What Tests Did Each State Require in 2016-17?

Education Week's latest annual state survey reveals subtle shifts this year in the national testing landscape.

What Tests Did Each State Require in 2016-17?

An Interactive Breakdown of States’ 2016-17 Testing Plans

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Originally published Feb. 15, 2017

For the latest breakdown of testing plans, click here.

In 2016-17, states’ testing systems have begun to settle down after several years of transition sparked by the Common Core State Standards. By now, most states have chosen not to use the PARCC and Smarter Balanced assessments, which were designed to reflect the common core. Under pressure to cut back on testing time, many opted for other, shorter tests, or chose to use the SAT or ACT in high school instead. Get more highlights from the survey in "State Solidarity Still Eroding on Common-Core Tests."




An Overview of States' 2016-17 Testing Plans

Click the button next to each question and scroll down to see results.


What tests are states requiring in 2016-17?
see all

What tests are states using for federal accountability?
see all

Which states are using PARCC or Smarter Balanced?
see all 21

Which states are using PARCC or Smarter Balanced only in grades 9 or lower?
see all 7

Which states are using non-consortium tests?
see all 27

Are any states mixing PARCC or Smarter Balanced with their own items?
see all 3

Which states require students to take the SAT or ACT?
see all 25

Which states use the SAT or ACT for federal accountability?
see all 12

Which states require students to pass a test to graduate from high school?
see all 12




All States: Tests Required in 2016-17: Tests Used for Federal Accountability: States Using PARCC or Smarter Balanced: States Using PARCC or Smarter Balanced Only in Grades 9 or Lower: States Using Non-Consortium Tests: States Mixing Their Own Items with PARCC or Smarter Balanced Items: States Requiring the SAT or ACT: States Using the SAT or ACT for Federal Accountability: States Requiring Students to Pass a Test to Graduate from High School:















all states


State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Alabama

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

Alaska

Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAKS)

PEAKS

none

 

Arizona

AzMERIT

AzMERIT

none

 

Arkansas

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire

none

Schools must offer ACT, but students are not required to participate.

California

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Colorado

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, PSAT, SAT

none

PARCC in grades 3-9.

Connecticut

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SAT

none

 

Delaware

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

PSAT, SAT

none

 

District of Columbia

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, SAT

none

 

Florida

Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)

FSA end-of-course tests

FSA

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Georgia

Georgia Milestones

Georgia Milestones

none

 

Hawaii

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT

none

 

Idaho

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, SAT/ACT

none

Students must take 10th grade Smarter Balanced and SAT or ACT.

Illinois

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

SAT

none

 

Indiana

Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress Plus (ISTEP+)

ISTEP+, end-of-course tests

ISTEP+

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Iowa

Iowa Assessments

Iowa Assessments

none

 

Kansas

Kansas Assessment Program (KAP)

KAP

none

 

Kentucky

Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP)

K-PREP,  ACT QualityCore, ACT

none

 

Louisiana

MIX: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

End-of-course tests

LEAP is a mix of PARCC and Louisiana-designed items. Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Maine

Maine Educational Assessment (MEA)

SAT

none

 

Maryland

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

none

 

Massachusetts

MIX: "Next Generation" Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

MCAS

MCAS

"Next gen" MCAS is a mix of PARCC & MCAS items. 10th grade MCAS uses Massachusetts-designed items. Students must pass MCAS.

Michigan

MIX: Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)

PSAT, SAT, WorkKeys

none

M-STEP is a mix of Smarter Balanced and Michigan-created items.

Minnesota

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

MCA

none

 

Mississippi

Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP)

MAP, ACT

MAP or other exams

Students must pass MAP end-of-course tests or substitute ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses, or other tests.

Missouri

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

Montana

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

ACT

none

 

Nebraska

Nebraska State Accountablity Tests (NeSA)

ACT

none

 

Nevada

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),end-of-course tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

New Hampshire

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE)

SAT

none

In eight districts, schools give SBAC once in elementary and middle school. In all other grade levels, they use locally designed performance tests, called PACE, and give SAT in 11th grade. In all other districts, schools give SBAC in grades 3-8 and SAT in grade 11.

New Jersey

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC or other exams

Students must pass PARCC end-of-course tests, or produce threshold scores on ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer, or present a portfolio.

New Mexico

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC

Students must score at Level 3 on PARCC.

New York

New York State Assessments

Regents Exams

Regents Exams

Students must pass Regents Exams.

North Carolina

End-of-grade tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

North Dakota

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT/WorkKeys

none

Students must take ACT or WorkKeys; score doesn't affect grades or graduation.

