Which assessments apply to my student?
Select a grade to see the assessments that generally apply. Program-specific and selected-population tests are clearly marked.
Choose a grade above.
2026–2027 testing calendar
These are HCSD testing windows. Your school will communicate the student’s exact testing date(s) within the window.
District calendar first: This family hub uses HCSD’s adopted assessment windows for local local planning and also includes the Nevada Department of Education calendar as a reference resource.
August–October
Teaching Strategies GOLD / KEA
K · Aug 17–Oct 21
K · Aug 17–Oct 21
i-Ready Fall
K–8 · Aug 24–Sep 11
K–8 · Aug 24–Sep 11
Nov–December
i-Ready Winter
K–8 · Nov 30–Dec 18
K–8 · Nov 30–Dec 18
January
WIDA ACCESS
K · Jan 4–Feb 26
K · Jan 4–Feb 26
WIDA ACCESS
1–12 · Jan 11–Feb 26
1–12 · Jan 11–Feb 26
NAEP
Selected students · Jan 26–Mar 20
Selected students · Jan 26–Mar 20
February
CTE
Program completers · Feb 8–Mar 19
Program completers · Feb 8–Mar 19
ACT
Grade 11 · Main paper date Feb 23; online/accommodated windows extend into Mar 5
Grade 11 · Main paper date Feb 23; online/accommodated windows extend into Mar 5
March–May
SBAC
Grades 3–8 · Mar 9–May 4
Grades 3–8 · Mar 9–May 4
Nevada Science
Grades 5, 8, 10 · Mar 9–May 4
Grades 5, 8, 10 · Mar 9–May 4
NAA
Applicable students · Mar 9–May 12
Applicable students · Mar 9–May 12
i-Ready Spring
K–8 · May 3–May 21
K–8 · May 3–May 21
April make-ups
ACT Make-up 1
Paper Apr 6; accommodated/online Apr 6–9 & Apr 12–16
Paper Apr 6; accommodated/online Apr 6–9 & Apr 12–16
ACT Make-up 2
Paper Apr 20; accommodated/online Apr 20–23 & Apr 26–30
Paper Apr 20; accommodated/online Apr 20–23 & Apr 26–30
CTE Make-ups/Retakes
Apr 12–23
Apr 12–23
What each assessment is for
Short descriptions based on the district and state assessment materials.
Teaching Strategies GOLD / KEA
StateKindergartenKindergarten Entry Assessment used at the start of the school year.
i-Ready Diagnostic
State RBG3DistrictK–8HCSD interim assessment and Nevada Read by Grade 3 universal screener. Administered in fall, winter, and spring.
WIDA ACCESS 2.0
StateEnglish LearnersMeasures English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for students identified as English Learners.
Smarter Balanced (SBAC)
StateGrades 3–8State summative assessment in English language arts and mathematics.
Nevada Science
StateGrades 5, 8, 10State science assessment for the listed grade levels.
ACT
StateGrade 11Nevada’s college and career readiness assessment for 11th-grade students; includes English language arts and mathematics.
Nevada Alternate Assessment (NAA)
StateSelected populationAlternate assessment administered to applicable students in grades 3–8 and 11 during the state testing window.
CTE Assessments
StateProgram completersWorkplace Readiness Skills and End-of-Program Technical Skills assessments for Career & Technical Education program completers.
NAEP
NationalSelected studentsThe National Assessment of Educational Progress is administered only to selected students/schools in designated subjects and grades.
Testing access: tools, supports & accommodations
Nevada organizes assessment access features into three categories. The key difference is who may use them and how the decision is documented.
Universal Tools
Available to all students based on student preference and selection. Examples in the UAAG include highlighter, masking, line guide, notepad, scratch/graph paper, and test directions read aloud in English.
Designated Supports
May be used by any student when an educator/team identifies the need before testing. HCSD requires the Designated Supports Form to be on record with the School Site Test Coordinator and completed 30 days prior to testing.
IEP/504 Accommodations
For students with an IEP or Section 504 Plan. The accommodation must align with the plan and have been used in classroom instruction and assessment for at least 30 days before state testing.
Important HCSD i-Ready Text-to-Speech guidance
Fall: Text-to-Speech is not permitted on the i-Ready Diagnostic so HCSD can establish an accurate baseline of independent student performance.
Winter & Spring: Teams should use caution when considering Text-to-Speech because i-Ready Diagnostic results directly influence MyPath and i-Ready Pro instructional pathways. A score elevated by TTS may result in instructional placement that does not reflect the student’s independent skill level.
How families can help
Simple supports before and during a testing window.
Before testing
Watch for school communication about exact dates. Help your student arrive on time, rested, and ready for the school day.
Ask about supports early
If your student regularly uses testing or instructional supports, contact the school before the testing window so the appropriate team can review what is permitted and what documentation is needed.
Focus on steady effort
Encourage your student to read directions carefully, use the tools available to them, and show what they know. Nevada Summative and Science assessments are untimed for students working productively.
Official calendars, forms & guidance
Open or download the source documents included with this web page.
HCSD Assessment Calendar 2026–2027One-page district testing windows.
Open PDFNevada Department of Education Test CalendarState accountability assessment calendar.
Open PDFHCSD Designated Supports FormFor supports identified by an educator/team prior to testing.
Open PDFIEP/504 Testing Accommodations FormState summative and science accommodation documentation.
Open PDFNevada UAAG 2026–2027Full descriptions of Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and Accommodations.
Open PDFHCSD i-Ready Text-to-Speech GuidanceDistrict guidance for Fall, Winter, and Spring i-Ready windows.
Open PDFFamily FAQ
Quick answers to common testing questions.
Does every student take every test listed?
No. Some assessments are grade-level requirements, while others apply only to students in a particular program or selected population—for example WIDA ACCESS, CTE assessments, NAA, and NAEP.
Are the dates on this page my child’s exact testing dates?
Usually not. Most dates are testing windows. Schools select exact testing dates inside those windows and communicate schedules to families.
What is the difference between a designated support and an accommodation?
A designated support may be used by any student when a knowledgeable educator/team identifies a need before testing. An accommodation is tied to a student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan and must be documented and used regularly before state testing.
Are state summative tests timed?
The Nevada Summative and Science assessments measure proficiency rather than speed and are untimed; students working productively must be given adequate time to finish.
Can Text-to-Speech be used on the i-Ready Diagnostic?
HCSD does not permit TTS during the Fall i-Ready Diagnostic. For Winter and Spring, teams must carefully consider whether TTS is appropriate because diagnostic performance affects the student’s personalized MyPath or i-Ready Pro pathway.
Who should I contact with a question about my student’s testing supports?
Start with your student’s school. The school can connect you with the appropriate teacher, case manager, 504/IEP team, English Learner team, or School Site Test Coordinator as needed.
This guide summarizes source documents provided for HCSD 2026–2027 assessment planning. For official implementation details, use the original source documents.