Beginning in the 2009-10 school year, two new tests replaced the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).  The Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) is the new state-mandated exam which assesses the academic progress of children in grades 3 through 8.

The High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) measures the proficiency of students in high school and serves as the state's exit exam. Students must pass this assessment or a state-approved alternative in reading and writing in order to be eligible to graduate.  In 2012 the HSPE will be given to students in grades 10 through 12 on March 12-13 (writing), and March 14 (reading). 

Last year, the Math HSPE was replaced by Mathematics End-of-Course Exams (EOC) which will be given the within the last 3 weeks of school.  The End-of-Course (EOC) Math Exams, based on the revised K-12 Mathematics Learning Standards, are available in Algebra 1/Integrated Mathematics 1 and Geometry/Integrated Mathematics 2. These “end-of-course” exams will be given to students in grades 7-12 who are taking those respective classes.   EOC “Make-up” exams in Algebra/Integrated Math 1 and Geometry/Integrated Math 2, will be administered to students who took those courses in previous years, and have not yet passed the Math HSPE or a state-approved alternative.

This spring, the Science HSPE will be replaced by a Biology End-of-Course Exam (EOC).  All students taking biology will participate in the Biology end-of-course exam as well as all 10th grade students who are not in a biology class.  This is because of the No Child Left Behind requirement to assess science in high school.  Students in the class of 2015 and beyond must pass a science exam in order to graduate.  The biology EOC, like the math EOCs, will be administered within the last three weeks of the school year.

Although the WASL has been replaced with the HSPE, the graduation requirements remain the same. Successful completion of the reading and writing assessments (WASL or HSPE in grades 10 through 12) is a statewide graduation requirement. For more information, see the OSPI Web page summarizing the high school testing requirements and find links to a Graduation Toolkit.

2012 MSP and HSPE Schedules

All students are tested, with or without accommodations, on the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) (grades 3 through 8), the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) (grades 10 through 12) or the Washington Alternative Assessment System-Developmentally Appropriate Proficiency Exam (WAAS-DAPE) during the spring.

The following table shows the testing schedule for grades 3 through 12. Selected schools may have a slightly earlier early test window if they have been selected by the state to be statistical sample schools; please check with your schools for specific test administration schedules.

MSP and HSPE Scores

OSPI reports achievement data for individual students, schools, districts, and the state overall. This information helps the Evergreen School District and its individual schools refine instructional practices and focus on curriculum. It also gives parents information about how well their children are doing and where additional help may be needed.

See Evergreen School District MSP and HSPE scores from 2010.

OSPI Links

• Frequently Asked Questions about State Testing
• Measurements of Student Progress (MSP)
• High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE)
• Earning a Diploma: The Class of 2011 and Beyond (pdf)
• Graduation Requirements: Pass State Tests or Approved Alternatives to those Tests
• Graduation Requirements: Class of 2011 Graduation Toolkit
• Spring 2011 Testing Windows
• Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Home page

For more information

For questions or more information, please contact Karen Weintraub, District Assessment Manager, at (360) 604-4015.