Assessments
The Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) is a comprehensive statewide program designed to provide information about what students know in core academic areas and whether they can apply what they know. The WSAS includes:
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The Wisconsin Forward Exam at grades 3-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, at grades 4 and 8 in Science, and 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies. This test is given in the spring, the window typically runs from mid-March to late-April. The Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards. For additional information you can go to the DPI assessment website. Student results are made available in the summer, and Individual Student reports are sent to families in the beginning of the school year, typically in September. District and School report cards are publically released in November.
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Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) at grades 3-11 in ELA and Mathematics, at grades 4 and 8 - 11 in Science, and at grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies. This test is given in the spring, the window typically runs from mid-March to late-April. The DLM™ assessment measures the academic progress of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. For additional information you can go to the DPI assessment website. Student results are made available in the summer, and Individual Student reports are sent to families in the beginning of the school year, typically in September. District and School report cards are publically released in November on WISEDash.
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PreACT Secure-PreACT Secure is a summative assessment given to 9th and 10th grade students that is aligned to the ACT and the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards. PreACT Secure measures what students have learned in the areas of English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. This test is given in the spring, the window typically runs from mid-March to late-April. For additional information you can go to the DPI assessment website. Student Score Reports are available to students approximately 5-8 weeks after testing. Score reports will be mailed directly to students and available electronically through the student’s MyACT account.
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The ACT Plus Writing Wisconsin high school students in grade 11 will take the ACT with writing® which includes Reading, Math, English, Science, Writing. The ACT is an in-person assessment that districts may administer on paper or online. WAWM administers this assessment on paper at this time. The test is given on one day during the spring between mid-March and late-April. For additional information you can go to the DPI assessment website. Student Score Reports are available to students approximately 5-8 weeks after testing. Score reports will be mailed directly to students and available electronically through the student’s MyACT account.
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ACCESS for ELLs® Federal and state laws require that students, in grades K-12, identified as English Learners (ELs) be assessed annually to determine their level of English language proficiency (ELP) and ensure that they are progressing in achieving full English proficiency. This includes students who receive special education services. It is a large scale assessment that is based on the WIDA Consortium’s ELD Standards that form the core of Wisconsin’s approach to instructing and testing ELs. This assessment is given during the winter between early-December through Early February each year. For additional information you can go to the DPI assessment website. Scores are received back in the spring and reports will be available in late April.
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National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) NAEP is a survey assessment; each year a sample of schools are selected to participate. It provides results at the state and national level and produces the Nation's Report Card. Districts that receive Title 1 funds agree to have schools participate, if selected, in Main/State NAEP in grades 4 and 8 reading and mathematics. When schools are selected the testing window runs from the late-January through early-March. For additional information you can go to the DPI assessment website. The results of this assessment are used to determine how students across the country are trending, there are no individual results provided to families or districts.
When a parent or guardian requests that the student be excused from participating in state testing, this request must be honored at grades 4, 8, and 9-11, per Wis. Stats. 118.30(2)(b)3. Requests may come at any time during the testing window. A parent must submit a written request for student opt-out to the building principal (Grades 4, 8, and 9-11). School District of West Allis-West Milwaukee Policy 2623: Student Assessment also addresses these requirements. For more information regarding state testing required under the ESEA, visit DPI’s Assessment FAQs Page.
These are assessments given in West Allis-West Milwaukee schools that provide deeper insight to the performance levels and needs of students.
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Pre-K On My Way: Universal Screener- Growth measure to assess students skills as they enter school in 4K
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NSGRA: Next Step Guided Reading Assessment-Curriculum based test that determines students reading levels and targeted instructional next steps given 3 times each year in grades K-5
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Growth Measure-Curriculum based test that assesses progress by math benchmarks, given 3 times per year in grades K-5
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Fastbridge: Universal Screener- screener that measures broad reading and math abilities and predicts overall achievement given 3 times per year in grades K-9
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Panorama-Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Questionnaire measures student mindsets, behaviors, and attitudes that might be related to success in school and beyond the classroom
Click here for specific dates for the 2023-2024 school year.