Index of archived SBAC e-mail updates
SBAC CDE News
- SBAC Update at the National Conference on Student Assessment
- Proficiency-Based Learning Task Force Update
- Training Materials for Item Writers and Reviewers on Website
The SBAC CDE weekly update is an email sent each week to inform California educators and parents of new developments and upcoming events. Please feel free to share information in the update with those who are interested in the SBAC CDE’s work.
- SBAC Update at the National Conference on Student Assessment (NCSA)— The NCSA is an annual forum sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (a nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states) that brings together test developers, publishers, education agencies, and other experts to discuss the latest in educational assessment. For over 40 years, the annual NCSA has been the premier forum for assessment professionals of all levels and backgrounds. This year the NCSA conference took place on June 26-June 29. There were several SBAC presentations and discussions on a wide range of issues related to the development of the assessment system and the future of assessments in general. In a session moderated by SBAC Executive Committee Co-Chair Carissa Miller, an update on the progress of the Consortium to date, including the item/task research and development now underway in preparation for the Pilot Test of the assessment system early next year was presented. The presentation is available at the Council of Chief State School Officers Web site
. To view other PowerPoint presentations and other handout materials presented at the NCSA visit the NCSA Web page
. - Proficiency-Based Learning Task Force Update—The Proficiency-Based Learning Task Force held its first Webinar on June 28, with 45 participants from 14 states as well as representatives from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Asia Society, and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The states had an opportunity to share state definitions of proficiency-based learning, explore commonalities across states, and start the discussion on overlaps with the developing SBAC structure
- Training Materials for Item Writers and Reviewers on Web site
— Training materials have been posted on the SBAC website to provide background on the item and performance task development process and to train writers and reviewers.
SBAC CDE Resources
- Join the SBAC CDE electronic mailing list by sending a blank e-mail to subscribe-sbac@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
- To receive Common Core State Standards CDE Updates via e-mail notification, subscribe to the from CDE listserv by sending a blank message to join-commoncore@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
- SBAC CDE Web site—The Smarter Balanced CDE Web site includes access to archived SBAC CDE Updates, resources, and presentations.
- SBAC External Web site—The Smarter Balanced external Web site
showcases the SBAC work and provides frequent updates on activities, milestones, and events. - Smarter News, the SBAC's monthly eNewsletter —Smarter Balanced provides monthly updates on the development of the Smarter Balanced assessment system and activities in member states.
- SBAC is on Twitter—Follow @SmarterBalanced to get resources and links to the latest SBAC news.
- Assembly Bill (AB) 250—The AB 250 Statewide Pupil Assessment Web page provides the latest information about the reauthorization of California's assessment system.
- K-12 Center Report on Technology and Assessments—The K-12 Center at ETS released a new report about how technology impacts assessment through greater accessibility, technology-enhanced items, and personalized learning. Sea Change in Assessment: How Technology Is Transforming K-12 Testing is available online.
SBAC Question/Answer of the Week
Q: Will Smarter Balanced assessments be timed? If so, how will students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or other special needs be impacted?
A: The amount of time that students will work on the assessments will be defined in terms of “sessions.” The length of each session will be based on the amount of time it takes most students—90–95 percent of students—to complete that portion of the assessment. Certainly, there will be students who need additional time, and they will be afforded the opportunity to do so. Additional time to complete the assessment is one of many accommodations that will be available for students with special needs. Member states are collaborating on an accessibility policy framework that will detail how a range of accommodations will be made available.
