ROYAL CITY - Student testing season will kick into full swing in February in the Royal School District, assessment coordinator Rich Gregoire reports.

Starting Feb. 4, students from Kindergarten through 12th grade will be taking the Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (WELPA). This test assesses student ability to speak, listen, read and write in English.

The WELPA will be given between Feb. 4 and March 6 to students who qualify. If you would like more information on WELPA, you may call Gregoire at 509-346-2206 ext. 470 or go on line to the OSPI website.

On Feb. 6, selected Royal Middle School 8th grade students will take the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This is a reading or math test given to students chosen by the NAEP staff as a random sample of RMS 8th graders.

The data from this assessment is used in a national report on educational progress run by the National Center for Education Statistics. If you would like more information on NAEP you may call Gregoire or go online at: nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about

From Feb. 6-8, Royal High School students will take end of course (EOC) exams. EOC tests are Washington State assessments given in algebra, geometry and biology. They are administered in the winter between Jan. 2 and Feb. 8. The test schedule is:

Wednesday Feb. 6, EOC Algebra 8:24-11:02 a.m.

Friday Feb. 8, EOC Geometry 8:24-11:02 a.m.

School for non-testing students on those days will begin at 11:06 a.m. However, the building will be open and teachers not proctoring the test will be available to students at the regular time.

For questions on EOC contact Royal High School 509-346-2256.