Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) Update

1/30/2013 4:55:00 PM

The Scientific Sample Pilot testing will take place between February 20 and May 10, 2013. Tests at different grade levels and content areas will be available during different specific testing windows within this broader window and this will determine when each school will administer the pilot. Each school will be assigned a specific testing window.

Grades 3-11 will be assessed in the content areas of English language arts/literacy and mathematics. Schools will be assigned one or two grades to administer either an ELA or mathematics assessment in each designated grade.

The assessment is computer based and will feature the new selected-response and performance task item types. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium's website is an excellent resource to learn more about the item types and content specifications: www.smarterbalanced.org. Most testing times will range anywhere from 2 to approximately 3.5 hours depending on the school's assigned condition.

Several training opportunities will be provided to assist schools and districts in preparing for the pilot, including a high-level informational training on the assessment that will be presented on several occasions before and during the testing window. Additionally, five self-paced online training modules will provide more granular information on the pilot (Note: When available, all training materials will be posted to the Smarter Balanced portal http://sbac.portal.airast.org/.)

Training test so that students, teachers, coordinators, and administrators will have an opportunity to view the item types presented on the pilot forms and interact with the online test delivery system, becoming familiar with its look, feel, and functions. http://sbac.portal.airast.org/Training_Test/student.html

Accommodations guidance for the Pilot Test
http://sbac.portal.airast.org/Pilot_Test/resources.html?pilot#additional

The Pilot Test Administrator Manual and Test Coordinator Manual
http://sbac.portal.airast.org/Pilot_Test/resources/Smarter%20Balanced-19_TAM_final.pdf

Although the pilot test is not mandatory, ODE strongly encourages schools to take advantage of this exciting opportunity. Participating in the pilot test will offer districts and schools the chance to interact in the most authentic way with the online testing system and with new, innovative item types that will be part of future Smarter Balanced assessments.

Should you have additional questions about participating in the Scientific Sample Pilot Test, please contact DRC:
Phone: 800-847-3193
E-mail: SmarterBalancedRecruitment@DataRecognitionCorp.com eMail

Should you have additional questions about the Smarter Balanced Pilot Test in general please contact the AIR Help Desk:
Phone: 866-815-7246
E-mail: smarterbalancedpilot@air.org eMail

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