Contact: Lisa Teeters, mteeters@k12.wv.us
304-792-2060 ext 2062

Policy

State Testing dates for Spring 2025

County Assessments

WVDE Policy 2340 - WV Measures of Academic Progress

  1. GSA May 2026

  2. DLM April 6 - May 17, 2026

  3. SAT School Day. - April 9, 2025

  4. NAEP

  5. ELPA 21

  1. iReady for K-8th Grade

  2. PSAT for 9th -12th Grade

Subject(s) Assessed

In 2026, Mathematics, Reading, Civics, and U.S. History in grades 4, 8, and 12

Other subjects on schedule:  ,  Science

 Purpose of the Assessment

The NAEP informs the public about what American students know and can do in various subject areas and compares achievement among states, large urban districts, and various student groups.  The NAEP is a national assessment administered through a scientific sampling process which means that only a representative sample of selected students in selected schools take this assessment. 

 Requirement for the Assessment

Federal:  Public Law 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 2015

State:  West Virginia Constitution, Article XII, §18-2E-2, and West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340 West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

Total time is about 2 hours

 Scheduled Assessment Window

Mathematics and Reading are assessed once every other year.  Science is generally administered once every four (4) years.  The National Assessment Governing Board determines the NAEP assessment schedule including the grades and subjects tested each year. The current schedule can be found on their website at Assessment Schedule (nagb.gov). The NAEP assessment window is defined in federal law as the six-week period from the last week of January to the first week of March each year. Each sampled school is assigned a single assessment day during the six-week window.

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

The National Assessment Governing Board and the National Center for Education Statistics release the national and state level reading and mathematics results via a website in the fall following the assessment administration.  Only national level science results will be released.

National Assessment for Education Progress (NAEP)

West Virginia General Summative Assessment (WVGSA)

Subject(s) Assessed

English language arts (ELA), including writing, and mathematics in Grades 3-8 at grade level; Science in Grades 5 and 8 as a grade-band test.

 Purpose of the Assessment

This assessment measures student performance on the state’s content standards.  The results give students, teachers, and families meaningful information on what students know and can do, and how well they are progressing toward college and career readiness.

 Requirement for the Assessment

Federal:  Public Law 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 2015

State:  West Virginia Constitution, Article XII, §18-2E-2, and West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340 West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The WVGSA is an untimed test that takes approximately 2 hours for each content test session. The ELA test consists of two sessions, including one session that consists of an extended writing task.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

The WVGSA is administered in the spring of each year. The state establishes a statewide testing window, and each district then determines a district-wide testing window and a testing schedule for each school within the district. For spring 2026, the statewide testing window April 3-May 22, 2026.

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Testing results start appearing in the Cambium Reporting System on a rolling basis at the end of April.  Scores for ELA, math, and science should appear very soon after a test is completed. County and school personnel can access these results and analyze data at the county and school level. Parents will have access to individual student results in an online family portal.

Subject(s) Assessed

Grade 11 students take the following test components:  Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and Key Content Features (includes Science).

 Purpose of the Assessment

The SAT School Day is a nationally recognized college- and career-readiness assessment administered by the College Board and is accepted at colleges and universities throughout West Virginia and the nation for both college admissions and placement.  SAT School Day also can be used to qualify for the Promise Scholarship.

 Requirement for the Assessment

Federal:  Public Law 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 2015

State:  West Virginia Constitution, Article XII, §18-2E-2, and West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340 West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

Total time is 3 hours for Reading, Writing and Language, Math and Key Content Features.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

For spring 2026, the statewide testing window will be April 6-24, 2026.

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Student scores are available to students in the College Board’s Electronic Reporting System approximately three weeks after the completion of testing.  Counties and schools have access to test results in late May.

SAT School Day

West Virginia Alternate Summative Assessment (WVASA), also known as the Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Summative Assessment

Subject(s) Assessed

English and Mathematics in Grades 3-8 and 11, and Science in Grades 5, 8, and 11.

