What is it?
How much will the test cost in comparison to the Iowa Assessments?
Why is Smarter Balanced Assessments the best fit for Iowa students?
- Smarter Balanced is a computer adaptive assessment. CAT adjusts the level of questions based on the students answers; it keeps them just at the challenge level. Students are more engaged, and the results are more informative. Because of the broad range of questions available for the individual student, we will have a much better picture of just where each student is in their learning. This test is based on the Common Core State Standards. The CAT has over 33,000 test items; the test bank and test engine has the capability to choose the next test question that is just right for each student. There is also at least one performance item on each test.
- All districts will have access to the digital library, interim, and summative assessments. The interims allow districts to replace their Chapter 12 required assessments. There are two types of interim assessments available: block and comprehensive. The block is designed by the district and based on student needs. (You can choose specific standards) All students in grades 3-11 will be assessed. Notably, the testing window will be much larger than the current Iowa Assessment.
- Rationale: CAREER READINESS. The on-line format with extended research, writing, and problem-solving tasks measure critical thinking and problem-solving skills students require for success.
- Some districts may not have a technology director and need to prepare; Paper and pencil is an option for transition
- Interim assessments are already part of the suite
- Writing will be assessed (e.g. performance tasks)
- Test items are created and reviewed by teachers; it is computer adaptive to the students skills which offers more information about the students rather than a fixed form, such as the Next Generation Iowa Assessment. We can measure growth.
- A 2 week turn around will provide us with results faster than Iowa Assessments has in the past
- Technology requirements: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/assessments/testing-technology/devices-and-browsers/
How much will the test cost in comparison to the Iowa Assessments?
- The current cost of the Iowa Assessments is around $18,400.00 plus the 670.00 for the end of course assessment that we give in geometry. The total cost of the standardized tests are $19,100.00.
- The Smarter Balanced assessment will cost the district approx. $56,320.00. The test this year will only test Reading and Math.
- The district will need to test students in the subject matter of science. The new test published by Riverside will be called the Next Generation test. This test includes computer generated questions; they are not leveled. To test students in our district in just science it will cost approximately $37,500.00.
- The total amount to test students in the spring of 2018 is $93,800.00
- I am not sure if districts will be required to have a second assessment because of Interim assessments with Smarter Balanced. We have developed many assessments that have been district created.
Why is Smarter Balanced Assessments the best fit for Iowa students?
- The outcome from this test will outweigh the challenges; there will be more precise data for each student and it is aligned to the core.
- Positive feedback shared by a teacher who implemented the SB test in her district a year ago: "Content of items is more engaging than other standardized tests. Students continue to talk about the information learned from the texts read during the test long after the test is given." Part of the reason for this is that the test questions are designed by educators and include more engaging text.
- Thomas B. Fordham Institute published results after evaluating the content and quality of next generation assessments February 11, 2016 and shared that "PARCC and Smarter Balanced assessments had the strongest matches to the CCSSO Criteria."
- Of the current Smart Balanced member states, there were six that released scores this fall, with most showing solid growth in 2016 from 2015, the first year that the Smarter Balanced summative assessments were given to students in states. (Source: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/six-states-reported-smarter-balanced-scores):
- In Connecticut, the 2016 Smarter Balanced results showed solid improvement in both subjects (ELA and Math), across all grades, and for all high-needs student subgroups. “With record-high graduation rates and now significantly improved scores on the Smarter Balanced test, our smart investments and commitment to our children are changing lives. Every time we raise the bar for our children and set high expectations, they reach it. This is undoubtedly a step in the right direction — and it’s a step we should all celebrate. And it could not have been done without our outstanding educators — teachers, principals, and other district staff,” Governor Dannel P. Malloy said. “We need to continue the momentum, and we need to maintain a laser-sharp focus on preparing all children for success in college and the workforce. The work we’re doing is paying off — and we must continue to build on our successes.”
- California State Universities and many community colleges consider high marks on these tests among 11th-grade students a reliable sign of readiness for college-level work.
