SPI releases participation rates for Smarter Balanced assessments; rates were high for grades 3-8, low for grade 11

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction released today the participation rates for the new Smarter Balanced assessments. 

Washington schools met the required 95 percent participation rate on this spring’s new Smarter Balanced tests in grades 3 through 8, according to preliminary results released today by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The rate was considerably lower for the 11th grade…

“I’m proud of the students who participated in the new tests this year,” State Superintendent Randy Dorn said. “Trying something new isn’t easy. My hope is that now that we’ve seen the new tests in action, more students will participate next year, especially in 11th grade. Eleventh graders who score a 3 or 4 on the tests are considered ready for credit-bearing coursework, and may avoid placement tests once they get into college.”

Ready Washington comments on the participation rates and links to a “sneak peek” at the preliminary scores.