Every year, Delaware districts and charter schools administer assessments, alongside other recurring tests, in order to create a balanced assessment system aimed at supporting student growth.
DeSSA and State-mandated Testing Calendar:
Districts and charters choose to administer the test between early April and one week before the end of May each year.
| Test Names | Grades Tested | Test Dates |
|---|---|---|
| DeSSA ELA and Mathematics | Grades 3-8 | April 13 – May 22 |
| DeSSA ELA and Mathematics | Paper/Pencil accommodation | April 13 – May 8 |
| DeSSA Science | Grades 5, 8, and Biology | April 13 – May 22 |
| DeSSA Science | Paper/Pencil accommodation | April 13 – May 8 |
| DeSSA Social Studies | Grades 4, 6, 8: Admin 1 | November 3 – December 5 |
| DeSSA Social Studies | Grades 4, 6, 8: Admin 2 | February 9 – February 27 |
| DeSSA Social Studies | Grades 4, 6, 8: Admin 3 | May 4 – May 22 |
| DeSSA Social Studies | Grades 5, 7: Admin 1 | January 12 – January 30 |
| DeSSA Social Studies | Grades 5, 7: Admin 2 | May 4 – May 22 |
| DeSSA Social Studies | Grade 11 | April 13 – May 22 |
| DeSSA Social Studies | Paper/Pencil accommodation | April 13 – May 8 |
| SAT School Day (online) | Grade 11, make-up days and accomm | March 2 – 27 |
| DCPS | OBS 1 | November 3 – December 2 |
| DCPS | OBS 2 | February 2 – March 2 |
| DCPS | OBS 3 | April 15 – May 15 |
| DeSSA-Alt | ELA and Math: Grades 3-8, 11 | September 8 – December 19 |
| DeSSA-Alt | Opt. Science: Grade 5, 8, 10 | September 8 – December 19 |
| DeSSA-Alt | ELA and Math: Grades 3-8, 11 | February 2 – May 15 |
| DeSSA-Alt | Required Science: Grade 5, 8, 10 | February 2 – May 15 |
| ACCESS | N/A | January 26 – March 20 |
| NAEP | Grades 4, 8 | January 26 – March 20 |
Optional: Smarter Interim and Tools for Teachers – September 8, 2025 – July 26, 2026
Download a PDF of the Delaware System of Student Assessments (DeSSA) State Mandated Testing Calendar.
