Expedited Assessment Appeals (EAA) FAQ

Some students in the Classes of 2014 through 2020 are eligible for the expedited assessment appeals waiver (in English language arts, math, or both). To obtain a waiver, first the student must have met all eligibility requirements. Second, the student must demonstrate that they have attained the skills and knowledge to meet the high school standards and possesses the skills necessary to successfully achieve the college or career goals established in their high school and beyond plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which students are eligible for an EAA?

Some students in the Classes of 2014 through 2020 are eligible to pursue an Expedited Assessment Appeal (EAA). A student must meet the following eligibility requirements, by graduation cohort, to pursue submission of an EAA (to be granted a waiver, they must also meet approval requirements):

• Students in the Classes of 2014 through 2017, and 2020 are eligible to submit an Expedited Assessment Appeal if they have met all other applicable graduation requirements.
• Students in the Class of 2018 are eligible if:

(1) They have met all other applicable graduation requirements; AND
(2) They have attempted an alternative assessment option as established in RCW 28A.655.065 before submitting a waiver request. Alternative assessment options include SAT, ACT, AP, or IB tests; Second attempt on the Smarter Balanced Assessment; GPA comparison; Collections of Evidence submitted by June 2017; or Certificate of Individual Achievement options.

For an EAA to be approved, what are the pathways a student could take to show the skills and college/career path?

Pathways for demonstrating include, but are not limited to:

(A) Completion of a college-level course in the relevant subject area (that does not meet Dual Credit graduation pathway criteria)
(B) Admission to a higher education institution or career preparation program
(C) Scholarship for higher education
(D) Military enlistment
(E) Other demonstration of student's skills and knowledge
(F) Other - Student was enrolled in a 2020 course that would have met a graduation pathway, but the credit was waived.
(G) Other - Student intended to take a test (such as Smarter Balanced, ACT, SAT, ASVAB, or LDA) to demonstrate proficiency, but the test session was cancelled in spring 2020.

Students may have demonstrated the skills and knowledge to meet the graduation standard in various ways outside the defined EAA categories. Evidence for the “Other” category could be a student statement describing the (math or ELA) skills needed for their post-secondary plans and career goals, and how their courses have prepared them for those plans. Similarly, the student’s High School and Beyond Plan may contain enough specific information regarding the student’s plans, goals, and achievements. Student projects, writings, or other accomplishments exhibiting their knowledge and skills in the content area may also be sufficient to demonstrate they have achieved the graduation standard.

For the other category, how can a student show they have the required knowledge?

Students may have demonstrated the skills and knowledge to meet the graduation standard in various ways outside the defined EAA categories. Evidence for the “Other” category could be a student statement describing the (math or ELA) skills needed for their post-secondary plans and career goals, and how their courses have prepared them for those plans. Similarly, the student’s High School and Beyond Plan may contain enough specific information regarding the student’s plans, goals, and achievements. Student projects, writings, or other accomplishments exhibiting their knowledge and skills in the content area may also be sufficient to demonstrate they have achieved the graduation standard.

I'm a student and I want to do one of these appeals. What should I do?

You should contact your school counselor to have them check to see if you meet eligibility, as well as approval, requirements. Additionally, if you are a member of the class of 2018, you will need to provide them with evidence that you have attempted an assessment graduation alternative (i.e. SAT, ACT, AP test, etc.). Your counselor can then work with district staff to submit the waiver.

Can a student submit the request directly to OSPI?

No. District Assessment Coordinators (or their Designees) are the only personnel in the district authorized to submit Expedited Assessment Appeals to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

How does a district submit students for this appeal process?

After gathering the appropriate documentation for a student, districts may have their District Assessment Coordinators and their Designees submit Expedited Assessment Appeals for students. These appeals are submitted through the Expedited Assessment Appeals tab in the Graduation Alternatives application within the Education Data System (EDS).

Can students who haven't been enrolled this year still get their diploma?

Yes. As long as the student is in the class of 2014-2020, meets eligibility and approval requirements, and has not already been granted a diploma by the district, then they may pursue an Expedited Assessment Appeal Waiver.

How long does the process take?

The approval occurs when the District Assessment Coordinator (or Designee) submit the waiver. The waiver will take one business day to be reflected in the graduation pathways database.

I need to enter a student for an expedited appeal, but am unable to view the Expedited Assessment Appeal (EAA) tool in the Graduation Alternatives application. How can I get this fixed so I have access?

In order to access and use the EAA tool, you must be a District Assessment Coordinator (or their Designees). Only those who possess these user roles in the Graduation Alternatives application are authorized to submit Expedited Assessment Appeals Waivers for students. Please contact your District Data Security Manager if you do not have the appropriate role assigned in the application.

What counts as a graduation alternatives attempt for class of 2018 students who wish to apply for the Expedited Assessment Appeal (EAA)? What type of documentation is required?

The following are graduation alternative options potentially available to a class of 2018 student, as well as a description of appropriate documentation:

• SAT/ACT/IB/AP test: A score report showing that the student did not meet designated cut score in the respective content area.
• Second attempt on the Smarter Balanced Assessment in the respective content area.
• Collection of Evidence (COE): A score report or record showing that the student did not meet the designated cut score in the respective content area.
• GPA comparison: GPA comparison results showing that the student had a 3.2 cumulative GPA, over 2 credits in the given content area, and had taken an EOC and/or SBA in the respective content area.
• Dual Credit: A copy of the high school transcript for the completed (but not passed) dual credit college-level (100 level or above) course.

No documentation is required for submission within the application. School districts are expected to retain all verifying documentation within the student's cumulative folder, in accordance with current records retention schedules.

Since the Expedited Assessment Appeal (EAA) Waiver can be granted to students from classes of 2014 through 2020, how do I report the new graduation statuses to CEDARS?

For information on how to report these graduation statuses in CEDARS, please see OSPI guidance on reporting students issued a high school diploma via the EAA process, published in issue 2017.17 of the Washington Assessment Weekly on September, 12, 2017.