Testing in Grade 1

Grade 1 student tests

In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), grade 1 tests focus on basic literacy and numeracy development. Required tests for first graders are listed in the table below, organized alphabetically by test name. 

Grade 1 Required Tests

Test Name Requirement Source Content Tested Purpose of Test Time Needed* Schedule** Results Distribution
CORE Phonics Division Phonics To measure foundational phonics skills Approx. 15 minutes Aug. 22 to Oct. 20 Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians
Developmental Spelling Analysis (DSA) Division Spelling To measure development of spelling skills Approx. 15 minutes

Aug. 22 to Oct. 20

April 8 to June 7

Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians
iReady 

State (Reading, Oral Reading Fluency)

Division (Mathematics)

Winter ONLY for students below benchmark or not previously tested

Mathematics, Reading, Oral Reading Fluency

To identify gaps in foundational academic skills and measure progress of skill development Approx. 30 minutes per subject

Sept. 5 to Sept. 29

Jan. 3 to Feb. 2

April 22 to May 17

Mailed or published in the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 2 months of the close of the assessment window
Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) Division Intelligence Quotient (IQ) To identify potential Advanced Academic Program services. Approx. 30 minutes  April 3 to April 12 Distributed to parents/guardians within approx. 1 month 
WIDA ACCESS for ELLS

State

ONLY for English learners

Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening To measure annual English language proficiency and progress in compliance with federal law Approx. 5 hours  Jan. 16 to Mar. 15 Distributed to parents/ guardians by the start of the next school year
WIDA Screener

State

ONLY for potential English learners

Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening To determine eligibility for English learner services, in compliance with federal law Approx. 2 hours  Within 14 days of entry from outside Virginia public schools Distributed to parents/ guardians within approx. 1 month

* The amount of time needed for testing varies by student. All times are estimates. 

** Schedule dates represent the window of time during which tests may be given. Each school sets and communicates the specific date for each test.

See other grade level tests

Link to grade level tests.

Find out more about student assessments

Link to student assessment.