State Assessment Guides

In This Section

Meeting Grade Level Expectations

State tests are an objective way of showing how well students met the expectations of the grade level. They are only one of many measures and aren’t meant to tell the whole story of a student’s performance. They should be combined with other information, such as report card grades, classwork and teacher observations to give families a more complete picture of their child’s academic performance.


2021 Assessment Differences


Due to the pandemic and sudden school closures in spring 2020, state tests were waived in every state across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to impact students well into the 2020-2021 school year. As a result, state tests will look different this year to address the unprecedented situation. Many states have put changes in place to make sure the tests do not take time away from learning, or create additional stress or anxiety in students or teachers during an already challenging year.



Family Guide to State Tests

National PTA created resources for each state to give families the important information about the state test both in spring 2021 and beyond:

  • Measuring Student Learning in 2021 has specific details about how each state’s test may be different this spring as a result of the pandemic.

  • The Family Guide to the Annual State Test includes general information about each state’s test, including grades and subjects tested, how the results are used and links to additional resources.

Click on your state to access both of these resources. Share them in your community and with your local PTA to ensure every family has access to this important information.

Map of the United States A map showing all 50 states in the US plus Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, The US Virgin Islands, and Armed Forces Europe and the Middle East EU DC

  • European PTA


    No current guide.
    No current guide.

Puerto Rico

  • Puerto Rico PTA


    No current guide.
    No current guide.

US Virgin Islands

  • U.S. Virgin Islands PTA


    No current guide.
    No current guide.



Annual State Tests

  1. Click your State

  2. View the PDF resources that appear below the map





Messaging for PTAs to Share these Resources


Help families in your community de-mystify state assessments! Spread the word about our NEW Family Guides to State Assessments by using the sample messaging in our toolkit.

Customizable PTA Website Copy
Sample E-blast Announcement
Sample Newsletter Copy
Sample Social Media Posts