Ohio

Ohio State Tests (OST)

End-of-course tests, SAT/ACT

End-of-course tests or other exams

Students must take SAT or ACT. To graduate, they can pass the Ohio Graduation Exams or produce threshold scores on end-of-course-exams, ACT, or SAT.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP)

OSTP

none

 

Oregon

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)

Keystone Exams

none

 

Rhode Island

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

none

SAT is offered during the school day, but students are not required to take it.

South Carolina

SCReady

End-of-course tests, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

South Dakota

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Tennessee

TNReady

End-of-course tests, ACT/SAT

none

Students must take ACT or SAT.

Texas

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

STAAR

STAAR

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Utah

Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence (SAGE)

SAGE, ACT

none

 

Vermont

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Virginia

Standards of Learning (SOL)

SOL

SOL

Students must pass end-of-course tests or state-board-approved substitute test.

Washington

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

SBAC or other exams

Class of 2017 must produce threshold score on SBAC in English/language arts. In math, students must pass SBAC or end-of-course exams.

West Virginia

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Forward

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

Wyoming

Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS)

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Alabama

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

Alaska

Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAKS)

PEAKS

none

 

Arizona

AzMERIT

AzMERIT

none

 

Arkansas

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire

none

Schools must offer ACT, but students are not required to participate.

California

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Colorado

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, PSAT, SAT

none

PARCC in grades 3-9.

Connecticut

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SAT

none

 

Delaware

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

PSAT, SAT

none

 

District of Columbia

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, SAT

none

 

Florida

Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)

FSA end-of-course tests

FSA

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Georgia

Georgia Milestones

Georgia Milestones

none

 

Hawaii

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT

none

 

Idaho

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, SAT/ACT

none

Students must take 10th grade Smarter Balanced and SAT or ACT.

Illinois

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

SAT

none

 

Indiana

Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress Plus (ISTEP+)

ISTEP+, end-of-course tests

ISTEP+

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Iowa

Iowa Assessments

Iowa Assessments

none

 

Kansas

Kansas Assessment Program (KAP)

KAP

none

 

Kentucky

Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP)

K-PREP,  ACT QualityCore, ACT

none

 

Louisiana

MIX: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

End-of-course tests

LEAP is a mix of PARCC and Louisiana-designed items. Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Maine

Maine Educational Assessment (MEA)

SAT

none

 

Maryland

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

none

 

Massachusetts

MIX: "Next Generation" Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

MCAS

MCAS

"Next gen" MCAS is a mix of PARCC & MCAS items. 10th grade MCAS uses Massachusetts-designed items. Students must pass MCAS.

Michigan

MIX: Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)

PSAT, SAT, WorkKeys

none

M-STEP is a mix of Smarter Balanced and Michigan-created items.

Minnesota

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

MCA

none

 

Mississippi

Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP)

MAP, ACT

MAP or other exams

Students must pass MAP end-of-course tests or substitute ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses, or other tests.

Missouri

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

Montana

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

ACT

none

 

Nebraska

Nebraska State Accountablity Tests (NeSA)

ACT

none

 

Nevada

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),end-of-course tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

New Hampshire

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE)

SAT

none

In eight districts, schools give SBAC once in elementary and middle school. In all other grade levels, they use locally designed performance tests, called PACE, and give SAT in 11th grade. In all other districts, schools give SBAC in grades 3-8 and SAT in grade 11.

New Jersey

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC or other exams

Students must pass PARCC end-of-course tests, or produce threshold scores on ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer, or present a portfolio.

New Mexico

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC

Students must score at Level 3 on PARCC.

New York

New York State Assessments

Regents Exams

Regents Exams

Students must pass Regents Exams.

North Carolina

End-of-grade tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

North Dakota

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT/WorkKeys

none

Students must take ACT or WorkKeys; score doesn't affect grades or graduation.

Ohio

Ohio State Tests (OST)

End-of-course tests, SAT/ACT

End-of-course tests or other exams

Students must take SAT or ACT. To graduate, they can pass the Ohio Graduation Exams or produce threshold scores on end-of-course-exams, ACT, or SAT.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP)

OSTP

none

 

Oregon

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)

Keystone Exams

none

 

Rhode Island

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

none

SAT is offered during the school day, but students are not required to take it.

South Carolina

SCReady

End-of-course tests, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

South Dakota

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Tennessee

TNReady

End-of-course tests, ACT/SAT

none

Students must take ACT or SAT.

