Teaching and Learning

Students are involved in various assessments throughout the school day to track their learning progress. A diverse range of assessments ensures a well-rounded understanding of each student's academic development.

• Ongoing activities like quizzes, class discussions, and homework to provide continuous feedback.

• More significant, more comprehensive evaluations, such as exams, projects, and standardized tests, offer a broader view of a student's understanding.

• Teachers also use diagnostic tools to understand students' prior knowledge and implement continuous assessments like observation and self-reflection.

 Why assess students in a variety of ways?

No one assessment tool can provide all of the answers needed to make good decisions. While the goals of learning may be the same for all students, individuals' ways of achieving those goals vary. All students must be provided multiple opportunities for learning and for demonstrating understanding.

Assessment in the South Kitsap School District includes a variety of measures intended to provide snapshots of what students know and are able to do. Each measure helps inform decisions about future learning goals. Together these snapshots create an album. This assessment album helps parents, staff, and students make decisions for future learning. These assessments also provide evidence of the progress our students are making toward the South Kitsap School District's academic goals and Washington State's Learning Standards.

Classroom-Based Assessments

• Include interviewing, portfolios, setting goals, performances, products, demonstrations, essays, paper-pencil exams.
• Occur in a continual manner in all grades.
• Enable teachers to make ongoing decisions about instruction.
• Promote self-reflection and self-assessment.

(The following exams are State Required)
Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math: Smarter Balanced Tests

• Aligned with Washington's State Learning Standards.
• Smarter Balanced year-end summative assessments are not timed. Students may take as much time as they need to complete the tests.
• Testing will occur in multiple sessions, so students will typically spend one to two hours per day on the assessments over several days.
• It's important to remember that Smarter Balanced assesses writing at every grade level.

Grades 5 and 8 Science: Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS)

• The WCAS will be given to students in grades 5 and 8.
• The WCAS measures the level of proficiency based on the Washington State K-12 Science Learning Standards (WSSLS) for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Grade 10 ELA and Math: Smarter Balanced Tests

• Washington's State Learning Standards in English language arts and math are designed to prepare students for career, college, and life.
• Smarter Balanced year-end summative assessments are not timed. Students may take as much time as they need to complete the tests.
• Testing will occur in multiple sessions, so students will typically spend one to two hours per day on the assessments over several days.

Grades 11: Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS)

• The WCAS measures the level of proficiency based on the Washington State K-12 Science Learning Standards (WSSLS) for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Visit the OSPI Timelines/Calendar for additional information.
 

All students receive a combination of report cards and parent-teacher conferences during the school year to report on their progress. Parents may request status on a student’s grades from a teacher at any time or arrange to visit a classroom by contacting the school.

• Elementary students (grades K-5) are on a trimester schedule and receive a report card at the end of each trimester. Conferences are held twice a year.
• Middle school students (grades 6-8), operate on a semester system. Students receive report cards twice a year and conferences are held twice a year.
• High school students (grades 9-12) operate on a semester system and report cards are issued at the end of each semester. Conferences are held twice a year.

From the State of Washington OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) home page:

The Washington State K-12 Learning Standards fully incorporated the Common Core State Standards.  "Common Core is a real-world approach to learning and teaching. Developed by education experts from 45 states, these K-12 learning standards go deeper into key concepts in math and English language arts. The standards require a practical, real-life application of knowledge that prepares Washington students for success in college, work and life."

Washington State K-12 Learning Standards provide:

• Consistent learning expectations for all students.
• Clear standards that focus on understanding over memorization.
• Emphasis on the critical topics students need to succeed after high school.
• Faster testing results with a better, more focused online assessment system. "

Please visit the OSPI home page for more information.

Click the grade level links below to access Parents' Guide to Student Success based on the Washington State K-12 Learning Standards.  Each guide will provide an overview of what your child will learn by the end of the school year in their grade level. 
 

Please click here to access Mathematics-specific CCSS flyers K-8, created by the consortium of Washington State Educational Service Districts.
 

Return to this page to stay current on additional Washington State K-12 Learning Standards information and resources.