New social studies readiness assessments support student growth

8/12/2026

Social studies readiness assessments available for grades 4 and 6

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is launching, for the first time, Readiness Assessments in social studies for grades 4 and 6. This includes:

• The availability of two full-length Benchmark Tests, which allows for pre- and post-testing if desired by schools and districts. Benchmark tests align to Ohio social studies blueprints and provide a scaled score for the student.
• Checkpoint Assessments that can be administered as appropriate throughout the year to inform instruction based on a district’s curricular sequence.

Ohio law requires each district or school to teach and assess social studies in at least grades 4 and 6. Any assessment in these areas is determined by the district or school, and results of this assessment are not reported to the Department. As part of a balanced system of local informal and formative assessments, the Readiness Assessments can help schools identify student progress quickly using assessments aligned with Ohio's Learning Standards.

To assist districts in complying with this requirement, districts may want to consider using these readiness assessments to meet the statutory requirement to assess social studies in grades 4 and 6. Grades 4 and 6 social studies items will continue to be in Assessment Authoring.

These new assessments can be found on the Readiness Assessments section of the state test portal.

Direct questions to statetests@education.ohio.gov.