Assessments

All Washington teachers are expected to complete one or a combination of four assessments prior to employment.

• All individuals seeking admission to a teacher preparation program must successfully pass a Basic Skills Assessment called the Washington Educator Skills Test Basic (WEST-B). The WEST-B measures knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Prior to teacher certification, all individuals must pass a Content Knowledge Assessment. Individuals seeking a teaching certificate must complete the WEST-E and NES assessments, individuals seeking proficiency in a foreign language must complete the the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) assessment, and all school counselor and school psychologist candidates must pass the Praxis II for Educational Staff Associates specialty area assessment.
• A Performance Assessment is a subject-specific, performance-based evaluation used by teacher preparation programs in Washington to measure and support skills and knowledge of individuals that all teachers need to demonstrate prior to completing a preparation program.