REDMOND HIGH SCHOOL STATE TESTING INFORMATION SPRING 2016 May 31 st to June 3 rd

State Assessments ■Washington public high school students take the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) for English and Math. ■The class of 2017 and beyond will also take the Biology End of Course Exam (EOC). ■The state expects schools to have a 95% participation rate on all assessments. ■This year’s testing is not straight forward due to the transition from the HSPE and EOC to the Smarter Balanced Assessment. RHS is committed to ensuring the information is available to everyone and that all questions are answered.

Why State Assessments are valuable to students and teachers? ■It helps students know if they are prepared for college or work. – A score of 3 or 4 on the SBA indicates students are prepared for college or career. ■It helps students know if they are prepared for advanced classes or if they need extra support. –SBA provides a key measure of how students are doing and how teachers and families can help them reach their goals ■Results help students, teachers and schools. –SBA provides information to inform educators, students and families on how RHS stacks up against others in the state, nation and world

Class of 2016 ■Current seniors have met their graduation requirements by taking the HSPE (former assessment) for reading and writing, and the EOC for math. ■If a current senior hasn’t met standards in reading, writing, math or biology they may be eligible to take the SBA. These students have been contacted directly. ■On May 31, June 1, 2 and 3, seniors will have a two and a half hour late start with school beginning at 10:00.

Class of 2017 ■Current juniors must meet standard with a level 3 or 4 on the SBA ELA. Most current juniors sat for the SBA ELA last year. ■Only current juniors who did not achieve a level 3 or 4 on the SBA ELA last spring will take the test this year. ■Current juniors are expected to take the SBA math test this year. ■Many current juniors have met their math graduation requirements by taking an End of Course Exam; however, we are expecting all juniors to take the SBA math test as part of our school accountability system (any student who does not test must submit a refusal form).

Class of 2018 ■Current sophomores will take the SBA ELA and must meet standard with a score of 3 or 4. ■Current sophomores may take the SBA Math; however, it is recommended only for those currently in Algebra 2 or higher. ■Current sophomores may meet standard in math with either an End of Course Exam or the SBA Math. We will expect all current sophomores to take the SBA Math next spring.

Class of 2019 ■Current freshman will not be taking state assessments this year. ■On May 31, June 1, 2 and 3, freshman will have a two and a half hour late start with school beginning at 10:00.

Transcript Notation ■Effective April 2016, the Washington State Official Transcript has been updated to include a notation when students receive a level 3 or 4 on the High School Smarter Balanced Assessment. The notation will read: WA STATE HIGHER ED PLACEMENT AGREEMENT – MATH (or ELA)