Washington Revised Code Title 28A. Common School Provisions § 28A.655.200. Norm-referenced assessments--Diagnostic assessments

(1) The legislature intends to permit school districts to offer norm-referenced assessments, make diagnostic tools available to school districts, and provide funding for diagnostic assessments to enhance student learning at all grade levels and provide early intervention before the high school statewide student assessment.

(2) In addition to the diagnostic assessments provided under this section, school districts may, at their own expense, administer norm-referenced assessments to students.

(3) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall post on its website for voluntary use by school districts, a guide of diagnostic assessments. The assessments in the guide, to the extent possible, shall include the characteristics listed in subsection (4) of this section.

(4) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this purpose, beginning September 1, 2007, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall make diagnostic assessments in reading, writing, mathematics, and science in elementary, middle, and high school grades available to school districts. Subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall also provide funding to school districts for administration of diagnostic assessments to help improve student learning, identify academic weaknesses, enhance student planning and guidance, and develop targeted instructional strategies to assist students before the high school statewide student assessment. To the greatest extent possible, the assessments shall be:

(5) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall offer training at statewide and regional staff development activities in: