Testing Transparency
Required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015)
ESEA requires LEAs to post testing transparency on all federal, state, and local assessments on their websites. LEAs may modify this template as needed and must post the information to ensure compliance with the testing transparency requirement.
Federal/State Required Assessments
National Assessment for Education Progress (NAEP)
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.
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 grade-band tests.
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 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 April 13-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.
SAT School Day
Subject(s) Assessed
Grade 11 students take the following test components: Reading/Writing Test and Math Test, including science-related items that produce a science score.
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. It is administered online.
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 2 hours and 14 minutes for the Reading/Writing Test and Math Test, with science items included.
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.
West Virginia Alternate Summative Assessment (WVASA), also known as the Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Summative Assessment
Subject(s) Assessed
English language arts (ELA) 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 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 be sent home to parents/guardians.
English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21)/Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessment (Alt-ELPA)
Subject(s) Assessed
4 Domains of English Language Proficiency – Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading in Grades K-12
Purpose of the Assessment
The ELPA21/Alt-ELPA 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 24-44 minutes; grades 2-3 about 32-68 minutes; grades 4-5 about 33-66 minutes; grades 6-8 about 44-98 minutes; and grades 9-12 about 44-104 minutes. The Alt-ELPA is also an untimed assessment and has a total of 40–50 items across the four domains of language.
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.
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.
State-Required Social Studies Assessments – Middle School Social Studies
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 February and March. (Per WVDE: 2/24/26 is the written portion and 3/19/26 is scheduled for the online exam for Wirt County Middle Schools.)
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 – 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.
State-Required Social Studies Assessments – High School Civics
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.
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.
Health Education Assessment Project (HEAP)
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.
Additional Assessments Offered by 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.
Counties and schools must ensure that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities can participate in county-required assessments or provide an equivalent alternate assessment for these students.
Wirt County-Required Assessments
iReady
Subject(s) Assessed
Reading and Mathematics
Purpose of the Assessment
These assessments are administered as benchmarks in grades K-8 to monitor grade level mastery progress, inform instruction in the classroom and guide school improvement processes.
Requirement for the Assessment
WV State Board Policy ASSURING THE QUALITY OF EDUCAITON: REGULATIONS FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS (2510) requires counties/schools to utilize formative assessments.
Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment
Each subject assessment can generally be completed in 45 to 90 minutes.
Scheduled Assessment Window
Benchmark 1 Window 8/18/25 – 9/16/25
Benchmark 2 Window 12/1/25 – 12/19/25
Benchmark 3 Window 3/16/25 – 5/19/26
Time and Format for Dissemination of Results
Results are shared with parents and students after each benchmark window is complete in report form.
PSAT
Subject(s) Assessed
Reading, Writing, Language, and Math
Purpose of the Assessment
To test students in grade 9-11 on the knowledge and skills they need for college in order to inform instruction in the classroom and guide school improvement processes.
Requirement for the Assessment
WV State Board Policy ASSURING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION: REGULATIONS FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS (2510) requires counties/schools to utilized formative assessments.
Amount of Time to Complete the Assessment
Total testing time of 2 hours and 45 minutes
Scheduled Assessment Window
Fall – October 21 & 22, 2025
Spring TBD (9th and 10th only as 11th grade will be taking the SAT)
Time and Format for Dissemination of Results
Scores are reported through the integrated score reporting portal by College Board’s Electronic Reporting System. A single sign-in grants access to score data from every assessment in the SAT Suite of Assessments.
Progress Learning
Subject Assessed: Four core classes
Purpose of the Assessment
To test students in grade 9-11 on the knowledge and skills they need for college in order to inform instruction in the classroom and guide school improvement processes.
Requirement for the Assessment
WV State Board Policy ASSURING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION: REGULATIONS FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS (2510) requires counties/schools to utilized formative assessments.
Scheduled Assessment Window
Benchmark 1 - September 23, 2025 for grades 9, 10, and 11
Benchmark 2 - January 13, 2026 for grades 9, 10, and 11
Benchmark 3 - April 14, 2026 for grades 9 and 10 (SAT for grade 11)