Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA)What’s Different About Them?
What are the Smarter Balanced
Assessments (SBA)?
• The SBA replace the California Standards Tests (CST) in English
Language Arts and Mathematics.
• They are more challenging than the previous tests.
• They assess content in English Language Arts and
Mathematics that will be needed to prepare for college and a
career.
• They are one measurement of academic performance.
• The results help to improve teaching and learning.
• They are part of the California Assessment of Student
Performance and Progress (CAASPP).
CAASPP Student Score Report
Assessments: Past and Present
Old Assessments
Smarter Balanced Assessments
Tested students in grades 2-11
Tests students in grades 3-8 and 11
Paper and pencil test
Computer-based, online test only
Fixed form and same set of questions Computer adaptive (customized test
for everyone)
for each student)
Multiple choice question format
You had a 1 out of 4
chance of guessing the
right answer!
Various question formats:
explaining solutions, providing
rationales, using graphing skills or
listening to audio recordings and
then responding to questions about
what was heard
Sample Test Item: Mathematics
Sample Test Item: English Language Arts
Performance Bands
Old Assessments
Smarter Balanced Assessments
Advanced
Standard Exceeded
Proficient
Standard Met
Basic
Standard Nearly Met
Below Basic
Standard Not Met
Far Below Basic
CAUTION!
There is no direct comparison.
New standards, new type of test, new
scale and new performance bands.
Scale Scores
Old Assessments
Smarter Balanced
Assessments
150-600
2000-3000
Students will receive an overall
standard of performance score
in English Language Arts and
Mathematics
English Language Arts Claims
Reading
Writing
– demonstrate
understanding of literary
and non-fiction texts
– produce clear and
purposeful writing
Listening
Research/Inquiry
– demonstrate effective
communication skills
– investigate, analyze and
present information
Above Standard, At or Near Standard, or Below Standard
Mathematics Claims
Communicating
Reasoning
– demonstrate
ability to
support
mathematical
conclusions
Problem Solving
and Modeling/Data
Analysis
– use appropriate
tools and strategies
to solve real world
and mathematical
problems
Concepts and
Procedures
– apply
mathematical
concepts and
procedures
Above Standard, At or Near Standard, or Below Standard
What is included on the CAASPP Reports?
CAASPP Reports
Grade 2
Grade 3
ELA &
Math
Grade 4
ELA &
Math
Grade 5
ELA &
Math
Grade 6
Grade 7
ELA &
Math
Science
ELA &
Math
Grade 8
Grade 9
ELA &
Math
Grade 10
Grade 11
Science
ELA &
Math
Science
(STS)
ELA &
Math
Science
Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics
California Standards Test (and CMA or CAPA) in Science
STS
Standards-based Tests in Spanish – for some English learners and those
enrolled in Dual-language programs with primary instruction in Spanish
EAP
Early Assessment Program – assesses readiness for college-level coursework
EAP
What’s Next?
School personnel
will use the results
to help adjust
programs and
services to assist
students.
Take the Smarter Balanced Practice
and Training Tests here:
http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/
Student
progress is
monitored
throughout the
year.
Schools and
families are
partners in
student learning.
View California’s grade-level
standards here:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/index.asp
Download Parent Guides to the Smarter
Balanced Summative Assessments here:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/caasppssreports.asp
Resources
achieve.lausd.net/testing
Questions?