Transitioning to a Balanced Assessment System

Overview Professional Development in Assessment Smarter Balanced Logistics

Priorities Increase educator and administrator assessment literacy Help educators connect the Idaho Core Standards to the Smarter Balanced Assessment System Professional Development in Assessment

Assessment Literacy Formative Assessment An instructional process that provides real-time feedback to adjust teaching and learning to improve student outcomes. Interim Assessment Periodic tests used to evaluate student knowledge, skills, and standing at specific points along a curriculum or course. Summative Assessment Tests given at the end of an instructional period to make final determinations about student knowledge, skills, and standing

A Balanced Assessment System Idaho Core State Standards specify K-12 expectations for college and career readiness All students leave high school college and career ready Teachers and schools have information and tools they need to improve teaching and learning Interim assessments Flexible, open, used for action feedback Digital Library Teacher resources in formative assessment to improve instruction Summative assessments Benchmarked to college and career readiness Assessment Literacy

The Power of Assessment Webinar Series 12 Modules on Assessment Literacy Key Topics Understanding formative and interim assessment Providing student feedback Grading Understanding assessment targets Target-method match Test item writing guidelines Resources for preparing for ICS and SBAC Conceptual framework for balanced assessment Assessment Literacy

Conceptual Framework Assessment Claims Broad statements of the assessment system‘s learning outcomes, each of which requires evidence. Assessment Targets Explanations of the types of data that will support interpretations of competence towards achievement of the claims. Interpretations Achievement Level Descriptors (e.g. definitions of Advanced, Proficient, etc.) Connecting Standards to Assessment

Implications for Instruction Webinars: Connecting the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Connecting Standards to Assessment

Smarter Balanced Logistics Pilot Practice Test Field Test Operational Smarter Balanced Timeline

Smarter Balanced Logistics 124 schools in Idaho administered the Pilot Test in Spring 2013 Pilots were given in different school sizes, grade levels and regions For example: 493 tests at Canyon Ridge High School in Twin Falls to 6 tests completed in Bliss SBAC is conducting a Pilot Test Data Review this fall Reviewers will evaluate items and make recommendations to “accept as is,” “revise and re-field test,” or “reject” with rationale Idaho educators are participating in this process Pilot Test

Smarter Balanced Logistics Practice Tests Now available for each subject area and all grade levels. 30 items per grade / subject area Fixed form tests Practice Tests could be used for the following: Lesson planning Professional development Communication efforts with stakeholders Practice tests are not intended for evaluating student readiness for SBAC Access the Practice Tests online at:

Smarter Balanced Logistics Consortium Goals Determine cut scores (advanced, proficient, etc.) Calibrate test items (easy, medium, hard) Testing Logistics Idaho Goals Give Idaho students the opportunity to experience a new test before it becomes operational Avoid double-testing Avoid giving a non-ICS aligned test in 2014 Field Test NO STUDENT SCORES WILL COME FROM FIELD TEST!

Smarter Balanced Logistics Field Test All students in grades 3-11 must participate Excludes 11 th graders who have not yet passed ISAT 95% participation rule still applies 10 th graders who did not pass ISAT in 9 th grade should be placed on alternate path to graduation School accountability determinations will roll forward Field Test Window: April 1 – May 16 Technology Readiness Tool Devices, Students, Network Rooms, Proctors, etc. Complete survey by Oct. 31, 2013

Contacts Dr. TJ Bliss Director of Assessment and Accountability Angela Hemingway Statewide Assessment and Accountability Coordinator Nancy Thomas Price Interim/Formative Assessment Coordinator