About State Assessments

The District of Columbia administers multiple assessments annually in accordance with DC and federal law. These districtwide assessments are an important source of data on students’ progress and proficiency relative to DC’s educational standards. DC’s system of Next Generation Assessments are aligned to the Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and DC Standards. These assessments are also technology- and computer- enhanced.

Update

In April 2021, the US Department of Education officially granted the District of Columbia a one-year waiver from both administering statewide assessments and publishing school accountability (STAR) ratings. The waivers apply to the following statutory requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):   

• Statewide assessment requirements in Section 1111(b)(2) to administer required statewide assessments in English language arts/literacy, mathematics, science, and alternate assessments for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities;  
• Statewide assessment participation requirements in Section 1111(c)(4)(E); and 
• Consolidated State Plan for accountability, school identification, and reporting requirements in Section 1111(c)(4)(B)(i) and 1111(d)(2)(C)-(D) and selected report card provisions in Section 1111(h) based on data from the 2020-21 school year as specified in the Department’s Accountability Waiver template. In short, the waiver asked to suspend the calculation of new STAR ratings for the 2020-21 school year and new school designations for comprehensive and targeted improvements.

OSSE will continue administration of its ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 and Alternate ACCESS English language proficiency assessments in spring 2021.

The final waiver requests and the US Department of Education’s official response are available here. 

We value the use of comparable student performance data and recognize how important it is, particularly now. Our statewide assessment systems provide us critical information on academic performance across the city and we will be on track to resume administration in spring 2022. We are committed to working with our stakeholders to be able to provide information that is meaningful and useful in improving programs and supports for all students and schools.

• ACCESS for ELLs
• Accommodations
• Alternate Assessments
• DC Science Assessment
• Formative Assessments
• National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
• Next Generation Assessment Meetings
• Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)
• Test Coordinator Resources
• 2020-21 School Year Statewide Assessments Participation and Performance Policy
• Test Security and Incident Forms
• Contact Us