With new state standards, students are working harder, thinking more critically, and applying their learning to the real world. To measure these new standards, educators from states using Smarter assessments have worked together to develop new, high-quality tests in English and Math. 

• Grades: 3-8 and 11
• Subject Matter Assessed: ELA, Math
• Math: 2 sessions, 1-2 hours each; English Language Arts: 2 sessions, 1-2 hours each (7 Hours Total)

More information is available at http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents/

South Dakota English Language Arts Alternate & Math Alternate Assessment

• Grades: 3-8 and 11
• Session times vary per individual student needs 

The South Dakota Science Assessment measures students’ mastery of the South Dakota State Academic Standards in Science. This test will cover the grade spans of 3-5, 6-8, and high school. Questions will come equally as possible from life, physical, and earth sciences at all 3 tested levels. The assessment will be completely online.

• Grades: 5, 8 & 11
• Subject Matter Assessed: Science
• 1 Session, 1-1.5 hours 

South Dakota Science Alternate Assessment

The South Dakota Science tests measure students’ mastery of the South Dakota State Academic Standards in Science adopted in May 2015. 3-5, 6-8, and high school. Questions will come equally as possible from life, physical, and earth sciences at all 3 tested levels. The assessment will be completely online. 

• Grades: 5, 8 & 11
• Subject Matter Assessed: Science
• Session times vary per individual student needs

NAEP is often called “the Nation’s Report Card,” and is the only nationally represented and continuing assessment of what America’s students know and can do in various subjects. Its two major goals are to measure student achievement and to report change in student performance over time. The NAEP is given to a sampling of students across the nation. The results of the NAEP are given for the entire nation as well as individual states. Results are also given for specific groups of students, e.g. gender, racial and ethnic groups, and National School Lunch Program eligibility. The NAEP is given to many South Dakota students in reading and mathematics every two years. 

• Grades: 4 & 8
• Assessment will take approximately 2 hours

ACCESS for ELL- stands for Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners. This large-scale test addresses the academic English language proficiency (ELP) standards at the core of the WIDA Consortium's approach to instructing and evaluating the progress of English learners. ACCESS for ELLs is taken annually by identified English learners to measure their English proficiency. The South Dakota Department of Education requires ELs in Grades K-12 be administered the online version except in cases where online testing is not allowed. There are many benefits to the online testing, increased student engagement through the more dynamic testing experience, built-in accommodations, and accessibility features appropriate, to name a few. With the online version, multiple grades can be administered and finally, increased ease for TAs, who will no longer need to administer and score the Speaking test one-on-one. Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs continues to be paper-based and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs will remain the same. ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 paper-based assessment will be available for districts that are not allowed online testing. The paper-based version will also be available as an accommodation. 

• Grades: K-12 
• Subjects: Reading, Speaking, Listening, Writing
• Required for all EL students
• More information is available at:  https://doe.sd.gov/Assessment/elp.aspx

More information about these required assessments can be found here: http://doe.sd.gov/Assessment/

The NCRC is given to High School Juniors and Seniors. Schools work with CTE and the Department of Labor to schedule a time for the assessment at the school. The NCRC is an industry-recognized, portable credential certifying essential skills needed for workplace success.  To earn certification, students must attain at least the lowest certification level on three ACT Work Keys assessments: Applied Mathematics, Reading and life ready.” Scores are sent to the school to be distributed to students as soon as possible.

• Grades: 11
• 1 Session, 3 hours 

WIDA EL Assessments (English Language Learners/all grades): The WIDA is an English language proficiency assessment given to incoming students in Grades K-12 to assist educators with the identification of students as English learners (EL). The WIDA screener is administered to students identified through the registration process. The purpose of this assessment is to help educators make decisions about whether a student is deemed eligible for EL services. Administration takes about two hours.

• Grades: K-12 
• Subjects: Reading, Speaking, Listening, Writing

ASVAB is given to High School Juniors. Seniors can take it if they missed it their junior year or want to retake in order to improve their score. It is given during school hours and scheduled through ASVAB typically in the fall. It is not required. ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students. The assessment is given by a Proctor from the military and the National Guard will explain results to students.

• Grades: 10
• 1 Session, 3 hours 

The ACT test is the nation’s most popular college entrance exam accepted and valued by all universities and colleges in the United States. The ACT is based on what students learn in high school and provides personalized information about their strengths for education and career planning. The ACT is not a required assessment. It is not administered during school hours. You must register for it and there is a fee to take the exam. Results are available online within 2 weeks after your test date. Students must log in through their student web account with ACT to see scores.

• Grades: 10, 11, 12
• 1 Session, 3 hours 

The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a practice version of the SAT exam. You can only take the PSAT once per year, and many students take the test in both 10th and 11th grade. If you earn a high score on the PSAT your junior year, you could qualify to receive a National Merit Scholarship—$180 million dollars in merit scholarships are awarded to students each year. The PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes long and tests your skills in reading, writing, and math. Unlike the SAT, the highest score possible on the PSAT is 1520. The PSAT has two sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. Unlike the SAT, PSAT registration is not facilitated by the College Board. Instead, students register for the PSAT through their high schools. Your child's high school or college counseling office will tell you how and when to sign up for the PSAT. If you haven't received PSAT registration information by the fall of your child's junior year, you should call your child's school or college counselor.

• Grades: Interested 10 & 11
• 1 Session, 3 hours