Smarter Balanced Sample Items and Performance Tasks - October 10, 2012

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore

October 10, 2012 e-communications from the Connecticut State Department of Education outline Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium sample items and performance tasks released on October 9, 2012. The materials support implementation of Common Core State Standards and preparation for spring 2015 administration by showing question types and depth of understanding. Guidance emphasizes that samples are not intended as practice tests, are shown on a simulated platform, and may not include later accessibility and accommodation tools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Using the Sample Items and Performance Tasks

Purposes and scope of the samples

Assessment types and platform notes

Implementation support and timeline

Submissions, subscriptions, and contact

October 10, 2012 Connecticut State Department of Education Bureau of Student Assessment Sample Items and Performance Tasks On October 9, 2012, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium released sample items and performance tasks that are intended to help teachers, administrators and policymakers implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and prepare for the first administration of the Smarter Balanced assessments, during the spring of 2015. The samples provide an early look into the depth of understanding of the CCSS that will be measured by the Smarter Balanced assessment system. While the items and tasks are not intended to be used as sample tests, educators can use them to begin planning the shifts in instruction that will be required to help students meet the demands of the new assessments. The items and tasks available show the different types of questions that will appear on the assessments, including: selected-response; constructed response; technology-enhanced; and performance tasks. It is important to note that these samples represent only a small fraction of the more than 10,000 items and tasks currently in development. In addition, the samples are displayed using a simulated test platform that does not include accessibility tools and accommodation options that will be available when the assessments are administered to students—such as Braille, translation options, highlighter tools and the ability to change font size or magnify portions of items. In the coming months, additional items and performance tasks will be made available. Smarter Balanced welcomes feedback and questions on the sample items and tasks. Comments can be submitted through an online form. Using the Sample Items and Tasks The Smarter Balanced Theory of Action notes that an effective assessment system must be part of an integrated system of standards, curriculum, assessment, instruction and teacher development. The sample items and tasks illustrate the knowledge and skills students will be expected to demonstrate on the Smarter Balanced assessments, giving educators clear benchmarks to inform their instruction. At the start of the 2014-15 school year, the interim assessment item bank will be fully accessible to schools and teachers. In addition, teachers will have access to a digital library of formative assessment strategies and practices, including instructional best practices and professional development on assessment literacy. The end-of-year summative assessment will start in spring 2015. The Smarter Balanced sample items and more information is available at [www.smarterbalanced.org/sample-items-and-performance-tasks/](www.smarterbalanced.org/sample-items-and-performance-tasks/) Connecticut State Department of Education Smarter Balanced e-Alert Please share this e-Alert with colleagues. Subscribe to Connecticut’s Smarter Balanced e-Alert. View archived Smarter Balanced e-Alerts on the CSDE Web site. Smarter Balanced eNewsletter Subscribe to the Smarter Balanced eNewsletter to stay connected with news and information directly from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. Visit the Smarter Balanced Web site which showcases the innovative work of the Consortium and provides frequent updates on activities, milestones and events. Visitors are able to explore an interactive timeline of activities by school year and download new fact sheets and resources. Contact the Student Assessment Office at 860-713-6860 or 860-713-6890 with questions. Connecticut’s Smarter Balanced Web site

FAQs

What are the Smarter Balanced sample items and performance tasks intended to help with?

They are intended to help teachers, administrators, and policymakers implement the Common Core State Standards and prepare for the first administration of Smarter Balanced assessments in spring 2015.

Are the sample items meant to be used as sample tests?

No. The document states that the items and tasks are not intended to be used as sample tests, but educators can use them to plan instruction shifts needed for the new assessments.

What question types are included in the available samples?

The samples show selected-response, constructed response, technology-enhanced questions, and performance tasks.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore