Timelines & Calendar
Contact Information
This page lists the testing windows for all state assessments for the 2021-22 school year. Families and school staff should check their district’s calendars or contact their district’s main office for the specific testing schedules/dates for their school buildings.
Spring 2022 Test Design
In spring 2022, students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are expected to take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) and students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 are expected to take the Smarter Balanced ELA and math assessments.
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS):
The WCAS is the same test design as pre-pandemic, specifically spring 2018 and spring 2019. The test blueprints are posted online on the WCAS Educator Resources webpage in the Test Design & Item Specifications section.
Smarter Balanced ELA and Math:
The spring 2022 Smarter Balanced math and ELA tests will include both Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) and Performance Task (PT) components. The CAT portion for both subject areas has been reduced to about half the length of the CAT from pre-pandemic (spring 2019). The PT, though, remains the same design and length as pre-pandemic, with up to six questions for the math PT, and two parts, including a Full Write, for the ELA PT.The specific test blueprints that will be used are posted to the Smarter Balanced Test Development & Design webpage and are referred to as the “adjusted” blueprints.
Because the spring 2022 tests have been shortened, students will not receive ELA or math claim-level scores, just an overall scale score and a performance level.
Testing Windows
Smarter Balanced Assessments ELA & Math
| Grade(s) | Subjects | Requirement/Availability | Testing Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-8 and 10 | ELA and math | Required for federal and state accountability. |
Online: March 7 – June 3, 2022 Paper/Pencil: April 11 – May 20, 2022* |
| 11 and 12 | ELA and math | Available to students who have not yet passed the ELA and/or math assessment and want to use as a pathway to demonstrating post-secondary career or college readiness or who previously tested and would like to attempt a higher score.** |
Online: March 7 – June 3, 2022 Paper/Pencil: April 11 – May 20, 2022* |
|
* Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper. ** Smarter Balanced assessments are also available to students in the classes of 2019 or earlier to meet graduation requirements. Students in the classes of 2021 and earlier receiving special education services may also have the option of taking the assessments at an Off-Grade Level if they are pursuing a CIA and their IEP team determines that is appropriate. |
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| Smarter Balanced is administered within the last 12 weeks of the school year, but no later than June 3. | |||
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science
|
Grade(s) |
Requirement/Availability |
Testing Window |
|---|---|---|
|
5, 8 and 11 |
Required for federal and state accountability. |
Online: April 11 – June 3, 2022 |
|
* Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper. |
||
Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement
| Grade(s) | Subjects | Requirement/Availability | Testing Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-8 and 10 | ELA and math | The WA-AIM ELA and Math is required for federal and state accountability for eligible students. | Online: January 31 - May 6, 2022 Paper/Pencil: Not available |
| 5, 8, and 11 | Science | The WA-AIM Science is required for federal and state accountability for eligible students. | Online: January 31 - May 6, 2022 Paper/Pencil: Not available |
WIDA Annual
| Grade(s) | Subjects | Requirement/Availability | Testing Window |
|---|---|---|---|
|
K-12 |
Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking |
Required for federal and state accountability for EL students who qualify for the State Transitional Bilingual Program. |
Online: January 31 - March 25, 2022 Paper/Pencil: January 31 - March 25, 2022* |
| * Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper. | |||
WIDA Alternate Annual
| Grade(s) | Subjects | Requirement/Availability | Testing Window |
|---|---|---|---|
|
K-12 |
Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking |
Required for federal and state accountability for EL students who are eligible and qualify for the State Transitional Bilingual Program. |
Paper/Pencil: January 31 - March 25, 2022 |