ODE News Mathematics

Smarter Balanced Field Test: Districts Encouraged to Participate

Fri, 4 Oct 2013 17:19:00 GMT

In the spring (mid-March to early June) of 2014, Smarter Balanced will conduct the Field Test of its innovative next-generation assessments. Schools in Oregon have the opportunity to participate in and experience an assessment that is closely aligned with the content, configuration, and length of the planned 2015 operational assessments.

Districts are strongly encouraged to volunteer for the Smarter Balanced Field Test (SBFT). Under current circumstances, Oregon districts that volunteer and are selected to participate in the SBFT must use the traditional model and double test those students taking the SBFT on OAKS. If a pending recommendation is approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) and USED approves Oregon's waiver request, districts might receive flexibility to either choose to administer the OAKS assessment to students participating in the SBFT or they could choose to exclude those students tested on the SBFT from taking OAKS. However, if the SBE disagrees with ...MORE

Clarification: Stylus Not Required for Smarter Field Test

Wed, 2 Oct 2013 15:32:00 GMT

ODE has received inquiries from districts regarding whether Smarter plans to require use of a stylus when administering the Smarter Mathematics Assessment. While Smarter is investigating the use of a stylus for future administrations of the Smarter Mathematics Assessment, they will not be required for the 2013-2014 field test or for the 2014-2015 operational assessment. Pending the results of the Math Reasoning Project which is anticipated to be completed in 2016-17, Smarter would first introduce the use of a stylus in the context of the Smarter interim assessments before phasing them in for use on the operational summative assessment in later years.

September 2013 Mathematics Teacher Update Released

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 22:02:00 GMT

In the September 2013 Mathematics Teacher Update you will read about professional development opportunities, teacher and student competitions and awards, and much more. To learn about subscribing to the Mathematics Teacher Update, please visit the Content Area Teacher Newsletters web page.

Smarter Balanced Adopts Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:57:00 GMT

The Governing States of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) voted to approve the Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines in advance of a large-scale Field Test of the assessment system in early 2014. The unanimous decision by the Consortium's Governing States represents an important milestone toward implementing assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards in the 2014-15 school year.

Developed in collaboration with member states and nationally recognized experts, the Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines will shape the delivery of online testing for all students, including those with visual, auditory, linguistic, or physical needs. The research-based policy outlines three categories of resources to ensure that the assessments meet the needs of all students. The categories further distinguish between embedded tools included in the testing platform and non-embedded tools.

A set of ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Launches Webpage to Reach Broader Audience

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:53:00 GMT

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) recently launched a Spanish webpage with downloadable factsheets for teachers, parents, and students. The webpage provides information on the assessment system and the Consortium's work to meet the needs of all students, including English language learners (ELLs). The webpage for Spanish speakers can be accessed from the Smarter Balanced website at: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents-students/como-ayudar-a-todos-los-estudiantes-a-que-tengan-exito/.

Smarter Balanced Field Test: Participation Opportunities for Schools and Districts

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:39:00 GMT

In the spring (mid-March to early June) of 2014, Smarter Balanced will conduct the Field Test of its innovative next-generation assessments. Schools in Oregon have the opportunity to participate in and experience an assessment that is closely aligned with the content, configuration, and length of the planned 2015 operational assessments. Additional information about the Smarter Balanced Field Test can be accessed at http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn/commoncore/smarter-balanced_fieldtest.pdf .

To submit your interest in participating in the 2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test, click on this link: http://www.formstack.com/forms/fieldtest-recruitment.

Please submit your interest by October 15, 2013.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Releases New Performance Tasks

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 23:30:00 GMT

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) has released a set of sample assessment items and performance tasks in English language arts/literacy and mathematics. The sample items and tasks provide an advance look at the types of questions students will encounter when the assessments are implemented in the 2014-15 school year. Developed in collaboration with educators and content experts, the sample items and tasks are meant to help teachers, administrators, and policymakers better understand the Common Core State Standards and prepare for the implementation of the Smarter Balanced assessments. Please note that the sample items and tasks are displayed using a simulated test platform that does not include accessibility and accommodations tools that will be available when the assessments are administered to students.

SBAC Tasks and Rubrics
http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/resources/

SBAC ...MORE

TEACHER NOMINATIONS for 2013-14 Criteria Development for Common Core State Standards in Mathematics and/or English Language Proficiency

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 20:21:00 GMT

The Oregon Department of Education is looking for nominations of teachers, curriculum specialists and others who have interest and experience in Common Core State Standards in Mathematics and/or English Language Proficiency to participate in the development of instructional materials criteria.

Travel and substitute costs will be reimbursed.

Friday, October 18, 2013
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Oregon Department of Education
Basement Room A

Nomination Recommendation Form
(to be completed by a superintendent or principal)

Nomination Acceptance Form
(to be completed if you have been recommended by your superintendent or principal)

You may recommend yourself for nomination but you must be nominated by a supervisor.

New Mathematics Assessment Specialist comes to ODE

Thu, 8 Aug 2013 21:53:00 GMT

Bryan Toller is the new Mathematics Assessment Specialist for the Oregon Department of Education. He brings with him thirteen years of classroom teaching experience, including six years at Southridge High School in the Beaverton School District and seven years teaching at Perrydale High School in the Perrydale School District. Bryan has a broad perspective gained from working in large urban school and a small rural school that will be valuable in his new position. Recently married, Bryan and his new wife live in Salem and enjoy getting outdoors as much as possible. Bryan received his BS in Mathematics from Linfield College and his MAT from Pacific University.

Information for the Smarter Balanced Field Test

Thu, 8 Aug 2013 19:02:00 GMT

Testing Window:

The Smarter Balanced Field Test is scheduled to be administered

March 18 - June 6, 2014.

Smarter Balanced Practice Test and Scoring Guides

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 16:45:00 GMT

Teachers, parents, and students across the country can now access online practice tests aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Smarter Balanced released sets of example test questions for grades 3-8 and 11 in both English language arts/literacy and mathematics. The Practice Tests will help schools prepare for the implementation of the Smarter Balanced assessment system in the 2014-15 school year.

The Practice Tests provide a preview of the types of questions that will be featured in the summative assessment beginning in 2014-15, including selected-response items, constructed-response items, technology-enhanced items, and performance tasks - extended activities that challenge students to apply their knowledge and skills to respond to real-world problems. Scoring Guides for each of the fixed-form assessments have also been released and posted to assist stakeholders with understanding how items are evaluated: http://s ...MORE

June 2013 Mathematics Teacher Update Released

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 16:00:00 GMT

In the June 2013 Mathematics Teacher Update you will read about professional development opportunities, teacher and student competitions and awards, and much more. To learn about subscribing to the Mathematics Teacher Update, please visit the Content Area Teacher Newsletters web page.