n development to support the Pilot Test in early 2013. 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.
Accessing the Sample Items and Tasks
The sample items and performance tasks are compatible with desktop and laptop computers with the following Internet browsers:
- Firefox 3.6 or newer
- Internet Explorer 8 or newer (Certain items don’t work properly on newer versions of Internet Explorer. This will be corrected in the future.)
- Chrome 18 or newer
- Safari 4.1 or newer
** Please note the preferred web browsers for accessing the Practice and Training Tests are Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. The Practice and Training Tests provide a preview of the Smarter Balanced assessments and a more accurate depiction of both the testing environment and item types.
In addition, Android and iPad tablets with 9.5 inch screens (10 inch class) or larger are supported with the following Internet browsers:
- Chrome 18 or newer (Android)
- Safari 4.1 or newer (iPad)
Explore sample items and performance tasks:
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. They represent the first of many steps to help familiarize teachers, students, and parents with the expectations of the Common Core State Standards and next-generation assessments.
Teachers and students will have two opportunities to experience the assessments prior to implementation in the 2014-15 school year. Begining in late February, Smarter Balanced will conduct a Pilot Test of the assessment system. A broader Field Test will follow in spring 2014.
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.
Alignment to the Common Core State Standards
The Smarter Balanced assessment system will cover the full range of college- and career-ready knowledge and skills in the Common Core State Standards. To do this, each test item is associated with assessment targets and overall content claims. Content claims are major categories for looking at student performance. The assessment targets were developed to ensure item writers and reviewers address the standards, learning progressions, and the range of thinking possible. The sample items reflect the expectations for rigorous content and application of knowledge contained in the Common Core.
As part of the development of the Consortium’s content specifications, Smarter Balanced member states approved content claims in English language arts/literacy and mathematics:
- Claims for the Mathematics Summative Assessment (PDF)
- Claims for the English Language Arts/Literacy Summative Assessment (PDF)
Developed with Educators
In 2012, Smarter Balanced Governing States recruited K-12 teachers and higher education faculty to write and review assessment items and performance tasks guided by the Consortium’s item/task specifications and review guidelines. Item writers participated in trainings on the Consortium’s specifications and assessment design principles. Educators will continue to be involved in the