Assessment

Each year, WUHS students take part in a variety of standardized tests that are required by the state or federal government.  Performance on many of these standardized tests can affect various aspects of school funding.  Although we believe that it is much more important that a student receive a true and lasting education than simply be trained to perform well on a test, we recognize the importance of these exams and strive to ensure that our students are adequately prepared to excel on each test.

The government-mandated tests administered by WUHS include:

CAHSEE

Beginning with the class of 2005/2006, all graduating seniors are required to take and pass the California High School Exit Exam.  The test measures proficiency in reading, writing, and math and will be required for graduation.

CELDT

The California English Language Development Test measures the initial level and annual progress of English language proficiency in students whose primary language is one other than English.

SABE

The Spanish Assessment of Basic Education (2nd Edition) assess the education level of Spanish-speaking students who have migrated to the United States within the past year and helps determine their grade level placement.

AP EXAMS

Advanced Placement Exams are given at the the conclusion of each Advanced Placement course.  A passing score on the exam awards college credit to the student for the class.

SAT and PSAT

The Scholastic Aptitude Test is typically taken in the junior or senior year.  It measures the verbal and math skills and is part of the entrance requirements for almost all American undergraduate colleges.  Washington Union High School also provides the Pre-SAT, which is structured similar to the SAT, but is administered in the sophomore year.  In addition to giving a student and indication how he or she may score on the SAT, the PSAT is used to award National Merit Scholarship.

ACT

The ACT Assessment is an alternative college admission test, which is designed to assess the general education development and ability of high school students to complete college-level work.  The tests cover fours skill areas: English, Mathematics, reading, and science reasoning.

CAT/6 and CST

The California Achievement Test (6th edition) and the California Standards Test are replacing the SAT/9 (Stanford Achievement Test, 9th edition).  Required by the federal government, the test measures  student’s proficiency in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science.  The CAT/6 compares each student’s score with other students around the country and the CST compare the scores on a statewide level.