- West Virginia State Board of Education President, Mike Green shared, “I am confident we are doing the right thing for our students...It is important to maintain the stability in our school system in terms of our standards, assessment and accountability system so we can compare performance over time. We are making the necessary shifts needed to improve student achievement and ensure our students are prepared to compete in a global society.”
- There is a digital library available with resources for teachers to support them with their instruction; districts will be granted access to the library July 1, 2017 per Erika Cook, Bureau Chief [DOE]: https://www.smarterbalancedlibrary.org/
Smarter Balanced Questions and Answers
After Indianola Community School District instructional coaches Leigh Bellville and Lisa Msuya presented new learning regarding Smarter Balanced to administrators and teacher leaders in January 2016, the following questions were posed in the feedback survey and answers are included to those questions. The Q&A can be helpful as other districts move forward with SB.
Q. Where can we learn more about levels of learners....especially ELL and SPED?
Information can be accessed online through the Smarter Balanced website: click here.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. There are resources on the Smarter Balanced website regarding accommodations for diverse learners: click here.
Q. How do we prepare both the teachers and students for this assessment?
Notably, Smarter Balanced recommends teaching the CCSS as the best preparation for students. Students and teachers should become familiar with the various item types by taking the Smarter Balanced practice test.
Q. What will the testing process look like? How soon can we start trouble shooting implementation challenges?
There is a practice test available online that can be utilized to familiarize yourselves (teachers) and students. Exploring the practice test is the best method to understand the format and learn how to navigate the test. Practice tests can be accessed here. According to Smarter Balanced, the best course to begin troubleshooting implementation challenges is to teach the core.
Q. Do we need to start keyboarding again? What about K-5 with keyboarding?
Refer to the document TechSkills Online Assessments, developed by Massachusetts Department of Education and the ELPA21 Tech Skills Chart for Iowa’s ELP assessment. Basic keyboarding is recommended to begin in kindergarten, but advanced keyboarding isn’t needed until 2nd grade. The ELPA21 does not require Kindergarten-1st grade students to do more than use arrow keys and a mouse for clicking.
Nikki Elliott-Schuman from Smarter Balanced mentioned, “It will help if students become more familiar with the computer, but know that Smarter does offer a paper and pencil alternative.” Colleen Anderson, Assessment, Department of Education shared, “Keep in mind, that if an Iowa district chooses to go paper-and-pencil for all students in a grade, it will be a district expense. It may be used as an accommodations on an IEP or 504 Plan, though.
Q. I am really excited about the interim assessments. Where can I learn more about them?
It is a state decision whether to purchase the interim assessments; however, it was the recommendation of the task force to purchase the full suite. There are resources on the Smarter Balanced website regarding the interim tests: click here. Districts would have the option of using the interim assessments to replace the required Chapter 12 assessments in reading and math. The purchase of the interim assessment also includes access to the Digital Library.
Q. Will the district be purchasing the interim tests?
The state determines whether the interim tests will be purchased. It is the recommendation of both the Assessment Task Force and the State Board to purchase the full suite, which includes interim tests, summative test, and the Digital Library.
Q. Should time constraints and computer access be a concern?
The assessment testing window is the last twelve weeks of a school year, and the test is untimed to allow for scheduling difficulties. Last year, states administering Smarter Balanced found that students averaged 1 ½ to 2 hours on ELA and 1 to 1 ½ hours on math. This does not include the performance tasks, which take an additional 1 hour per content area. The time differences varied with grade levels, with older students taking longer than younger students. Some students will take longer and some less. This may end up being about the same as the Next Generation Iowa Assessments which do not have performance tasks and are estimated by Iowa Testing Programs to take 3 hours per grade level. It, like SB, is an untimed test. The testing window allows scheduling computer access.
Q. How do we handle the open time of this test?
This question may refer to either an untimed test or the 12-week testing window. Suggestion: schedule the test based on student need to prevent testing fatigue. Some students can stay engaged longer than others; and since the test saves their work--and doesn’t let them go back to previously answered items after they log out--a student could take 10-15 minutes per day until they finish or 30 minutes per week until they finish.
Q. What are the technology logistics needed in order to enhance technology integration and preparedness for kids and teachers?
Students should have access to technology during instruction, and those who do will obviously have a higher comfort level with online tests. Either way, provide students as many opportunities as possible taking both the practice tests and the training tests. The Practice Tests are now available online for anyone to access, along with the scoring guides and answers. The Training Tests are only available for states giving the tests. These training tests are on a secure browser and give students practice with each item type, accessibility tool, accommodation, etc. The accommodation and accessibility codes will need to be entered for each student prior to taking the training test to give that student a testing situation most like what will be experienced during the actual test. They can take the Training Test and Practice Tests as frequently as they want.
Q. Is this web based or is this a program we can download to the computer?
Districts download a secure browser. (All online assessments should have a secure browser to ensure test security. If one doesn’t – don’t buy it!) The students then access the test through the Internet using the secure browser. The secure browser prevents them from accessing any other sites (using the secure browser or another browser) where they might find answers and blocks access to email accounts during the test. The secure browser also allows the test administrator (teacher) to monitor individual student progress. Teachers can use their accounts to monitor how many questions/test sections each student in their roster has finished during testing.
Q. How will the tests be scored? Is that done locally or is it done by teachers specially trained in a common location (like AP exams) or is it done by selected, trained teachers but done online (like SAT and ACT writing)?
None of the test is scored locally. Whichever test vendor is hired is expected to score student responses as they are submitted, ensuring results are returned as quickly as possible (ideally, within 2 weeks of when the student submits his/her final answer). All scorers must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in the content area or a related area, are specially trained, and are certified to ensure the highest possible inter-rater reliability. Depending on the vendor, scorers may work online or at scoring sites.
Q. What is the cost of the test per student when compared to Iowa Assessments?
Iowa Assessments will cost over $15/student beginning next year (they are moving to an online, fixed-form test called Next Generation), and SB will be less than $27/student for an assessment system. The summative, equivalent to Iowa Assessments except computer-adaptive and not a fixed-form online test (Iowa Testing), will cost approximately $16.50. However, the price for SB could be less than the estimate depending on the vendor hired to administer Smarter Balanced. There is no longer a $5/student option for testing. For additional information regarding cost, click on the following link for information shared by the Department of Education: SB vs. Iowa Assessments - Cost and Current Information for the State of Iowa.
2016 - Q&A - Created by Leigh Bellville (ICSD) in collaboration with Colleen Anderson (Iowa DOE) and Nikki Elliott-Schuman (Smarter Balanced).
Q. Where can we learn more about levels of learners....especially ELL and SPED?
Information can be accessed online through the Smarter Balanced website: click here.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. There are resources on the Smarter Balanced website regarding accommodations for diverse learners: click here.
Q. How do we prepare both the teachers and students for this assessment?
Notably, Smarter Balanced recommends teaching the CCSS as the best preparation for students. Students and teachers should become familiar with the various item types by taking the Smarter Balanced practice test.
Q. What will the testing process look like? How soon can we start trouble shooting implementation challenges?
There is a practice test available online that can be utilized to familiarize yourselves (teachers) and students. Exploring the practice test is the best method to understand the format and learn how to navigate the test. Practice tests can be accessed here. According to Smarter Balanced, the best course to begin troubleshooting implementation challenges is to teach the core.
Q. Do we need to start keyboarding again? What about K-5 with keyboarding?
Refer to the document TechSkills Online Assessments, developed by Massachusetts Department of Education and the ELPA21 Tech Skills Chart for Iowa’s ELP assessment. Basic keyboarding is recommended to begin in kindergarten, but advanced keyboarding isn’t needed until 2nd grade. The ELPA21 does not require Kindergarten-1st grade students to do more than use arrow keys and a mouse for clicking.
Nikki Elliott-Schuman from Smarter Balanced mentioned, “It will help if students become more familiar with the computer, but know that Smarter does offer a paper and pencil alternative.” Colleen Anderson, Assessment, Department of Education shared, “Keep in mind, that if an Iowa district chooses to go paper-and-pencil for all students in a grade, it will be a district expense. It may be used as an accommodations on an IEP or 504 Plan, though.
