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Assessment

Assessments & Testing in UPSD

Assessments & Testing in UPSD

 

Assessment Calendar 2025-2026

 

District Assessments in UPSD

 

State Assessments in UPSD

 

World Language Testing in UPSD

 

 

We believe assessments have the power to elevate how we teach and progress.

 

In the University Place School District (UPSD), we believe testing shouldn't just be about a singular defining grade on a paper—it's about understanding and supporting your whole child multiple times a year, over their entire time here K-12th. 

Our Teaching & Learning department intentionally works closely with administrators and teachers multiples times a year to make sure we use data appropriately.  In UPSD, our schools, principals, and teachers receive the same customized, thorough data summaries, pivot tables, decks, and workbooks two times a year.  We are consistent and meticulous in our test data review—processing year after year in the same way, focusing on growth, we guarantee we can improve districtwide on a larger scale.  

 

Looking at the Whole Child

We use a balanced approach to see how students are doing and progressing through their time in UPSD. This means we look at two main areas:

  • Academic Growth: Checking how well your child is learning reading, math, science, and other grade-level subjects.  While classroom formative assessments are used regularly, so are district and state assessment data.  We use aimswebPlus in K-8 (K-1 reading, 2-8 reading and math).  We also use SBA 3-8,10th grade (ELA and math), WCAS 5th,8th,11th grade (Science), WIDA (MLL), and WAAIM 3-8,10th grade (ELA and math). 

  • Social-Emotional Well-Being: Checking in on how students are feeling, adapting, and connecting with others is essential if we want our students to grow.  We use survey data from Panorama, as well as district monitoring surveys for SEL to monitor where areas of need may be in UPSD.

 

Making Sense of the Data

We want to take the guesswork out of test results for teachers and parents. We are dedicated to helping both teachers and parents understand what these measurements actually mean. We provide parents all resources, FAQs, and necessary information on understading scores (for district and state testing) on our website at least three times a year via ParentSquare.  Teaching & Learning staff work with teachers to understand what multiple measures may indicate for our students by grade level throughout the year.  By looking at the facts clearly, we can make smart, personalized decisions to support your our student’s unique learning pathway.

 

Assessments in UPSD are simply tools to help us work together with parents, administrators, and teachers. They show us where your child is shining and where they might need a little extra help to reach their goals---both essential in ensuring we do our part to thrive collectively.

State Testing Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements

  • State testing is required by state law (RCW 28A.230.095) and federal law (Elementary and Secondary Education Act).

    Statewide testing is important because it helps ensure all public school students receive a quality education, no matter where they go to school, because they are measured to equal standards. In UPSD we do intentionally and thoughtfully use multiple measures (including SBA) to improve instructional practices and curriculum.

    Test results are one piece of information about how your student is doing in school. Together with report cards and other information, test results let you know if your student is on track to succeed in higher grades as well as for college and career. For students in grade 10, these results are used by some community colleges in Washington to measure if students are on track for college-level classes.

  • Test refusals affect students, schools, and districts in different ways:

    • Students in grades 3-8: Test results help families know if their student's learning is on track, or if extra help is needed. UPSD does use state test results as one measure to determine a student's eligibility for special programs, like intervention/support.
    • Students in high school: All students, regardless of which graduation pathway they intend to complete, are expected to take the appropriate Smarter Balanced Assessments in ELA and math during 10th grade, and to incorporate their results into their High School and Beyond Plan.
    • Schools and districts: Test refusals penalize schools and districts. Students who do not test are counted among the number of students who do not meet standard. This is reflected in the Accountability Index. Schools and districts that fall below a 95 percent participation rate on state tests jeopardize eligibility for any state or federal awards or recognitions.

  • Meeting standard on the High School SBA in ELA and Math is one of the most straightforward ways a student can meet their required graduation pathway for ELA and/or MATH for their High School and Beyond Plan-- which yes, is a graduation requirement.  When a 10th grade student demonstrates they have met standard on the test, they will also have greater course-taking flexibility.

    All students, regardless of which graduation pathway they intend to complete, are expected to take the appropriate Smarter Balanced Assessments in ELA and math during 10th grade, and to incorporate their results into their High School and Beyond Plan.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Content

  • Smarter Balanced assessments are Washington's statewide summative assessments in English Language Arts and math. Summative assessments determine students' progress toward college and career readiness in English language arts/literacy and math.

  • Educators from Washington and many other states write our ELA and math tests, with the support of nationally recognized content experts. Educators from Washington and other states review final items, as well as the data generated from pilot testing. Test items are also reviewed by a nationally representative bias and sensitivity committee.

  • The online assessment system includes a variety of item types:

    • Selected-response items prompt students to select one or more responses for a set of options.
    • Technology-enhanced items take advantage of computer-based administration to assess a deeper understanding of content and skills than would otherwise be possible with traditional item types.
    • Constructed-response items prompt students to produce a text or numerical response in order to collect evidence about their knowledge or understanding of a given assessment target.
    • Performance tasks measure a student's ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards. Performance tasks are used to better measure capacities such as depth of understanding, research skills, and complex analysis, which cannot be adequately assessed with selected- or constructed-response items.

Scoring & Reporting

  • A student's performance on state tests is reported using scale scores. These scores are used to create four levels representing different levels of understanding of the content being assessed:

    Scale scores

    Level 4—Thorough understanding of/ability to apply skills

    Level 3—Adequate understanding of/ability to apply skills

    Level 2—Partial understanding of/ability to apply skills

    Level 1—Minimal understanding of/ability to apply skills

    Understanding Student Scores provides more information on what your student’s score means.

  • Automated scoring is used for multiple choice and completion items. Short answer and essay responses are scored by professionally trained scorers.

  • Open-ended items are scored by professional scorers trained according to strict protocols. Scorers must then pass a qualifying test before being allowed to score an item or set of items. In addition to the training and qualifying processes, the validity and reliability of scoring are monitored throughout the time of scoring. Monitoring methods include double-scoring, read-behinds by scoring supervisors, and the insertion of pre-scored papers called validity papers used to monitor scorers. For more detailed information on item scoring, see the Technical Reports posted each year.

  • The state has an extensive website for the public to view all elements of state testing at Washington State Report Card.

  • State test results are used to make improvements in teaching and learning. Parents, students, and educators use the results to:

    • Follow student progress.
    • Identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in curriculum and instruction.
    • Fine tune curriculum alignment with the statewide standards.
    • Identify students who may need additional help (intervention)

    Test results are also used for school, district, and student accountability: