The NEW Smarter Balanced Assessments

Smarter Balanced assessments make use of computer adaptive technology, which is more precise and efficient than fixed-form testing. Based on student responses, the computer program adjusts the difficulty of questions throughout the assessment. For example, a student who answers a question correctly will receive a more challenging item, while an incorrect answer generates an easier question. By adapting to the student as the assessment is taking place, these assessments present an individually tailored set of questions to each student and can quickly identify which skills students have mastered.

 

 

Smarter Balanced assessments will go beyond multiple-choice questions and include short constructed response, extended constructed response, and performance tasks that allow students to complete an in-depth project that demonstrate analytical skills and real-world problem solving.

 

You can find out even more about the new assessments by going to this Smarter Balanced Fact Sheet for Parents.

 

 

Ready to experience the new assessments first-hand?  Go to the Smarter Balanced Practice Test Portal, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on the green icon for the Student Interface Practice Test.  Good luck!