 Purpose of the Assessment

The WVASA is a summative measure of student academic performance based on the West Virginia Alternate Academic Achievement Standards administered in lieu of the WVGSA to students in grades 3-8 and grade 11 who have the most significant cognitive disabilities.

 Requirement for the Assessment

Federal:  Public Law 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 2015

State:  West Virginia Constitution, Article XII, §18-2E-2, and West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340 West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The WVASA is an untimed series of testlets averaging 3-5 minutes per testlet, with 7-9 testlets per subject area.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

The Alternate Summative Assessment (WVASA) is administered in the spring of each year. The state establishes a statewide testing window, and each county then determines a county-wide testing window and a testing schedule for each school within the district. For spring 2026, the statewide testing window is April 13–May 15, 2026.

​Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

DLM releases scores to the state in July.  Schools and teachers can access scores in August. Individual student reports are provided in August each year to send home to parents/guardians.

Subject(s) Assessed

4 Domains of English Language Proficiency – Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading inGrades K-12

 Purpose of the Assessment

The ELPA21 is a summative English Language Proficiency assessment to measure identified domains of English proficiency for students identified as English Learners in Grades K-12.

 Requirement for the Assessment

Federal:  Public Law 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 2015.

State:  West Virginia Constitution, Article XII, §18-2E-2, and West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340 West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

ELPA21 is an untimed assessment and approximate test time for all 4 domains varies by grade levels as follows:  grades K-1 about 69 minutes; grades 2-3 about 63 minutes; grades 4-5 about91 minutes; grades 6-8 about 128 minutes; and grades 9-12 about 155 minutes

 Scheduled Assessment Window

The ELPA21/Alt-ELPA is administered in the spring of each year. The state establishes a statewide testing window, and each district then determines a district-wide testing window and a testing schedule for each school within the district. For spring 2026, the statewide testing window is February 10, 2026 - March 20, 2026. 

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Individual Student Results will be available to the district by early-May 2026. The district will print the reports and provide them to parents by the end of the 2025-2026 school year. 

English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21)

State-Required Progress Monitoring Benchmarks/Screeners

Subject(s) Assessed

English language arts (ELA) and mathematics

 Purpose of the Assessment

Counties and schools are required to administer screeners/benchmarks in ELA, dyslexia, and mathematics for K-3 students. These screeners/benchmarks must be given in the first 30 days of school then repeated at mid-year and end-of-year. Counties may choose from an approved list of screeners/benchmarks. Counties also must administer benchmark assessments in grades 4-8 to monitor progress. Counties must administer the benchmarks in the first 30 days of school and then repeat at mid-year. The county may use the end-of-year WVGSA to serve as the third benchmark. Counties may choose to use the state-provided Benchmarks described under the additional assessments section of this document or a county-purchased benchmark that provides similar data. Counties should complete the charts in the County-Required Assessments section of this document to identify the benchmarks/screeners chosen by the county.

 Requirement for the Assessment

State:  West Virginia Constitution, Article XII, §18-2E-10 and §18-20-10

Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The time to complete the benchmarks/screeners will vary depending on the assessments chosen.

Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

The time and format for dissemination of results will vary depending on the assessments chosen. Counties are required to report data from the benchmarks/screeners to the WVDE using a form that will be provided to counties.

Subject(s) Assessed

Middle school social studies using the Golden Horseshoe exam

Purpose of the Assessment

The social studies middle school testing requirement is a cumulative assessment of students’ knowledge of social studies content using the Golden Horseshoe exam.

 Requirement for the Assessment

W.Va. Code §18-2-9 requires the administration of a cumulative middle school social studies assessment.

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The Golden Horseshoe exam is untimed and takes 45 minutes to one hour to complete.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

The Golden Horseshoe exam is administered in a two-week timeframe in February and March.

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

The Golden Horseshoe results are reported directly to the county superintendent and county contact for local dissemination. The results are reported after the state Golden Horseshoe ceremony in June of each year.