Texas

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

STAAR

STAAR

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Utah

Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence (SAGE)

SAGE, ACT

none

 

Vermont

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Virginia

Standards of Learning (SOL)

SOL

SOL

Students must pass end-of-course tests or state-board-approved substitute test.

Washington

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

SBAC or other exams

Class of 2017 must produce threshold score on SBAC in English/language arts. In math, students must pass SBAC or end-of-course exams.

West Virginia

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Forward

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

Wyoming

Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS)

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Alabama

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

Alaska

Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAKS)

PEAKS

none

 

Arizona

AzMERIT

AzMERIT

none

 

Arkansas

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire

none

Schools must offer ACT, but students are not required to participate.

California

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Colorado

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, PSAT, SAT

none

PARCC in grades 3-9.

Connecticut

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SAT

none

 

Delaware

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

PSAT, SAT

none

 

District of Columbia

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, SAT

none

 

Florida

Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)

FSA end-of-course tests

FSA

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Georgia

Georgia Milestones

Georgia Milestones

none

 

Hawaii

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT

none

 

Idaho

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, SAT/ACT

none

Students must take 10th grade Smarter Balanced and SAT or ACT.

Illinois

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

SAT

none

 

Indiana

Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress Plus (ISTEP+)

ISTEP+, end-of-course tests

ISTEP+

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Iowa

Iowa Assessments

Iowa Assessments

none

 

Kansas

Kansas Assessment Program (KAP)

KAP

none

 

Kentucky

Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP)

K-PREPACT QualityCore, ACT

none

 

Louisiana

MIX: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

End-of-course tests

LEAP is a mix of PARCC and Louisiana-designed items. Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Maine

Maine Educational Assessment (MEA)

SAT

none

 

Maryland

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

none

 

Massachusetts

MIX: "Next Generation" Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

MCAS

MCAS

"Next gen" MCAS is a mix of PARCC & MCAS items. 10th grade MCAS uses Massachusetts-designed items. Students must pass MCAS.

Michigan

MIX: Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)

PSAT, SAT, WorkKeys

none

M-STEP is a mix of Smarter Balanced and Michigan-created items.

Minnesota

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

MCA

none

 

Mississippi

Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP)

MAPACT

MAP or other exams

Students must pass MAP end-of-course tests or substitute ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses, or other tests.

Missouri

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

Montana

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

ACT

none

 

Nebraska

Nebraska State Accountablity Tests (NeSA)

ACT

none

 

Nevada

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), end-of-course tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

New Hampshire

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE)

SAT

none

In eight districts, schools give SBAC once in elementary and middle school. In all other grade levels, they use locally designed performance tests, called PACE, and give SAT in 11th grade. In all other districts, schools give SBAC in grades 3-8 and SAT in grade 11.

New Jersey

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC or other exams

Students must pass PARCC end-of-course tests, or produce threshold scores on ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer, or present a portfolio.

New Mexico

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC

Students must score at Level 3 on PARCC.

New York

New York State Assessments

Regents Exams

Regents Exams

Students must pass Regents Exams.

North Carolina

End-of-grade tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

North Dakota

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT/WorkKeys

none

Students must take ACT or WorkKeys; score doesn't affect grades or graduation.

Ohio

Ohio State Tests (OST)

End-of-course tests, SAT/ACT

End-of-course tests or other exams

Students must take SAT or ACT. To graduate, they can pass the Ohio Graduation Exams or produce threshold scores on end-of-course-exams, ACT, or SAT.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP)

OSTP

none

 

Oregon

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)

Keystone Exams

none

 

Rhode Island

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

none

SAT is offered during the school day, but students are not required to take it.

South Carolina

SCReady

End-of-course tests, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

South Dakota

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Tennessee

TNReady

End-of-course tests, ACT/SAT

none

Students must take ACT or SAT.

Texas

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

STAAR

STAAR

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Utah

Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence (SAGE)

SAGE, ACT

none

 

Vermont

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Virginia

Standards of Learning (SOL)

SOL

SOL

Students must pass end-of-course tests or state-board-approved substitute test.

Washington

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

SBAC or other exams

Class of 2017 must produce threshold score on SBAC in English/language arts. In math, students must pass SBAC or end-of-course exams.

West Virginia

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Forward

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

Wyoming

Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS)

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

California

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Colorado

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, PSAT, SAT

none

PARCC in grades 3-9.

Connecticut

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SAT

none

 

Delaware

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

PSAT, SAT

none

 

District of Columbia

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, SAT

none

 

Hawaii

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT

none

 

Idaho

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, SAT/ACT

none

Students must take 10th grade Smarter Balanced and SAT or ACT.

