what students are expected to know and be able to do.
District Assessments
The Measurements of Academic Progress (MAP) test is used by the district to measure learning in reading and mathematics and guide classroom instruction. All students in grades 2-9 are tested in the fall and again in the spring to measure growth. At some schools, students in kindergarten and first grade also are tested.
State Assessments
State assessments are used to show families that their children are progressing toward college and career readiness and that the district's curriculum is effectively teaching the state's learning standards. State testing is required by state and federal law and is a graduation pathway.
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)
The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) is the state assessment in math and English language arts. Students in grades 3-8 and 10 take the SBA in math and English language arts. Most high school juniors also take the SBA in math. Tests are usually taken between mid-March and early June. Students are not timed, and the test is taken online.
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS)
The Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) measures the level of proficiency that Washington students have achieved based on the Washington State 2013 K-12 Science Learning Standards, which are the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). All students are assessed on their knowledge of the standards through the WCAS in grades 5, 8 and 11.
Testing of English language learners
The WIDA Screener and WIDA Access are used to determine eligibility for English language development services and measure a child's English language knowledge and skills.
Testing of kindergartners
The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) assessment is a process for welcoming children and their families to kindergarten, assessing each child's strengths, discussing the characteristics of children’s development and learning what will enable them to be successful in school.
Testing for students receiving special education services
Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams determine how each student in special education participates in state testing.
Learn more about testing requirements for students receiving special education services (OSPI).