State-Required Social Studies Assessments – Middle School Social Studies

State-Required Social Studies Assessments – High School U.S. History

Subject(s) Assessed

High School U.S. History

 Purpose of the Assessment

The U.S. Studies test requirement is a cumulative assessment of students’ knowledge of U.S. History while in high school.

 Requirement for the Assessment

W.Va. Code §18-2-9 requires the administration of a cumulative US History exam to be taken at the end of their last US history course (AP U.S. History, U.S. Comprehensive, or Contemporary Studies).

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The U.S. History exam is untimed and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. 

 Scheduled Assessment Window

The U.S. history exam is administered at the end of AP U.S. History, U.S. Comprehensive, or Contemporary Studies. In a block schedule, this would be in January-December. For a period schedule, the exam is administered April-June. These exams take place within the regularly scheduled course.  

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

The U.S. History results are reported in the online Social Studies Assessment Monitoring tool accessed by county superintendents, directors, and school principals. Local districts decide when and how to report the results to students from the portal. 

Subject(s) Assessed

High School Civics

 Purpose of the Assessment

The civics test requirement is a cumulative assessment of students’ knowledge of civics while in high school.

Requirement for the Assessment

W.Va. Code §18-2-9 requires the administration of a cumulative civics exam. The civics exam also meets the citizenship test requirement of the same code.

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The civics exam is untimed and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. 

 Scheduled Assessment Window

The civics exam is administered at the end of the civics course. In a block schedule, this would be in January-December. For a period schedule, the exam is administered April-June. These exams take place within the regular scheduled course.  

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

The civics exam results are reported in the online Social Studies Assessment Monitoring tool accessed by county superintendents, directors, and school principals. Local districts decide when and how to report the results to students from the portal. 

State-Required Social Studies Assessments – High School Civics

FitnessGram®

Subject(s) Assessed

Physical Education

Purpose of the Assessment

The FitnessGram® test battery assesses health-related fitness components: aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. 

 Requirement for the Assessment

 In accordance with WV Code §18-2-7(a), the FitnessGram® shall be administered to all students in grades 4-8 and the required high school course.

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

Pre and post assessments are recommended, and each component of test requires a varying amount of time accounting for the variety of components and class size.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

There is not a scheduled assessment window assigned. Counties require scores to be reported at year end check-out for building administrators.

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Local districts decide when and how to report the results to students.

Subject(s) Assessed

Health/ Wellness Education

Purpose of the Assessment

HEAP measures student health knowledge and program effectiveness.

 Requirement for the Assessment

In 2005 HB 2816, The Healthy Lifestyles Act, was signed into law, and the law includes the following mandate: “The State Board shall prescribe a standardized health education assessment to be administered within health education classes to measure student health knowledge and program effectiveness.” Students in grades 6, 8, and the required high school health course must complete the HEAP assessment.

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The HEAP assessment is untimed and takes approximately 40 minutes to complete.  

Scheduled Assessment Window

There is not a scheduled assessment window assigned. Assessment scheduling is determined by the teacher.

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Class scores are reported in HEAP assessment portal and can be accessed by the teacher. Individual student scores are not reported.

Health Education Assessment Project (HEAP)

Additional Assessments Offered by the State

West Virginia Modules

 Subject(s) Assessed

English language arts (ELA) and mathematics in Grades 3-8

 Purpose of the Assessment

The Modules are short assessments measuring “chunks” of related content. Most Modules have at least two forms available and are available to allow all the content for the school year to be assessed. Modules provide data teachers can use to plan or adjust instruction throughout the year to address any weaknesses in targeted areas.

Requirement for the Assessment

Optional – Counties and schools may – but are not required to – administer the Modules. Some counties may require these assessments on a county level.

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The Modules are untimed tests with 5-20 questions; time to complete will vary.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

Counties decide when the Modules are administered.

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Results begin appearing in the Cambium Reporting System immediately after students have completed the assessment. County and school personnel can access these results and analyze data at the county, school, classroom roster, and individual student level.

 

CTE Technical Assessment – Pre-Test

Subject(s) Assessed

Each CTE program of study has an identified pre-test that corresponds to the technical assessment (post-test).

