As a condition of receiving federal funds, the Every Student Succeeds Act requires state education agencies to implement statewide assessments in mathematics and English language arts every year in third through eighth grade and once in ninth through 12th grade. Many states, however, test math and English language arts more than once in high school.

The federal law also requires a science assessment once in each of three grade spans: third through fifth grade, sixth through ninth grade, and 10th through 12th grade. Few states exceed the science testing requirements, and most states test science in fourth or fifth grade, eighth grade and once in high school through an end-of-course assessment in biology.

While states may exceed the minimum federal testing requirements, the information in this resource covers only those assessments that are mandatory – including social studies or additional college and career readiness assessments, when mandated by the state.