Smarter Balance is...

• A Better Assessment System

  Using the Digital Library, teachers can access resources to support student learning. Teachers can also use optional and flexible interim tests to check student progress throughout the year. Summative, or end-of-year tests, measure student achievement and growth in English and math in grades 3–8 and high school. Learn about our complete system.

• Connector.

  A Customized Assessment

  Students take a customized test using a computer adaptive format: questions get harder when students answer correctly and easier when they answer incorrectly, allowing students to better demonstrate what they know. Read more about testing technology.

• Connector.

  Designed for All Students

  Additional supports make the assessments accessible to students with disabilities and English language learners. Explore accessibility and accommodations features.

• Connector.

  Relevant to College and Career

  The online format with extended research, writing, and problem solving tasks measure the critical thinking and problem-solving skills students need for success. Learn what makes the assessment useful for life after high school.

• Useful for Teachers

  Our system helps inform instruction and identify where students need more support. A Digital Library of tools—including professional development materials and instructional resources—is available to teachers to use all year to meet students’ individual needs. Go to the Educators page for more information.

OSPI SBA Information here

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. The tests fulfill the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement that students be tested in science once at each level: elementary, middle, and high school.

Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act requires states to assess the English language proficiency of students receiving English language development (ELD) services at school. Washington state uses the WIDA consortium assessments to measure English proficiency for these students. WIDA assessments are based on WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition. Washington State began administering the WIDA ACCESS as the annual assessment in the 2021-22 school year. 

For additional information regarding the WIDA consortium please visit the consortium's website.

For additional information from OSPI, click here.

The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a transition process that helps to ensure a successful start to the K-12 experience and connect the key adults in a child’s life.

For Additional Information, click here.

i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine students’ needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet students exactly where they are and provides data for us to increase their learning gains.

The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit students’ needs. Each item a student sees is individualized based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions. The purpose of this is not to give students a score or grade, but instead to determine how best to support their learning.

i-Ready Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level and needs, so they can learn at a pace that is just right for them. These lessons are fun and interactive, and designed to keep students engaged as they learn. These lessons are not meant to replace a teacher’s classroom instruction, rather they are meant to support teachers in creating targeted lessons based on students’ needs.

For more information, check out our i-Ready page

The CogAT is used in the Screening Process to help identifying Highly Capable Students in Monroe. All students in 2nd and 4th grade are assessed. Students in other grades are assessed upon request.

By measuring students’ learned reasoning and problem-solving abilities in the three areas most linked to success in school, CogAT reveals a valid, broad view of their talents. With this knowledge, educators can make decisions that elevate each student’s academic experience.

CogAT offers insight into cognitive domains not fully measured by other tests.  CogAT measures three separate domains - Verbal, Nonverbal, and Quantitative reasoning - to identify strengths and weaknesses missed by other assessments.