In Lake Washington School District, information about student learning and the performance of the school district is gathered from a variety of sources, including district and state assessments, and from the classroom teacher. Each piece provides a “snapshot” of how well a child is doing. The more “snapshots” that are gathered, the clearer the picture of performance becomes. A district-wide assessment program is in place, which is used to:

• diagnose student learning on a day–to–day basis
• evaluate programs
• improve instructional decisions
• determine placement and certification
• respond to public accountability

Classroom assessments happen every day
Assessment is a natural part of instruction. Teachers gather information on a daily basis both in formal and informal ways to guide instruction and make decisions about learning.

Early literacy is assessed
DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a test used to assess reading proficiency in kindergarten through 2nd grade. It is given three times during kindergarten and first grade to make sure that no student is falling behind at this critical time.

WASL measures academic achievement against state standard
Washington Assessment of Student Learning performance tests measure how well students are able to apply knowledge and skills in reading, writing, mathematics and science and are administered in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and in high school.

Subjects tested:

• Third grade: Math and Reading
• Fourth grade: Math, Reading and Writing
• Fifth grade: Math, Reading and Science
• Sixth grade: Math and Reading
• Seventh grade: Math, Reading and Writing
• Eighth grade: Math, Reading and Science
• High school: Math, Reading, Writing and Science are administered in 10th grade. Optional testing is available to ninth graders on a test-by-test basis.

The state tests are designed to measure student achievement of a clear and challenging set of standards or essential academic learning requirements. The essential learnings are broad, general goals. In addition, more specific benchmarks spell out what skills and knowledge students in a given grade level should have learned to meet these standards. The standards describe what a student should know and be able do in core subjects. They are high targets for student learning, and will help ensure that students acquire the knowledge and skills they will need to live in a world of constant change and innovation. The state tests do not seek to make comparisons among various student groups. Instead, they are designed to show how each individual student and school is performing relative to a high and fixed level of achievement. The tests require students to apply their knowledge by writing descriptive essays, comparing information from different texts, using math skills to create equations and solve problems, and explaining the steps they took to arrive at an answer.

The high school tests are used to determine if a student has earned a Certificate of Academic Achievement, which is part of the graduation requirements.

WASL determines school improvement status
The WASL tests also fulfill the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. NCLB requires annual assessments in reading and mathematics for students in grades 3-8 and high school. Students also must be tested annually in science in an elementary school grade, a middle school grade and a high school (10-12) grade. This requirement is fulfilled in Washington by testing students in grades 5, 8 and high school. Under NCLB, the state reports on the Annual Yearly Progress of students in schools and districts based on WASL results.

Information from these tests will help teachers and administrators see where instructional programs are working, and where changes may be needed. Each school carefully examines their results on a classroom, grade level and subject area basis to look for patterns that show whether learning is happening effectively or not.

Spring test scores are reported in September
This information can be used to make instructional decisions and evaluate programs. School districts are encouraged to share results openly with parents to create the best learning goals for each student. Score reports are generated on four levels:

• Individual (parent) student report: specific information about individual students.
• Student performance and achievement profiles by class and school: scores and summary information for each class and school
• Group summary of student performance: information about average scores at the school, district and state levels.
• Group summary of achievement profile: information about how many students are below or meet the standard at the school, district and state levels.

The exception to the timing is tenth grade WASL scores. Those scores in reading, writing and math are reported in June. All WASL scores, as well as DIBELS, ACT and SAT scores are reported each year in the Lake Washington School District Test Score Booklet.

There are four WASL performance levels
The assessment reports a student's score in terms of four performance levels for reading and mathematics:

Level 4: Above standard - indicates superior performance

Level 3: Meets standard - a score of 400 indicates the student has met the standard and has exhibited solid academic performance

Level 2: Below standard - indicates partial accomplishment of the knowledge and skills for the standard

Level 1: Below standard - little or no demonstration of the knowledge and skills fundamental for meeting the standard

There are two performance levels for writing and communication: "Meets Standard" or "Does Not Meet Standard." In addition, each student will receive an Achievement Profile, which contains detailed information about the student's performance in each sub-area.

Testing accommodations are available for students with special needs
As with any other aspect of education, students with special needs or disabilities should have an appropriate individual education plan (IEP) developed jointly by parents and school officials. This plan should detail appropriate instructional goals and assessments. Generally, any accommodation acceptable in the normal course of instruction may be used for the state-level tests. This includes additional time, special testing environments, and variable test formats, such as Braille. A complete list of accommodations can be obtained by calling the Commission on Student Learning at (360) 664-3155.

Parents can use WASL information to help students progress.
The tests are designed specifically to see where students need additional help, not just where they excel. If your child’s scores could use improvement, work with your child and your child's teacher to develop a plan for increasing your child's knowledge and skills in the subjects where help is most needed. You cannot get a copy of the actual test since many of the questions will be used on future tests. However, sample test questions are available on the OSPI Web site. You may want to work through some of those questions with your child to learn more about their abilities.

More WASL information for Parents