1. An Introduction to the “Big Picture”
Smarter Balanced
An Introduction to the “Big Picture”

2. What is Common Core?
•Clear and consistent learning goals to help prepare students for college, career, and life
•Clear identification of what students are expected to learn at each grade level, so that every parent and teacher can understand and support their learning.

3. What is Smarter Balanced?
Smarter Balanced is an Assessment System designed to inform and measure learning toward Common Core standards.

4. Smarter Balanced Assessment System

5. Who will be assessed and when?
Grade 3 ELA
Mar 9 - Apr 23
Grade 3 Math
Last 12 weeks of school (Mar 23)
Grades 4-8 ELA and Math
Grade 10 ELA* Exit Exam
Grade 11 ELA* and Math
Last 7 weeks of school (Apr 27)
*Students in grades 10 and 11 will be administered the same assessment; two cut scores will be applied: 10th grade Exit Exam cut score and 11th grade college and career ready cut score.
Note: Science will continue to be assessed through MSP at grades 5 & 8, and Biology EOC at high school

6. What does assessment “look like?”
•Three parts:
•CAT – Computer Adaptive Test (online)
•Classroom Activity (30 minute activity that prepares students for the Performance Task)
•Performance Task (online)
•Continuous vertical scale, K-12
•2,000 – 3000 points

7. How long will the test take?

8. Where can I find more information?
Staff Corner (Research and Tools) → Washington Assessment Portal

9. Resources: Manuals and Training Modules
TIDE: Test Information Distribution Engine (data system for Smarter Balanced)
Test Administration: Management of test sessions
Interim Teacher Hand-Scoring System: Scoring for constructed-response writing items
Online Reporting System: Access assessment results
TIDE, Test Administration, Interim Teacher Hand Scoring System and Online Reporting all use the same username/login; the Digital Library requires a different username/login.

10. What’s my role?
Support principals and teachers as they implement Smarter Balanced:
Add users (staff) to TIDE
Enter supports and accommodations
Roster students
Assist with proctoring a session
Support teachers in using the Teacher Hand Scoring System and Online Reporting System
General Trouble-shooting

11. Next Week…
Hands-on training