State Testing in Washington: Grades 3–8
The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires
yearly testing of students in grades 3–8 and once
in high school in English language arts (ELA) and
math, and in grades 5 and 8 and once in high
school in science. Washington state also requires
students to pass specific tests to be eligible to
graduate from high school.
State Testing Windows
Testing is scheduled within the
windows listed below. Contact
your local school district to find
out which dates your child will
be testing.
State Testing FAQ
Why does my child need to
take state tests?
Most students in grades 3–8 will take the
Smarter Balanced tests in ELA and math, and
the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) in
science. These tests may be taken with or without
tools, supports, or accommodations.
Students with significant cognitive challenges
documented in their Individualized Education
Program (IEP) take alternate assessments in ELA,
math, and science, called the Washington – Access
to Instruction and Measurement (WA-AIM).
State testing is