Q. I am really excited about the interim assessments. Where can I learn more about them?
It is a state decision whether to purchase the interim assessments; however, it was the recommendation of the task force to purchase the full suite. There are resources on the Smarter Balanced website regarding the interim tests: click here. Districts would have the option of using the interim assessments to replace the required Chapter 12 assessments in reading and math. The purchase of the interim assessment also includes access to the Digital Library.
Q. Will the district be purchasing the interim tests?
The state determines whether the interim tests will be purchased. It is the recommendation of both the Assessment Task Force and the State Board to purchase the full suite, which includes interim tests, summative test, and the Digital Library.
Q. Should time constraints and computer access be a concern?
The assessment testing window is the last twelve weeks of a school year, and the test is untimed to allow for scheduling difficulties. Last year, states administering Smarter Balanced found that students averaged 1 ½ to 2 hours on ELA and 1 to 1 ½ hours on math. This does not include the performance tasks, which take an additional 1 hour per content area. The time differences varied with grade levels, with older students taking longer than younger students. Some students will take longer and some less. This may end up being about the same as the Next Generation Iowa Assessments which do not have performance tasks and are estimated by Iowa Testing Programs to take 3 hours per grade level. It, like SB, is an untimed test. The testing window allows scheduling computer access.
Q. How do we handle the open time of this test?
This question may refer to either an untimed test or the 12-week testing window. Suggestion: schedule the test based on student need to prevent testing fatigue. Some students can stay engaged longer than others; and since the test saves their work--and doesn’t let them go back to previously answered items after they log out--a student could take 10-15 minutes per day until they finish or 30 minutes per week until they finish.
Q. What are the technology logistics needed in order to enhance technology integration and preparedness for kids and teachers?
Students should have access to technology during instruction, and those who do will obviously have a higher comfort level with online tests. Either way, provide students as many opportunities as possible taking both the practice tests and the training tests. The Practice Tests are now available online for anyone to access, along with the scoring guides and answers. The Training Tests are only available for states giving the tests. These training tests are on a secure browser and give students practice with each item type, accessibility tool, accommodation, etc. The accommodation and accessibility codes will need to be entered for each student prior to taking the training test to give that student a testing situation most like what will be experienced during the actual test. They can take the Training Test and Practice Tests as frequently as they want.
Q. Is this web based or is this a program we can download to the computer?
Districts download a secure browser. (All online assessments should have a secure browser to ensure test security. If one doesn’t – don’t buy it!) The students then access the test through the Internet using the secure browser. The secure browser prevents them from accessing any other sites (using the secure browser or another browser) where they might find answers and blocks access to email accounts during the test. The secure browser also allows the test administrator (teacher) to monitor individual student progress. Teachers can use their accounts to monitor how many questions/test sections each student in their roster has finished during testing.
Q. How will the tests be scored? Is that done locally or is it done by teachers specially trained in a common location (like AP exams) or is it done by selected, trained teachers but done online (like SAT and ACT writing)?
None of the test is scored locally. Whichever test vendor is hired is expected to score student responses as they are submitted, ensuring results are returned as quickly as possible (ideally, within 2 weeks of when the student submits his/her final answer). All scorers must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in the content area or a related area, are specially trained, and are certified to ensure the highest possible inter-rater reliability. Depending on the vendor, scorers may work online or at scoring sites.
Q. What is the cost of the test per student when compared to Iowa Assessments?
Iowa Assessments will cost over $15/student beginning next year (they are moving to an online, fixed-form test called Next Generation), and SB will be less than $27/student for an assessment system. The summative, equivalent to Iowa Assessments except computer-adaptive and not a fixed-form online test (Iowa Testing), will cost approximately $16.50. However, the price for SB could be less than the estimate depending on the vendor hired to administer Smarter Balanced. There is no longer a $5/student option for testing. For additional information regarding cost, click on the following link for information shared by the Department of Education: SB vs. Iowa Assessments - Cost and Current Information for the State of Iowa.
2016 - Q&A - Created by Leigh Bellville (ICSD) in collaboration with Colleen Anderson (Iowa DOE) and Nikki Elliott-Schuman (Smarter Balanced).