Washington Released Spring 2026 Academic Assessment Data
State and Tri-City test results provide families with a clear look at local student performance metrics.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Do you feel the quality of public schools in your area is improving?
In September 2026, Washington state released the results from the spring 2026 academic assessments. The data highlights current proficiency levels for students across the state and the Tri-City region.
Why it matters
These results provide insight into current achievement gaps between income groups, which remain at 25-27 percentage points statewide. Understanding these trends helps families gauge academic progress and the local impact of post-pandemic attendance shifts.
Statewide proficiency reached 74% in English, 67% in math, and 74% in science. Within the Tri-Cities, attendance remains high, with 75% of Kennewick, 73% of Pasco, and 76% of Richland students recording fewer than two monthly absences.
The players
Kennewick School District
A public education entity currently focusing on early childhood literacy and new classroom engagement instruments.
Pasco School District
A regional school district reporting that 73% of its students have fewer than two monthly absences.
Richland School District
The only district in the Tri-Cities area with a lower poverty rate than the state average.
The details
Students take the Smarter Balanced Assessment in English and math from grades 3 through 8, and again as high school sophomores. The Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science is administered in grades 5, 8, and 11. Administrators noted that behavioral changes since the pandemic, specifically regarding sickness and remote work, have influenced current student attendance rates.
Timeline
Students completed academic assessments during the spring of 2026.
Washington state officials released the spring assessment data in September 2026.
The Home Front
These assessments operate within the framework of the Smarter Balanced Assessment, which provides a consistent metric for tracking academic standards across the state. The data reflects how local districts navigate long-term performance trends relative to statewide benchmarks.
Review your student's grade-level assessment scores to identify specific areas for potential extra support this school year. Families should also consider the district attendance data, which underscores the importance of maintaining consistent daily schedules for academic success.
The takeaway
The latest state assessment results show a stable academic performance in the Tri-City area despite ongoing statewide achievement gaps. Families should review individual test reports to understand their student's progress toward grade-level benchmarks.
Further reading
You can find more data on local academic standards in the secondary education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tri-City Herald.
Live Poll
Do you feel the quality of public schools in your area is improving?
