James Crawford
Principal
Ra’Jeanna Conerly
Dean of Students
Pam Kocha
Office Manager
VALHALLA ELEMENTARY
27847 42nd Avenue South
253-945-4300
Auburn, WA 98001
Fax 253-945-4343
March 20, 2015
Dear Families of 3rd Grade Students,
This year, our students are taking the new state assessment, also known as the
Smarter Balanced Assessment.
This new test measures students’ academic achievement in English Language
Arts (ELA) and math -- not just their knowledge in these subjects, but the critical
thinking and problem-solving abilities emphasized by the state’s new standards.
Please review the scoring information below. You may want to keep this handy
for when you child’s scores are received later this spring. More detail is available
on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) webpage at
www.k12.wa.us/assessment.
Creating Minds that
Think and Hearts
that Care!
What do the scores on the new state assessment (SBA) mean?
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A Level 4 indicates a student is “Advanced” in his or her achievement. He
or she has demonstrated a depth of understanding in the content of ELA
and/or math exceeding the state standards.
A Level 3 indicates that a student is “Proficient” in his or her
achievement. He or she has demonstrated adequate understanding of
the content in ELA and/or math, meeting the state standards.
A Level 2 indicates that a student has a “Basic” level of achievement. He
or she has demonstrated a partial understand of the content in ELA
and/or math, but not enough to meet the state standards.
A Level 1 indicates that a student is “Below Basic” in his or her
achievement. He or she demonstrates a minimal understanding in the
content of ELA and/or math, a level that does not meet the state
standards.
We value our students’ parents and guardians as active partners in their education, and the state also
knows their importance. Beginning this school year, all parent/guardians of 3rd grade students who score
Below Basic (Level 1) on the state’s English Language Arts assessment will be provided a time to meet
with the teacher, and other support staff involved in their child’s education.
This meeting is to discuss and plan how best to support the student in reading, writing and
communication (ELA). A variety of options for supporting the student will be made available to accelerate
the learning of each child. A Literacy Success Plan will be designed specifically to meet the needs of each
student and may include activities during the school day, after school, during the summer and even at
home.
Valhalla third graders begin taking the new state assessment at the end of the month. We know this new
test is more rigorous, and much different than previous tests. It’s taken entirely on-line and, like schools
around the state (and country), we have worked hard to prepare our students for this style of testing.
Since it is a completely new test, we cannot compare this year’s scores to those of last year’s third
graders. This year’s results establish a new baseline that future growth will be measured against. Because
this test is so different, it may appear that our students have lost ground. Nothing is farther from the
truth.
Our students are learning, and our teachers’ instructional strategies are better than ever. It will take time
for students and staff to learn and adapt to the new standards and tests, just as it took time to adjust to
the WASL and to the MSP and HSPE assessments. Ultimately, our students will be prepared for college
and career success by doing a higher level of work.
We appreciate your support. For information about how to help your child meet the new state
standards, go to the district website, www.fwps.org, and click on the “Our Teaching” tab, then click on
“Common Core Standards” in the dropdown. Parent resources are listed there and on the linked page,
“New State Assessments.”
Sincerely,
James E. Crawford
Principal