Item Specifications
Beginning in 2006 the WASL for grades 3 – 8 and 10 will be based on "revised" or "new" item specifications dated July 2004. Item specifications for grades 4, 7, and 10 are "revised" documents. Item specifications for grades 3, 5, 6, and 8 are "new" documents.

The purpose of this test is to measure the level of mathematics proficiency that Washington students have achieved based on the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs).  Established in July 1998 by the Washington Commission on Student Learning and refined September 2001, March 2003, and July 2004, the Essential Academic Learning Requirements consist of the mathematics concepts and procedures (number sense, measurement, geometric sense, probability and statistics, and algebraic sense) and four fundamental processes (solves problems, reasons logically, communicates understanding, and makes connections).  For assessment purposes, these concepts and procedures and the processes are grouped into the following content and process strands: