Wisconsin Student Assessment System
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:
- 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
- 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,
- ACT Aspire at grades 9 & 10,
- The ACT with Writing at grade 11 for Reading, English, Mathematics, Science, and Writing.
Test Practice
Test Participation
A New Balance: Wisconsin's Strategic Assessment Systems
In Wisconsin, more than simply balancing the types of assessments to provide a variety of data, educators recognize the need to strategically choose high quality assessment tools and practices, and then coherently and purposefully use that information to directly impact student achievement. Click here to learn more about Strategic Assessment Systems in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin State Assessment Timelines
- 2019-20 Vendor-Based Reporting Information - Provides a one-page overview of the 2019-20 spring testing reports available from vendors (i.e., description, where/when available, etc.).
- 2020-21 Wisconsin State Assessment Schedule - Provides a calendar timeline of when the state assessments are administered.
- 2020-21 State Assessments by Grade - Provides state assessments in a table by grade and time of year administered.
- 2020-21 Wisconsin State Assessments - Provides a brief explanation of each assessment and the dates of administration.
Other Wisconsin Assessments
Assessment for ELLs
Federal and state laws require that students 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. Most ELs will take the ACCESS for ELLs assessment annually. ELs recognized under the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; 2004) as having a significant cognitive disability and who are expected to participate in the Wisconsin Alternate Assessment are eligible to take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs in place of the ACCESS for ELLs®.
Assessment for Reading Readiness
Wis. Stats. 118.016 requires each pupil enrolled in 4-year-old kindergarten to 2nd grade in a school district or in a charter school to be annually assessed for reading readiness. Each school board and the operator of each charter school shall select the appropriate, valid, and reliable assessment of literacy fundamentals to be used. The school board or operator shall ensure that the assessment evaluates whether a pupil possesses phonemic awareness and letter sound knowledge.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
What's New
This resource provides considerations for district and school leaders to use in identifying initial student needs and monitoring ongoing student learning from an equity lens to ensure every student has what they need to learn when they need it. It offers a process and sources of data to identify and align the unfinished learning students need to advance on grade-level standards within the current/upcoming unit of study.
Quick Contacts
Nikki Braconier
(608) 266-1075
Alison O'Hara
(608) 266-5182
Jennifer Teasdale
Forward Exam, Assessment, Webpage
(608) 266-5193
Mike Peacy
DLM
(608) 267-1288
Jesse Roberts
W-APT, ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
(608) 267-5153
Phil Cranley
(608) 266-9798
Duane Dorn
(608) 267-1069
Angela Dugas
(608) 267-2273