Index of archived SBAC e-mail updates
SBAC CDE News
- Governing States re-elect Sigman, Martineau, Hupp to Executive Committee
- Translation Framework Available
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.
- Governing States re-elect Sigman, Martineau, Hupp to Executive Committee — The Governing States have re-elected Deborah Sigman, Deputy Superintendent of Public instruction for the CDE, Dr. Joseph Martineau, Executive Director Bureau of Assessment and Accountability for the Michigan Department of Education, and Dan Hupp, Director of Standards and Assessment for the Maine Department of Education as at-large members of the SBAC Executive Committee. The terms of the positions run through September 30, 2014. The Executive Committee oversees the development of the assessment system and management of funding. The Executive Committee is comprised of two co-chairs, four representatives from four separate Governing States, one representative from the Lead Procurement State (Washington), and two representatives from higher education. SBAC Executive Committee members
and co-chairs are elected by the Governing States. - Translation Framework Available — SBAC commissioned the development of a framework to guide translation of the mathematics assessments for English language learners (ELLs). In addition to addressing the diverse linguistics backgrounds of ELLs, the framework proposes several translation accommodations options and makes recommendations for successfully implementing each alternative in the assessment system. The framework
(PDF) is available on the Consortium’s website.
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.
- New Resources and Webinars on Standards and Assessments—Student Achievement
Partners released ready-to-use professional development modules to assist educators in the implementation of
the Common Core State Standards. These modules contain resources for educators,
including research, discussion topics, activities, web and video tools, and
more.
- SBAC Update Webinar — A recently recorded webinar with Joe
Willhoft provides an overview of the Consortium’s work and upcoming milestones.
The 30-minute presentation covers progress on test design and development;
special populations; technology infrastructure; procurement; and collaboration
and partnerships.
- California Districts Selected for SBAC Small Scale Trials — California districts that were randomly selected for SBAC Small Scale Trial are posted on the CDE Web site.
SBAC Question/Answer of the Week
Q: What are achievement level descriptors?
A: Achievement level descriptors (ALDs) are text statements that articulate the knowledge, skills, and abilities represented at different categories of performance on the Smarter Balanced assessments, including the college- and career-ready category for the high school assessment. They describe how students are progressing toward mastery of the Common Core State Standards and provide clear explanations of student performance for policymakers, educators, and parents. SBAC has developed an inclusive, collaborative process for drafting initial ALDs in collaboration with K-12 teachers and higher education faculty nominated by member states, as well as content experts. Draft ALDs will be available for feedback during a four-month comment period later this year. Preliminary ALDs are expected to be finalized by March 2013 by Governing States.