On June 9, 2011, California joined the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) as a governing state. The SBAC is a national consortium of 25 states that have been working collaboratively to develop a student assessment system aligned to a common core of academic content standards. Of those, California is one of 21 governing states, which allows decision-making participation. The remaining four are advisory states. The SBAC focus is on assessing students annually in grades three through eight in English-language arts and mathematics and once in grades ten through twelve under current federal requirements.
Electronic Mailing List
Join the SBAC electronic mailing list by sending a blank e-mail to subscribe-sbac@mlist.cde.ca.gov. To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to unsubscribe-sbac@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
SBAC E-mail Updates
An archive of e-mail updates sent out to the SBAC electronic mailing 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
- SBAC Guidelines on Purchasing New Hardware (v 1.2, June 2012)
(PDF)
The guidelines are designed to inform schools and districts on current and future technology purchasing decisions consistent with SBAC requirements. The guidelines include hardware and operating system specifications covering the vast majority of commercially available computers and tablets. - New Hardware Purchasing Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions
(PDF)
Information Technology Systems Architecture
- Press Release - Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Releases IT Systems Architecture
- IT Systems Architecture Reports and Resources
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 09-Nov-2012)
Answers to
frequently asked SBAC questions.
Sample Items and Performance Tasks
(New 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.
Districts With Schools Selected for the SBAC Small Scale Trials
A list of California districts who have been randomly selected by Smarter Balanced to be part of the Small Scale Trial in the Fall of 2012.
Presentations
A list of links to presentations on the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium.
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 assessments to measure student achievement and growth.
SBAC Factsheets
- 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.
External Sources
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Web Site
Main site for the Smarter Balanced state-led consortium.