The new Measurements of Student Progress ("MSP") for grades 3-8 were launched spring of 2010.  Single sessions in reading, math and science are administered over one day, compared to two sessions per content area administered over two days through spring 2009.  Writing - administered to 4th and 7th graders - continues to be administered in two sessions over two days. 

At the high school level, the High School Proficiency Exams ("HSPE") for grade 10 and above is now administered in single session tests in reading, math and science, compared to two sessions per content area up through spring 2009. Again, writing is administered in two sessions over two days. 

The MSP, HSPE and the Washington Alternate Assessment System (WAAS), are not the only measures of student progress, knowledge or skill - but they are important ones.  All three tests measure student proficiency in core skills and provide a common measuring stick for the performance of students, schools and the district.

Replacing the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) with the HSPE, however, does not eliminate the state high school graduation requirements - which among other requirements - ask that high school students pass the reading and writing state exams and to either (a) pass the math exam or (b) earn two credits of math after 10th grade.   Students can also meet the assessment requirement by passing other state-approved alternatives.  (11th and 12th graders who have previously passed a high school WASL in any content area do not have to pass the new HSPE in that content area.)  Alternatives include the following:

• For reading, writing:  Students are expected to make standard on the 10th grade WASL/HSPE in reading and writing or a state-approved alternative assessment such as the SAT, ACT or AP exam after attempting the reading or writing WASL/HSPE once at the high school level;


• COE for reading and writing:  Another alternative assessment is the Collection of Evidence ("COE"), which is a specific body of work samples gathered and organized under the supervision of a teacher, and submitted to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for scoring twice annually.  The COE option will be available for 11th and 12th graders who have not previously passed the reading or writing state tests. The math and science COE will become an option for the graduating class of 2013 for submission during their 11th and 12th grade years (2011-2012 & 2012-2013).


• CAA/CIA for reading, writing and math:  It is still possible for a high school student who passes all three state assessments - reading, writing and math - to earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA ) or a Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA - for students receiving special services).   Students may also earn the certificate by meeting the standard on the state-approved alternative assessments named in the first bullet above, but must have attempted the high school WASL/HSPE in each of the content areas at least once.


• Alternative Assessments for students receiving special services: alternative assessments after attempting the 10th grade assessments are the Developmentally Appropriate Proficiency Exam ("DAPE") and the HSPE-Basic.  While the HSPE-Basic allows students to make standard on the 10th grade assessment at a lower (Level 2) score, the DAPE allows students to make standard on the elementary or middle school assessment, if one of those two levels is a more appropriate measure of what they know and can do.


• Additional Alternatives for small numbers of special education students:  the Washington Alternate Assessment System - Portfolio ("WAAS-Port") will continue to measure how well they master state learning requirements in reading, writing, mathematics and science in grades 3-10.  In some cases, the state will approve a Locally Determined Assessment ("LDA") for students.


• End-of-Course (EOC) exams in Algebra 1/Integrated 1 and Geometry/Integrated II taking the place of the math HSPE: Beginning in May/June 2011, End-of-Course (EOC) exams in Algebra 1/Integrated 1and Geometry/Integrated II will be administered.  These exams will be aligned to the recently revised high school math standards.  Students in first or second-year math will take the appropriate EOC.  The EOC exams will take the place of the math HSPE beginning this year.  While 10th graders will need to pass both math EOC exams to graduate, 11th and 12th graders who have not passed the math HSPE will meet the math requirement for graduation by passing just one of the two EOC exams this spring.  More information can be found at www.k12.wa.us/Mathematics

The graduating classes of 2011 and 2012 may earn a high school diploma without a CAA or CIA if they meet the assessment requirement in reading and writing and continue to earn mathematics credits (one per year) each year until graduation.  (To receive a diploma, they must also meet three other requirements: completion of 22.5 credits, a culminating senior project, and a High School and Beyond Plan.) 

While State Superintendent of Public Education, Randy Dorn, is working to extend the timeline, at the present, and beginning with the graduating class of 2013 - this year's 10th graders - passing the math as well as the science HSPE will be added to the assessment graduation requirement.  Among the credits earned, 3 math credits will be required as well. 

Students still have five opportunities in high school to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and math on state standards and receive a CAA or a CIA.  The tests are given every spring with re-testing available in August for students in 10th through 12th grades.  For high school students eligible for special services, re-testing is available the following November.  For more graduation information, please click here OR go to the OSPI website, click on the "Helpful Links" tab, the "Graduation Requirements."  Also at the OSPI site is a "Family" tab under which you will find some helpful parent resources and handouts.

The preliminary results of the spring tests are available in June for all high school students who participated in the spring testing, prior to graduation and in time to register for retakes in August, if necessary.  District and school reports are available in August and final individual student scores for grades 3 through 12 are available in late September-early October.