High school students across the country take a variety of assessments for different purposes. Achieve has long tracked states’ assessments and how they matter for students and for schools. Historically, the assessments that mattered for students — the ones that have currency in higher education and with employers — rarely factored into school accountability, and the ones that mattered for schools often did not matter to schools. With states’ recent transitions to new assessments and accountability systems, we wanted to know more about how these varied assessments, with varied purposes, matter for students and schools, and whether states are making progress towards a coherent set of policies where all assessments have meaning for schools and students.
The below data explorer details each state's required 2018-19 high school assessments in mathematics, ELA, science, social studies, and career readiness and how those assessments matter for students and schools. The tool also allows for state-to-state comparisons. Select and filter by state(s), whether the assessment matters for students and/or schools, and by subject area. Click on any of the column headers to sort the data. Click on each assessment name option to view a complete profile of the assessment, including the grade(s) student take the assessment, which students take the assessment, additional specifics on how the assessment matters for students and/or schools, and a source link for the information. Alongside the data explorer, we've published a brief that dives into trends across states and additional information about state assessments in grades 3-8.
State![]() |
Assessment Name | Subject Area |
Does this matter for students? |
Does this matter for schools? |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama |
Assessment Name ACT with Writing |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Alabama |
Assessment Name PreACT |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Alabama |
Assessment Name PreACT |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Alabama |
Assessment Name PreACT |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Alabama |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Alaska |
Assessment Name Alaska Science Assessment |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Arizona |
Assessment Name Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) Science |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Arizona |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Arkansas |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
California |
Assessment Name California Science Test (CAST) |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Delaware |
Assessment Name PSAT |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Delaware |
Assessment Name PSAT |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
District of Columbia |
Assessment Name DC Next Generation Science Test (Biology) |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Hawaii |
Assessment Name Biology I EOC |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Hawaii |
Assessment Name ACT with Writing |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Hawaii |
Assessment Name ACT with Writing |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Idaho |
Assessment Name Biology EOC |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Idaho |
Assessment Name Chemistry EOC |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Idaho |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Illinois |
Assessment Name PSAT 10 |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Illinois |
Assessment Name PSAT 10 |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Illinois |
Assessment Name PSAT 8/9 |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Illinois |
Assessment Name PSAT 8/9 |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Indiana |
Assessment Name ILEARN Biology |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Iowa |
Assessment Name Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Kansas |
Assessment Name Kansas Assessment Program Science |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Kentucky |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Louisiana |
Assessment Name English III |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students YesFactored into course grade |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Maine |
Assessment Name Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Maryland |
Assessment Name Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (HS-MISA) |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students NoSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Maryland |
Assessment Name Maryland High School Assessment American Government (MHSA Government) |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Michigan |
Assessment Name ACT WorkKeys |
Subject Career Readiness |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Michigan |
Assessment Name PSAT 10 |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Michigan |
Assessment Name PSAT 10 |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Michigan |
Assessment Name PSAT 8/9 |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Michigan |
Assessment Name PSAT 8/9 |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Minnesota |
Assessment Name Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) Science - Life Science/Biology |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Minnesota |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Missouri |
Assessment Name Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Geometry EOC |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Missouri |
Assessment Name Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) English I EOC |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Missouri |
Assessment Name Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Biology EOC |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Missouri |
Assessment Name Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Physical Science EOC |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Missouri |
Assessment Name Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Government EOC |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Missouri |
Assessment Name Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Personal Finance EOC |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Montana |
Assessment Name Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) in Science |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Nevada |
Assessment Name Math I Emphasis on Algebra I/Integrated Mathematics I |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students YesFactored into course grade |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Nevada |
Assessment Name Math II Emphasis on Geometry/Integrated Mathematics II |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students YesFactored into course grade |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Nevada |
Assessment Name ELA I, Focus on Reading Comprehension |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students NoFactored into course grade |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Nevada |
Assessment Name ELA II, Focus on Writing |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students NoFactored into course grade |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Hampshire |
Assessment Name Statewide Assessment System (SAS) |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Hampshire |
Assessment Name U.S. Government and Civics |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Jersey |
Assessment Name New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) English 11 EOC |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Jersey |
Assessment Name New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) Science |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools NoSee note |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Mexico |
Assessment Name U.S. History EOC |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Mexico |
Assessment Name U.S. Government EOC |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Mexico |
Assessment Name Economics EOC |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Mexico |
Assessment Name New Mexico History EOC |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Mexico |
Assessment Name Geography EOC |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
New Mexico |
Assessment Name World History and Geography EOC |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
North Carolina |
Assessment Name PreACT |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
North Carolina |
Assessment Name PreACT |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
North Dakota |
Assessment Name ACT WorkKeys |
Subject Career Readiness |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
North Dakota |
Assessment Name North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA) |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
North Dakota |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Oklahoma |
Assessment Name U.S. History Assessment |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Oregon |
Assessment Name Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Science |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Oregon |
Assessment Name Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Social Sciences |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
South Carolina |
Assessment Name End of Course Examination Program (EOCEP) English 2 |
Subject ELA |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
South Dakota |
Assessment Name South Dakota Science |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Tennessee |
Assessment Name U.S. History & Geography |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesFactored into course grade |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Tennessee |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Utah |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name Geometry SOL |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name Algebra II SOL |
Subject Mathematics |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name Earth Science SOL |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name Biology SOL |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name Chemistry SOL |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name U.S. and Virginia History SOL |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name Civics and Economics SOL |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name Economics and Personal Finance SOL |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name World History and Geography to 1500 A.D. (C.E.) SOL |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name World History and Geography: 1500 A.D. (C.E.) to the Present SOL |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Virginia |
Assessment Name World Geography SOL |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesSee note |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Washington |
Assessment Name Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
West Virginia |
Assessment Name SAT |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Wisconsin |
Assessment Name ACT with Writing |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Wisconsin |
Assessment Name ACT Aspire |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Wisconsin |
Assessment Name Civics Test |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students YesPassing score required to graduate |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Wisconsin |
Assessment Name Wisconsin Forward Exam |
Subject Social Studies |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Wisconsin |
Assessment Name ACT WorkKeys |
Subject Career Readiness |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |
Wyoming |
Assessment Name The Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP) science |
Subject Science |
Matters for Students No |
Matters for Schools No |
Statewide Postsecondary Policy? |