Washington schools met the required 95 percent participation rate on this spring’s new Smarter Balanced tests in third through eighth grades, according to preliminary results released earlier this month. The rate was considerably lower for the 11th grade.

The numbers were distributed by the state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

States and individual districts and schools are required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to reach 95 percent participation on state tests as one way to help ensure schools are meeting the needs of all students.

“I’m proud of the students who participated in the new tests this year,” State Superintendent Randy Dorn said. “Trying something new isn’t easy. My hope is that now that we’ve seen the new tests in action, more students will participate next year, especially in 11th grade. Eleventh graders who score a 3 or 4 on the tests are considered ready for college credit-bearing coursework, and may avoid placement tests once they get into college.”

Final refusal numbers may be different for some districts and will be reported with final score results during OSPI’s press conference on Aug. 17.

Below are numbers from area districts, including the total number of students per grade level along with the number that refused the English Language Arts test and the mathematics test.

Carbonado School District

With 106 students, none opted out of the tests.

Enumclaw School District

– Third grade, 297 students: 8 refused ELA, 6 refused math.

– Fourth grade, 286 students: 7 refused ELA, 7 refused math.

– Fifth grade, 296 students: 11 refused ELA, 10 refused math.

– Sixth grade, 285 students: 4 refused ELA, 5 refused math.

– Seventh grade, 290 students: 4 refused ELA, 4 refused math.

– Eighth grade, 325 students: 0 refused ELA, 0 refused math.

– 10th grade, 310 students: 0 refused ELA, 0 refused math.

– 11th grade, 355 students: 277 refused ELA, 276 refused math.

Sumner School District

– Third grade, 648 students: 7 refused ELA, 7 refused math.

– Fourth grade, 614 students: 8 refused ELA, 6 refused math.

– Fifth grade, 624 students: 4 refused ELA, 4 refused math.

– Sixth grade, 631 students: 5 refused ELA, 4 refused math.

– Seventh grade, 648 students: 10 refused ELA, 10 refused math.

– Eighth grade, 676 students: 7 refused ELA, 7 refused math.

– 10th grade, 824 students: 13 refused ELA, 1 refused math.

– 11th grade, 662 students: 223 refused ELA, 225 refused math.

White River School District

– Third grade, 249 students: 2 refused ELA, 2 refused math.

– Fourth grade, 240 students: 0 refused ELA, 0 refused math.

– Fifth grade, 266 students: 3 refused ELA, 3 refused math.

– Sixth grade, 247 students: 1 refused ELA, 1 refused math.

– Seventh grade, 271 students: 0 refused ELA, 0 refused math.

– Eighth grade, 287 students: 2 refused ELA, 2 refused math.

– 10th grade, 293 students: 0 refused ELA, 0 refused math.

– 11th grade, 301 students: 10 refused ELA, 12 refused math.