The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is a multistate consortium working collaboratively to develop a student assessment system aligned with a common core of academic content standards for English language arts/literacy and mathematics. As a Smarter Balanced governing state, California is a decision-making member. Smarter Balanced assessments are designed to measure student progress toward college and career readiness.
Program Updates
Bimonthly program updates issued by the California Department of Education.
Smarter Balanced Updates
Current update and archived updates sent out to the Smarter Balanced e-mail list.
Technology Components
Technology Readiness Tool
Information on the Web-based tool used by districts to report on the current technology at each school in the district.
Includes links to video training modules, frequently asked questions, and file import layout specifications.
Minimum System Requirements
- Press Release - Smarter Balanced Releases Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications
(04-Dec-2012)
The framework, developed by Navigation North on behalf of the Consortium, provides minimum hardware specifications and basic bandwidth calculations that will allow schools and districts to evaluate which of their existing devices will support the administration of next-generation assessments. - The Smarter Balanced Technology
page has the latest updates to the Smarter Balanced technology requirements.
Resources
Practice Tests
The Smarter Balanced Practice Tests are now available for grades 3 through 8 and
grade 11 in English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The Practice Tests
provide a preview of the Smarter Balanced assessments, but do not reflect the
full range of content that students may encounter on the actual assessments.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Addresses accessibility and accommodations for students who are English learners
and students with disabilities who are taking Smarter Balanced assessments.
Digital Library
The Digital Library is a critical component of the Smarter Balanced system of
assessments and will include a variety of resources to improve teaching and
learning.
Spring 2013 Pilot Test Participating Schools (Posted 31-May-2013)
A pilot test of Smarter Balanced Assessments was conducted between February 20, 2013, and May 24, 2013, in grades three through eleven. This page provides a list of California public schools by county and district that participated in the pilot test.
Preliminary Test Blueprints
(PDF; 11-Dec-2012)
The
preliminary test blueprints describe the content of the English language arts/literacy and mathematics summative assessments for grades three through eight and high school as well as how that content will be assessed. Developed with broad input from member states, partners, and stakeholders, the preliminary test blueprints reflect the depth and breadth of the performance expectations of the Common Core State Standards.
Common Core State Standards
Information and resources about the new academic content standards for English-language arts and mathematics adopted by the State Board of Education on August 2, 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 09-Nov-2012)
Answers to frequently asked Smarter Balanced questions.
Sample Items and Performance Tasks
(Posted 11-Oct-2012)
The samples on the Smarter Balanced Web site illustrate the rigor and complexity of the English language arts/literacy and mathematics items and performance tasks students will encounter on the Smarter Balanced assessments.
Presentations
Links to presentations regarding Smarter Balanced assessment development activities.
Computer Adaptive Testing Webinar
Recorded Webinar addresses the advantages of adaptive testing and the critical decision points in designing, developing and administering an effective computer adaptive assessmentsto measure student achievement and growth.
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Web Site
Main site for the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.
Smarter Balanced Fact Sheets
- What Will Smarter Balanced Assessments Mean for Me?
(PDF)
This one-page handout gives an overview of the assessment system. - Core Components Factsheet
(PDF)
This one-page handout explains the core components of the assessment system. - Computer Adaptive Testing Factsheet
(PDF)
This one-page handout describes the benefits of computer adaptive testing (CAT), which is an integral part of SBAC. - Factsheet for Parents
(PDF)
This one-page handout explains the SBAC system for parents. - Factsheet for Teachers
(PDF)
This one-page handout explains how teachers are involved in the SBAC development process. - Higher Education Factsheet
(PDF)
This one-page handout explains how the SBAC is working with the higher education community. - Factsheet for Policymakers
(PDF)
This one-page handout explains key features of the SBAC system. - Publications and Resources from Smarter Balanced
A complete list of publications and resources available from Smarter Balanced.
