State testing is on the horizon. This year is the last year of testing with a test called OAKS. Starting next year we will use a test from Smarter Balanced. Other states are already using the Smarter Balanced tests and they are finding that for the most part student scores on these tests have decreased in comparison to their previous test results. We are also anticipating some drop in test scores. Because passing state tests in reading, writing and math is now a requirement for graduation it will be very important for all students to focus on doing their absolute best on each test. Any junior, sophomore or freshman who passes state test this year, on OAKS will have met graduation requirements for that assessment. Scores from this year will be "banked" so that students don't have to pass tests twice. Another way of meeting the writing, math and reading requirement is to pass what are called local assessments. These are typically classroom assignments that are graded using the state scoring guide. Students can meet the requirement by passing two of these in each area during the course of a class. There will be many opportunities to do local assessments starting in the 9th grade.