Smarter Balanced Assessment System Overview - A Summary

Oct 3, 2026

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Overview of the Smarter Balanced Assessment System for Connecticut State Department of Education Assessment Literacy Workshops on January 13–14, 2014. Covers summative, interim, and formative assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards, including the goals of Next Generation Assessments, online administration, common cut scores, and use of multiple measures. Includes support for special populations, details on consortium structure, and a facts-versus-myths section emphasizing transparency and privacy compliance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages47

Reading Time1 h 58 min

AccessFree to download

Presentation Outline

Introductions

Common Core State Standards

Overview of the Smarter Balanced Assessment System

Support for Special Populations

Smarter Balanced Facts Versus Myths

Overview of the Smarter Balanced Assessment System: Summative, Interim, and Formative Connecticut State Department of Education Assessment Literacy Workshops January 13 and 14, 2014 Contact Information Gail Pagano, Smarter Balanced K-12 State Lead: [Gail.Pagano@ct.gov](Gail.Pagano@ct.gov) [860-713-6821](860-713-6821) Joe Di Garbo, Connecticut Teacher Involvement Coordinator and Formative System/Digital Library Lead: [Joe.Digarbo@ct.gov](Joe.Digarbo@ct.gov)[ ](Joe.Digarbo@ct.gov)[860-713-6863](860-713-6863) Special Populations: Joe Amenta: Janet Stuck: [Joseph.Amenta@ct.gov](Joseph.Amenta@ct.gov) [Janet.Stuck@ct.gov](Janet.Stuck@ct.gov) [860-713-6855 860-713-6837](860-713-6855 860-713-6837) Presentation Outline • Introductions • Common Core State Standards • Overview of the Smarter Balanced Assessment System • Support for Special Populations "The world is small now, and we're not just competing with students in our county or across the state. We are competing with the world," said Robert Kosicki, who graduated from a Georgia high school this year after transferring from Connecticut and having to repeat classes because the curriculum was so different. "This is a move away from the time when a student can be punished for the location of his home or the depth of his father's pockets." Excerpt from Fox News, Associated Press. (June 2, 2010) States join to establish 'Common Core' standards for high school graduation. Common Core State Standards • Define the knowledge and skills students need for college and career • Developed voluntarily and cooperatively by states; more than 40 states have adopted • Provide clear, consistent standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics [Source: www.corestandards.org](Source: www.corestandards.org) The Facts about the CCSS • Standards are not curriculum nor do they tell teachers how to teach • The Common Core was a state-led effort. The standards were not developed by the federal government • Teachers and content experts from across the country were involved in the writing and review of the standards Smarter Balanced Overview Next Generation Assessments The U.S. Department of Education has funded two consortia of states with development grants for new assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards • Rigorous assessment of progress toward “college and career readiness” • Common cut scores across all Consortium states • Provide both achievement and growth information • Valid, reliable, and fair for all students, except those with“significant cognitive disabilities” • Administer online • Use multiple measures • Operational in 2014-15 school year Source: Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 68 / Friday, April 9, 2010 pp. 18171-85 A National Consortium of States • 26 member states and territories representing 39% of K-12 students • 23 Governing States, 2 Advisory States, 1 Affiliate Member • Washington state is fiscal agent • WestEd provides project management services Facts Versus Myths • FACT: All policy decisions about the structure and content of the assessment are made by member states based on input from stakeholders. • FACT: Smarter Balanced aims for complete transparency. • FACT: Smarter Balance will adhere to all federal and state privacy laws. • FACT: Smarter Balanced is developing an assessment system that will provide educators with tools to improve teaching and learning.

FAQs

What is the Smarter Balanced Assessment System and what assessment types does it include?

The presentation describes the Smarter Balanced Assessment System as including summative, interim, and formative assessments aligned to college- and career-readiness goals.

How do the Common Core State Standards relate to these assessments?

The Common Core State Standards define the knowledge and skills students need for college and career, providing clear, consistent standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics that assessments align to.

What are the key claims in the “Facts Versus Myths” section?

The slides state that policy decisions are made by member states with stakeholder input, that Smarter Balanced targets complete transparency, that it will follow federal and state privacy laws, and that it is developing tools to improve teaching and learning.

Oct 3, 2026

Upload by Mabel