This document is a presentation by Robin Munson from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction about the Smarter Balanced assessment. It provides 12 reasons why implementing Smarter Balanced is important, including that it aligns to more rigorous learning standards, involves Washington teachers, allows for quicker results, and makes scores more comparable between states. It also gives 12 tips for a successful testing season, such as grounding work in the standards, practicing assessments, and celebrating accomplishments. The presentation encourages a positive attitude and collaboration around transitioning to Smarter Balanced.

1. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Division of Assessment and Student Information
Smarter Balanced
Are you in?
February 11, 2015
Robin G. Munson, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Assessment and Student Information

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How are you Smarter Balanced-wise?
1. Have your Smarter Balanced expectations been:
a. Met
b. Exceeded
c. Altered
d. Postponed
2. How prepared are you for the first operational year of
Smarter Balanced?
a. Good to go!
b. Ready but nervous
c. TIDE, ART, ORS, TDS – a bit confused
d. Just realizing this thing didn’t go away
e. Panic has ensued

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Attitude is Important

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Smarter Balanced – from Pre-season
Dreams to end of Season Realities
 In the middle of this assessment’s debut season, it may be
time to step away from the details of user names, training
modules, designated supports and scoring rubrics and
remind ourselves of the significant accomplishment we
are pursuing.
• Assessment and RegistrationTool (ART)
• Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE)
• Test Delivery System (TDS)
• Teacher Hand Scoring System (THSS)
• Online Reporting System (ORS)

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12 Reasons this is Really Big
 Today, I want to share12 reasons I think the
implementation of Smarter Balanced is really big for
Washington’s students.
 And I will highlight 12 keys to a successful testing
season.
But first….
 Please take 1-2 minutes to jot down the reasons
you believe Smarter Balanced is really big – why
are you still in?

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1. The Right Learning Standards
 Washington’s students deserve high-quality content
standards, and related assessments, to prepare them for
success.
 Washington’s new state learning standards in English
language arts and math (Common Core) go deeper into
fewer topics and focus on developing students’ deeper
understanding of key concepts.
 Because the standards have been adopted in so many
states, they provide consistent learning expectations for
all students.

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The Right Learning Standards, cont.’
 Our learning standards are intended to prepare high
school graduates to be college and career ready, a more
difficult goal than we’ve had for our students in the past.
 The high remediation rates we’ve witnessed in
Washington, and around the country, indicate less global
competitiveness than we would hope.
 The standards build the critical skills students need in the
job market. Right now,Washington has 25,000 unfilled
jobs for highly-skilled workers – and that number is
projected to double by 2017.
 We can solve this challenge!!

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2. Washington Teacher Involvement
 Over the course of the grant,Washington teachers have:
 Developed item specifications
 Developed items
 Vetted Digital Library materials
 Established achievement level descriptors
 Set achievement level cut scores
 Helped communicate by contributing their voices
 Washington has the best and most generous teachers!

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3. Multi-State Collaboration
 States have various areas of experience and expertise.
 The Smarter Balanced Consortium took advantage of
each member state’s technical, technological, practical, and
political expertise and used a member-state governance
process to ensure a blend of everyone.
 Many opportunities for state involvement came with the
technical workgroups, task forces, State Network of
Educators, as well as development and review work.

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4. Computer Adaptive Testing
 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.
 This approach represents a significant improvement over
Washington’s traditional assessments, providing more
accurate scores for all students across the full range of
the achievement continuum.

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5. Aligned Interim Assessments
 Optional interim assessments:
 Are fully aligned with the new standards and summative
assessment.
 Provide educators actionable information about student
progress throughout the year.
 Will help teachers, students, and parents understand whether
students are on track, and identify strengths and limitations in
relation to the learning standards.
 Are fully accessible for instruction and professional
development (non-secure).
 Interim assessments will be computer adaptive (not this first
year) and includes performance tasks.

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Aligned Interim Assessments, cont.’
 Schools will have the flexibility to assess small elements of
content or the full breadth of the standards at locally-
determined times throughout the year.
 They will provide a more detailed picture of where
students excel or need additional support, helping
teachers to differentiate instruction.
 The interim assessments will be reported on the same
scale as the summative assessment.

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6. Instructional Resources
• An online collection of resources
aligned to the Common Core
that will support K-12 teachers’
use of the formative assessment
process
• Assessment literacy modules
• Exemplar instructional modules
• Education resources submitted
and vetted by teachers
• Teachers can rate materials and
share their expertise with
educators across the country

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7. Quicker Results
Mostly Machine Scored Items
+ Online Delivery
______________________
ThreeWeek Turnaround
Individual scores will be available in the Online
Reporting System (ORS) within three weeks of a
student completing the summative assessment.

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8. More Accessible to More Students
• Designed for all students,
including students with
disabilities and English
language learners
• Three kinds of supports:
• Universal tools available to
all
• Designated supports for
those with identified need
• Accommodations for
students with an IEP or 504
plan

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9. Connected to Higher Ed
 K-12 Lead and Higher Ed Lead in every member state;
 Higher ed representation from each state at every
teacher event;
 Partnered on the definition of college readiness and
development of the achievement level descriptors;
 Involved in achievement level setting cut scores;

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Higher Ed in Washington
Play
Pause
 InWashington, higher ed has approved an MOU to use scores
for placement and remediation activities;
 Washington Community and Technical Colleges are co-
developing transition courses to help students achieve college
and career readiness.

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10. Unprecedented Transparency
 There are no secrets:
 Consortium activities, finances, and governance
 Digital Library resources
 Practice tests
 Achievement level setting

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11. Smarter Balanced Costs Less
 Former tests cost ~$30 per test per student
 Smarter Balanced costs ~$30/student for both tests, and
allows unlimited use of the interim assessments and
the Digital Library

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12. Standards and Scores Comparable
to Other States
 Before Common Core states had different sets of
expectations for what students should know and be
able to do in each grade.
 Students who move will have
continuity in their education.
 Proficiency rates will finally be
comparable – perhaps we will
be the Smarter-NFC champs!

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12 Reasons this is Really Big
 The right learning standards
 Washington teacher involvement
 Multistate expertise and collaboration
 Computer adaptive
 Aligned interims
 Instructional resources
 Quicker results
 More accessible
 Connection to higher ed
 Unprecedented transparency
 Less expensive
 Comparable to other states

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12 Steps to a Testing Championship –
“Separation is in the preparation” #3RW
1. Ground all your work in the learning standards
2. Know the rules
3. Check your equipment
4. Rely on coaches (e.g., District Leaders, Principal)
5. Develop your bench of test coordinators
6. Use the training films
7. Practice, practice, and practice more (i.e., see #1)
8. Adjust the playbook to address needs
9. Don’t foul
10. Understand the score
11.Talk to the media
12. Celebrate your accomplishments!

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Why Not Us?
 Have a great exchange of ideas today!
 Thank you for your collaboration with OSPI!
 Thank you for you patience!!!
 Contact us if you need assistance:
 Assessment@k12.wa.us
 AssessmentAnalysts@k12.wa.us
 robin.munson@k12.wa.us

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Thank you!robin.munson@k12.wa.us