New Era of Student Testing

Changes to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development will need to occur as a result of the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in California. The resources provided below will support district and school site staff as they begin to explore the assessment implications of the Common Core State Standards.

SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium

The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is one of two multi-state collaborative groups that received Race-to-the-Top grants to develop student assessments aligned to the common core standards. In June 2011, California joined the SBAC in a governing role, providing the state with a vote in fiscal and policy decisions as well as the opportunity to participate in work groups developing various components of the new assessment system.

• SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium
• SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium: A Summary of Core Components
  A short brochure outlining the basic components proposed for the SBAC common core assessment system.
• The SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium Design
  A one-page overview of the SBAC common core assessment system design.
• SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium Presentation
  This presentation outlines the work of the SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium.
• SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium: Factsheet for Teachers
• SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium: Factsheet for Policymakers
• SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium: Computer-Adaptive Testing Factsheet
• State Education Leaders Jointly Announce California’s Role in New Multistate Consortium Formed to Develop New Generation of Assessments
  The press release issued by California State Superintendent Tom Torlakson announcing California’s decision to join the SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium as a governing state.

Next Generation Assessment

The new assessments being developed to measure student mastery of the common core state standards are expected to utilize computer-based technologies as well as encompass multiple item delivery and response formats. This includes computer-adaptive methodology, and both selected and constructed-response items that can explore greater breadth and depth of student understanding and thinking.

• Are We Ready for Testing Under Common Core State Standards?
  This article raises important issues related to design and technology aspects of the computer-based / online testing proposed by both national assessment consortia.
• Coming Together to Raise Achievement: New Assessments for the Common Core State Standards
  This guide outlines the assessment plans for each of the two national assessment consortia: the SMARTER-Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC).
• The Road Ahead for State Assessments
  This publication explores three aspects of “next generation” assessments in relation to the common core standards: Computer Adaptive Assessment, Strengthening Assessment for English Learners, and Next Generation Assessments for Measuring Complex Learning in Science.
• The Center for K-12 Assessment and Performance Management at ETS: Presentation Archives
  This site provides videos and presentation materials from several workshops and events exploring “next generation” assessments in the K-12 arena.
• Mathematics Assessment Resources:
  These sites offer sample test items, performance tasks, lessons, and other materials that reflect the depth and complexity of many of the common core mathematics standards.
  • California Mathematics Project
  • Mathematics Assessment Project
  • Mathematics Assessment Resource Service (MARS)
  • Washington State Mathematics Assessment
  • Leadership in Math Education NCSM
  • Inside Mathematics
• English Language Arts Assessment Resources:
  These sites offer sample test items, performance tasks, lessons, and other materials that reflect the depth and complexity of many of the common core English language arts standards.
  • Washington State Reading Assessment
  • Maine Department of Education – English Language Arts Performance Tasks
  • California Assessments of Student Performance and Student Progress Training Tests

PARCC Assessment Information

Twenty-four states have joined together to create the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC or Partnership). The goal is to create an assessment system and supporting tools that will help states dramatically increase the number of students who graduate high school ready for college and careers and provide students, parents, teachers and policymakers with the tools they need to help students – from grade three through high school – stay on track to graduate prepared. The Partnership will also develop formative tools for grades K-2.

• PARCC