Purpose of the Assessment

Pre-tests are optional online assessments that provide a baseline measurement of student proficiency.

Requirement for the Assessment

Optional – Counties and schools administer the pre-test that aligns with the student’s program of study.

Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The length of time to complete varies.  Each technical assessment has a different number of questions and counties/schools may administer the technical assessment in up to 3 sessions.

Scheduled Assessment Window

Counties/schools decide when to test between September 1 and November 30.

Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Preliminary results are displayed to the student upon submission and provided to the instructor within the testing platform.  Within 48 hours, reports are generated for state officials, county/school administrators, instructors, and students to retrieve.

CTE Technical Assessment – Post-Test

 Subject(s) Assessed

Each CTE program of study has an identified technical assessment.

 Purpose of the Assessment

Post-tests are online technical assessments used to measure technical skills obtained during the state-approved program of study.

 Requirement for the Assessment

Optional – Counties and schools administer the technical assessment that aligns with the student’s program of study.

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The length of time to complete varies.  Each technical assessment has a different number of questions and counties/schools may administer the technical assessment in up to 3 sessions.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

Counties/schools decide when to test between September 1 and June 30.

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Preliminary results are displayed to the student upon submission and provided to the instructor within the testing platform.  Within 48 hours, reports and certificates are generated for state officials, county/school administrators, instructors, and students to retrieve.

County-Required Assessments

PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)

 Subject(s) Assessed

Reading and Writing in grades 9, 10, and 11 (this includes passages pertaining to science, literature, social studies, and social sciences)

Mathematics in grades 9, 10, and 11 (this includes algebra, geometry, data analysis, and other advanced mathematical elements)

 Purpose of the Assessment

The use of the PSAT—a nationally recognized assessment—allows students to experience a precursor to the SAT. With this assessment, educators, students, and families are able to ascertain a student’s potential success on the upcoming SAT and evaluate academic areas of college-readiness that need assistance.

 This online-assessment also gives students with qualifying scores access to scholarships and other academic programs and recognition opportunities.

 Requirement for the Assessment

Use of the PSAT is optional as counties are not required to administer the exam.

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The PSAT requires 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete. The Reading and Writing section’s length is 64 minutes with 54 questions divided between two modules. The Math test’s 44 questions, which is also divided into two modules, requires 70 minutes to complete.

i-Ready Reading Diagnostic

Subject(s) Assessed

Grades K-8 are assessed in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, High-Frequency Words, Vocabulary, and Comprehension (Literature and Informational Text)

 Purpose of the Assessment

The i-Ready Diagnostic is a computer adaptive assessment used to assess students’ reading skills. The diagnostic provides comprehensive insight into student learning across multiple domains in Reading.  The assessment helps educators to identify the specific skills each student needs to develop, identify each students’ areas of strength, and measure academic growth through the school year.

 Requirement for the Assessment

Students are assessed three times per year (beginning, middle, and end of the year)

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The assessment is untimed. Times to complete will vary.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

September

January

April/May

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Beginning of the year assessments are completed within the first 30 days of school.

Results are provided to families within 15 days of assessment.

 

i-Ready Math Diagnostic

 Subject(s) Assessed

Grades K-8 are assessed in Numer and Operations, Algebra and Algebraic Thinking, Measure and Data, and Geometry.

 Purpose of the Assessment

The i-Ready Diagnostic is a computer adaptive assessment used to assess students’ numeracy skills. The diagnostic provides comprehensive insight into student learning across multiple domains in Mathematics.  The assessment helps educators to identify the specific skills each student needs to develop, identify each students’ areas of strength, and measure academic growth through the school year.

 Requirement for the Assessment

Students are assessed three times per year (beginning, middle, and end of the year)

 Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment

The assessment is untimed. Times to complete will vary.

 Scheduled Assessment Window

September

January

April/May

 Time and Format for Dissemination of Results

Beginning-of-the-year assessments are completed within the first 30 days of school.

Results are provided to families within 15 days of assessment.