Illinois

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

SAT

none

 

Maryland

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

none

 

Montana

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

ACT

none

 

Nevada

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),end-of-course tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

New Hampshire

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE)

SAT

none

In eight districts, schools give SBAC once in elementary and middle school. In all other grade levels, they use locally designed performance tests, called PACE, and give SAT in 11th grade. In all other districts, schools give SBAC in grades 3-8 and SAT in grade 11.

New Jersey

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC or other exams

Students must pass PARCC end-of-course tests, or produce threshold scores on ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer, or present a portfolio.

New Mexico

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC

Students must score at Level 3 on PARCC.

North Dakota

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT/WorkKeys

none

Students must take ACT or WorkKeys; score doesn't affect grades or graduation.

Oregon

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Rhode Island

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

none

SAT is offered during the school day, but students are not required to take it.

South Dakota

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Vermont

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

Washington

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

SBAC or other exams

Class of 2017 must produce threshold score on SBAC in English/language arts. In math, students must pass SBAC or end-of-course exams.

West Virginia

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

none

 

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Colorado

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, PSAT, SAT

none

PARCC in grades 3-9.

Connecticut

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SAT

none

 

Delaware

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

PSAT, SAT

none

 

Illinois

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

SAT

none

 

Montana

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

ACT

none

 

Nevada

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),end-of-course tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

New Hampshire

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE)

SAT

none

In eight districts, schools give SBAC once in elementary and middle school. In all other grade levels, they use locally designed performance tests, called PACE, and give SAT in 11th grade. In all other districts, schools give SBAC in grades 3-8 and SAT in grade 11.

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Alabama

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

Alaska

Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAKS)

PEAKS

none

 

Arizona

AzMERIT

AzMERIT

none

 

Arkansas

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire

none

Schools must offer ACT, but students are not required to participate.

Florida

Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)

FSA end-of-course tests

FSA

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Georgia

Georgia Milestones

Georgia Milestones

none

 

Indiana

Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress Plus (ISTEP+)

ISTEP+, end-of-course tests

ISTEP+

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Iowa

Iowa Assessments

Iowa Assessments

none

 

Kansas

Kansas Assessment Program (KAP)

KAP

none

 

Kentucky

Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP)

K-PREP,  ACT QualityCore, ACT

none

 

Maine

Maine Educational Assessment (MEA)

SAT

none

 

Minnesota

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

MCA

none

 

Mississippi

Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP)

MAP, ACT

MAP or other exams

Students must pass MAP end-of-course tests or substitute ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses, or other tests.

Missouri

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

Nebraska

Nebraska State Accountablity Tests (NeSA)

ACT

none

 

New York

New York State Assessments

Regents Exams

Regents Exams

Students must pass Regents Exams.

North Carolina

End-of-grade tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

Ohio

Ohio State Tests (OST)

End-of-course tests, SAT/ACT

End-of-course tests or other exams

Students must take SAT or ACT. To graduate, they can pass the Ohio Graduation Exams or produce threshold scores on end-of-course-exams, ACT, or SAT.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP)

OSTP

none

 

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)

Keystone Exams

none

 

South Carolina

SCReady

End-of-course tests, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

Tennessee

TNReady

End-of-course tests, ACT/SAT

none

Students must take ACT or SAT.

Texas

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

STAAR

STAAR

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Utah

Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence (SAGE)

SAGE, ACT

none

 

Virginia

Standards of Learning (SOL)

SOL

SOL

Students must pass end-of-course tests or state-board-approved substitute test.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Forward

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

Wyoming

Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS)

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Louisiana

MIX: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

End-of-course tests

LEAP is a mix of PARCC and Louisiana-designed items. Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Massachusetts

MIX: "Next Generation" Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

MCAS

MCAS

"Next gen" MCAS is a mix of PARCC & MCAS items. 10th grade MCAS uses Massachusetts-designed items. Students must pass MCAS.

Michigan

MIX: Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)

PSAT, SAT, WorkKeys

none

M-STEP is a mix of Smarter Balanced and Michigan-created items.

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Alabama

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

Colorado

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, PSAT, SAT

none

PARCC in grades 3-9.

Connecticut

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SAT

none

 

Delaware

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

PSAT, SAT

none

 

District of Columbia

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC, SAT

none

 

Hawaii

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, ACT

none

 

Idaho

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC, SAT/ACT

none

Students must take 10th grade Smarter Balanced and SAT or ACT.

