1. Smarter Balanced
October/November 2013
Greenwich Public Schools
Prepared by Media Services, F. Kompar

2. Purpose of Student Practice Test
Professional Learning Module
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Provide authentic experience of rigor and complexity of
ELA/literacy and mathematics questions
Showcase variety of item types:
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Selected response
Constructed response
Technology enhanced
Performance tasks
Help teachers to begin planning for the shifts in
instruction
The Student Practice Test can be accessed at:
• https://sbacpt.tds.airast.org/student

3. SBAC Development Timeline
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Early 2012: Assessment claims for ELA/literacy and mathematics
approved by Governing States
April 2012: Item/task specifications and review guidelines published
– http://www.smarterbalanced.org/itemspecs
June 2012: Training modules available for item writers/reviewers
– http://www.smarterbalanced.org/smarter-balancedassessments/item-writing-and-review
Summer 2012: Educators from Governing States begin writing items
and tasks; cognitive labs / small scale trials begin
September 2012: Sample items reviewed by Smarter Balanced staff
and advisors, Student Achievement Partners
October 2012: Sample items and tasks available –
• ELA http://sampleitems.smarterbalanced.org/itempreview/sbac/ELA.ht
m
• Math http://sampleitems.smarterbalanced.org/itempreview/sbac/index.h
tm
February / March 2013: Pilot Test of first 10,000 items and

4. Claims for the ELA/Literacy
Summative Assessment
Overall Claim for Grades 3-8
“Students can demonstrate progress toward college and
career readiness in English Language arts and literacy.”
Claim #1 - Reading
“Students can read closely and analytically to comprehend a
range of increasingly complex literary and informational
texts.”
Claim #2 - Writing
“Students can produce effective and well-grounded writing
for a range of purposes and audiences.”
Claim #3 - Speaking and
Listening
“Students can employ effective speaking and listening skills
for a range of purposes and audiences.”
Claim #4 - Research/Inquiry
“Students can engage in research and inquiry to investigate
topics, and to analyze, integrate, and present information.”

5. Claims for the Mathematics
Summative Assessment
Overall Claim for Grades 3-8
“Students can demonstrate progress toward college and career
readiness in mathematics.”
Claim #1 - Concepts &
Procedures
“Students can explain and apply mathematical concepts and
interpret and carry out mathematical procedures with precision and
fluency.”
Claim #2 - Problem Solving
“Students can solve a range of complex well-posed problems in
pure and applied mathematics, making productive use of knowledge
and problem solving strategies.”
Claim #3 - Communicating
Reasoning
“Students can clearly and precisely construct viable arguments to
support their own reasoning and to critique the reasoning of others.”
Claim #4 - Modeling and Data
Analysis
“Students can analyze complex, real-world scenarios and can
construct and use mathematical models to interpret and solve
problems.”

6. Exploring the Student
Practice Tests
https://sbacpt.tds.airast.org/student

7. Choose the Practice tests
for a grade-level
 After reviewing keyboard shortcuts.
 Begin the test. Complete assessments for:
 ELA, ELA Performance Task, Math
 Refer to “assessment-specific guide” for quick help
and keyboard short cut poster.
 Complete organizer as you run through each
assessment – noting any content/strategies/tech
skills students will need to complete assessment.
 Be prepared for discussion/reflection and
planning with your grade-level team.

8. TEST SETTINGS OPTIONS
 Language (English default, Braille available)
 Color Choices (default black text on white
background)
 Print Size (tests are 14 pt. – size can be increased
by 3x)
 Word List (glossary available)
 Text-to-Speech

9. Shortcuts

10. SBAC Readiness:
“Look Fors” and Essential Questions
THE WHAT
Content: What do students need to know in order to
answer the questions?
Skills & Strategies: What skills are you applying
as you process the questions?
Technology Skills: What computer skills are
needed to answer the question and take the test?
Habits of M ind: What attributes/character traits are
necessary for students to be successful?

11. SBAC Readiness:
“Look Fors” and Essential Questions
THE SO WHAT
Discuss, reflect and post:
As a grade level or program team, what
common skills are needed to be
successful?

12. SBAC Readiness:
“Look Fors” and Essential Questions
THE NOW WHAT
What does it mean?
What do we need to plan and teach
differently?
What new content knowledge,
instructional strategies or technology
skills do we need to learn?

13. Synthesize Reflections on
Padlet Wall
 Go to:
 Padlet wall to synthesize your reflections link:
http://padlet.com/wall
/gps-sbac