Math & reading standards and testing in Washington
Updated June 2026
Washington's Learning Standards for ELA and math are the Common Core State Standards. Students in grades 3-8 take the Smarter Balanced assessments each spring.
Does Washington hold kids back in 3rd grade for reading?
No. Washington has no 3rd-grade retention gate; promotion is local.
Standards
Washington State Learning Standards
Aligned to the Common Core State Standards, so grade-level skills match what most of the country teaches.
The key test
The Washington state test
Smarter Balanced (SBA) covers both math and reading in grades 3-8.
Reading the results
Spring.
Levels 1 to 4; Level 2+ shows foundational grade-level knowledge, Levels 3 to 4 are proficient.
On grade level means Level 3 or above on the SBA ELA.
What's distinctive about Washington
Washington's SBA is Smarter Balanced-based, and the state describes Level 2 and above as foundational grade-level knowledge.
Practice the skills, by grade
Whatever Washington calls its test, the underlying math and reading skills are grade-level. Practice them directly:
Practice the skills behind the test
Washington teaches the Common Core standards. What a third grader has to do does not change: multiply, find the main idea, read a paragraph and say what it meant. KangarooKiddo drills those skills in daily sessions of a handful of questions that end on their own. You see where your kid actually stands, they earn rewards you set up and approve.
Source: Washington Department of Education. Verified for the 2025-26 school year; policies can change, so confirm with your school.
Nearby states: Alaska · Arizona · California · Colorado
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