Skip To Main Content

Search Panel

Schools Menu

Elementary

Middle

High

Testing

For more information about Assessment in the Issaquah School District, visit the District Testing webpage or the Highly Capable Testing webpage.

SMARTER BALANCE ASSESSMENT (SBA) DATES - GRADES 3-5

Smarter Balanced Assessment dates will be added to our website in Spring 2023.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Frequently Asked Questions

State Testing

Washington students are tested regularly by the state to assess their progress as they move through school. The State Test for elementary school students is the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) for English language arts/literacy (ELA/literacy) and math. In addition to the SBA, students in grades 5, 8 and 11 take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS), which assesses the Washington State 2013 K-12 Science Learning Standards.

Elementary District Assessments

Our comprehensive assessment system includes district-wide assessments throughout the elementary years. These assessments were carefully selected to provide valid, reliable and useful information on the achievement of our students.

Uses of these assessments include the following:

  • Informing instruction. Elementary district assessments provide valuable information on the specific skills and learning needs of students, so that their teachers can design instruction to meet the needs of their students.
  • Early identification of learning difficulties. Early identification of literacy and math learning difficulties is critical to supporting and accelerating learning and to preventing early problems from becoming more severe over time.  Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, Washington State requires screening for weaknesses in literacy skill development that may be associated with dyslexia. Learn more about this screening process within the ISD. 
  • School Improvement Planning. Assessment information is used by school leadership teams to direct school improvement efforts and build effective, equitable programs that support learning.

Elementary District Assessments include the following:

i-Ready Reading & Math Assessments

Used in Kindergarten through 5th grade, i-Ready Assessment provides information that empowers teachers with a deeper knowledge of their students’ needs. Based on research into assessment design and backed by extensive validity evidence, i-Ready assessments provide information teachers meaningful, actionable insights into students' skill proficiencies and learning needs to empower differentiating instruction.  

Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment (F&P)

The Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment provides accurate and reliable tools to identify the instructional and independent reading levels of all students and document student progress through one-on-one formative and summative assessments.

WaKIDS

WaKIDS is a state-wide program designed to welcome children and their families to kindergarten and the K-12 system as partners in their child’s education. Beginning in school year 2016-2017 all Issaquah School District elementary schools will participate in the WaKIDS program. WaKIDS is required for schools that receive state funds for full-day kindergarten.