Illinois

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

SAT

none

 

Kentucky

Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP)

K-PREP,  ACT QualityCore, ACT

none

 

Louisiana

MIX: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

End-of-course tests

LEAP is a mix of PARCC and Louisiana-designed items. Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Maine

Maine Educational Assessment (MEA)

SAT

none

 

Michigan

MIX: Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)

PSAT, SAT, WorkKeys

none

M-STEP is a mix of Smarter Balanced and Michigan-created items.

Mississippi

Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP)

MAP, ACT

MAP or other exams

Students must pass MAP end-of-course tests or substitute ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses, or other tests.

Missouri

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

Montana

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

ACT

none

 

Nebraska

Nebraska State Accountablity Tests (NeSA)

ACT

none

 

Nevada

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),end-of-course tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

New Hampshire

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE)

SAT

none

In eight districts, schools give SBAC once in elementary and middle school. In all other grade levels, they use locally designed performance tests, called PACE, and give SAT in 11th grade. In all other districts, schools give SBAC in grades 3-8 and SAT in grade 11.

North Carolina

End-of-grade tests

End-of-course tests, ACT

none

 

Ohio

Ohio State Tests (OST)

End-of-course tests, SAT/ACT

End-of-course tests or other exams

Students must take SAT or ACT. To graduate, they can pass the Ohio Graduation Exams or produce threshold scores on end-of-course-exams, ACT, or SAT.

South Carolina

SCReady

End-of-course tests, ACT, WorkKeys

none

 

Tennessee

TNReady

End-of-course tests, ACT/SAT

none

Students must take ACT or SAT.

Utah

Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence (SAGE)

SAGE, ACT

none

 

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Forward

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

Wyoming

Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS)

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Connecticut

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SAT

none

 

Delaware

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

PSAT, SAT

none

 

Illinois

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

SAT

none

 

Louisiana

MIX: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

End-of-course tests

LEAP is a mix of PARCC and Louisiana-designed items. Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Maine

Maine Educational Assessment (MEA)

SAT

none

 

Michigan

MIX: Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)

PSAT, SAT, WorkKeys

none

M-STEP is a mix of Smarter Balanced and Michigan-created items.

Mississippi

Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP)

MAP, ACT

MAP or other exams

Students must pass MAP end-of-course tests or substitute ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses, or other tests.

Montana

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

ACT

none

 

Nebraska

Nebraska State Accountablity Tests (NeSA)

ACT

none

 

New Hampshire

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC),Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE)

SAT

none

In eight districts, schools give SBAC once in elementary and middle school. In all other grade levels, they use locally designed performance tests, called PACE, and give SAT in 11th grade. In all other districts, schools give SBAC in grades 3-8 and SAT in grade 11.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Forward

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

Wyoming

Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS)

ACT Aspire, ACT

none

 

State

3-8 Test

High School Test

Exit Exam?

Notes

Florida

Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)

FSA end-of-course tests

FSA

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Indiana

Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress Plus (ISTEP+)

ISTEP+, end-of-course tests

ISTEP+

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Louisiana

MIX: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)

End-of-course tests, ACT

End-of-course tests

LEAP is a mix of PARCC and Louisiana-designed items. Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Massachusetts

MIX: "Next Generation" Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

MCAS

MCAS

"Next gen" MCAS is a mix of PARCC & MCAS items. 10th grade MCAS uses Massachusetts-designed items. Students must pass MCAS.

Mississippi

Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP)

MAP, ACT

MAP or other exams

Students must pass MAP end-of-course tests or substitute ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses, or other tests.

New Jersey

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC or other exams

Students must pass PARCC end-of-course tests, or produce threshold scores on ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer, or present a portfolio.

New Mexico

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC

PARCC

Students must score at Level 3 on PARCC.

New York

New York State Assessments

Regents Exams

Regents Exams

Students must pass Regents Exams.

Ohio

Ohio State Tests (OST)

End-of-course tests, SAT/ACT

End-of-course tests or other exams

Students must take SAT or ACT. To graduate, they can pass the Ohio Graduation Exams or produce threshold scores on end-of-course-exams, ACT, or SAT.

Texas

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

STAAR

STAAR

Students must pass end-of-course tests.

Virginia

Standards of Learning (SOL)

SOL

SOL

Students must pass end-of-course tests or state-board-approved substitute test.

Washington

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

SBAC

SBAC or other exams

Class of 2017 must produce threshold score on SBAC in English/language arts. In math, students must pass SBAC or end-of-course exams.




Design & Visualization: Sumi Bannerjee

A version of this article appeared in the February 15, 2017 edition of Education Week as What Tests Did Each State Require in 2016-17?