Office Of Assessment
The goal of the SD Department of Education is that all high school students graduate college, career, and life ready. To this aim, the South Dakota assessment system is designed to provide districts, schools, and parents with the information they need to ensure that their students remain on track to reach this goal. South Dakota public school students participate in annual summative testing in English language arts and mathematics and the results of these tests are included in the state accountability system. In addition to annual tests in English language arts and mathematics, South Dakota requires assessment of science and writing annually and provides schools and teachers with resources to utilize other assessments to help identify strengths and areas for improvement.
South Dakota Assessment Gateway- SD ELA and Math, Science, and Science-Alt Assessments
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- SD ELA and Math General Education Assessments
- SD ELA and Math Alternate Assessment
- SD Science Assessment
- SD Science Alternate Assessment
- SD English Language Proficiency Assessment (ACCESS 2.0)
- NAEP- National Assessment of Educational Progress
- Other Assessments (Optional)
- Parent Communication
- During the Assessment
- Accommodation Memo
- Districtwide Assessment Policy Guidance
- Reading Passages (Gr 3-5)
- Reading Passages (Gr 6-11)
- Special Accommodation Consideration
- Print on Demand

Name of Required Assessment | Tested Grade Level | 2021-22 Test Window (all dates are tentative) |
---|---|---|
SD ELA and Math Assessments
Subject: English language arts, Math |
3-8, 11 | March 2 — May 6, 2022 |
SD ELA and Math Alternate Assessments
Subject: English language arts, Math |
3-8, 11 Students with most severe cognitive disabilities |
March 14 — April 29, 2022 |
SD Science Assessment
Subject: Science |
5, 8, 11 | March 2 — May 6, 2022 |
SD Science Alternate Assessment
Subject: Science |
5, 8, 11 Students with most severe cognitive disabilities |
March 2 — May 6, 2022 |
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Subject: Reading, Math, (every other year) |
4 and 8 | January 24 — March 31, 2022 |
SD English Language Proficiency Assessment (ACCESS 2.0)
Subject: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening |
K-12 | January 24 — February 25, 2022 |