​Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Skills (WaKIDS)

What is WaKIDS?

The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a transition process that helps to ensure a successful start to the K-12 experience and connect the key adults in a child's life.

Kindergarten teachers observe children during everyday classroom activities. This helps teachers find out what each child knows and can do at the beginning of the school year. Knowing more about children's entering skills and strengths helps teachers and parents work together to support student growth in the kindergarten year.

Who takes WaKIDS?

All TPS kindergartners.

WaKIDS consists of:

  • Family Connection - welcomes families into the Washington K-12 system as partners in their child's education.

  • Whole-Child assessment - helps kindergarten teachers learn about the skills and strengths of the children in their classrooms so they can meet the needs of each child.

  • Early learning collaboration - aligns practices of early learning professionals and kindergarten teachers to support smooth transitions for children.

What skills are on the WaKIDS inventory?

Early in the school year, kindergarten teachers take an inventory of each child's developing skills in six areas:

  • Social-emotional
  • Physical
  • Cognitive
  • Language
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics

When is WaKIDS administered?

The Office of Supervisor of Public Instruction (OSPI) establishes state assessment testing windows each school year. Districts and schools schedule state assessment administration dates within those OSPI windows; please contact your school or assessments@tacoma.k12.wa.us for details regarding planned state assessment dates.

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