SBAC Digital Library: Preview Accounts Now Available
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 07.10.14
Schools in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) have been waiting for the opening of the SBAC Digital Library, which will become fully accessible to California public schools starting in Fall 2014. Preview accounts are currently available to allow educators to get acquainted with the functionality of the Digital Library with a limited set of initial resources. It is hoped that the preview will help educators understand the future utility of the Digital Library.
Overview of the Digital Library
The SBAC Digital Library will be searchable and interactive, and will feature learning resources to support implementation of the Common Core State Standards. Content submissions for the Digital Library are currently being vetted by K-12 educators using specific quality criteria. The library will have three different kinds of materials.
- Assessment Literacy Modules for Educators, Students, and Families
These modules will support understanding of formative assessment in a balanced assessment system. Modules will highlight formative assessment practices and tools.
- Exemplary Instructional Modules
Educators will find coaching materials and demonstrations of effective formative assessment process implementation. This area will articulate key content from the Common Core State Standards for mathematics and English language arts.
- Education Resources
This section will offer free high-quality resources for educators, students, and parents. Materials will encourage reflection and support for formative assessment. Educators will be able to view, download, and rate resources. Technologies in this area will support linking with professional learning communities. Communities of educators from across the 22-state consortium will be able to collaborate and share their knowledge.
Accessing the Digital Library Preview
The Digital Library may be previewed from June 3 to September 30, 2014. During the preview period, educators can become acquainted with the functionality of the Digital Library and get a sense of the future utility of this new resource.
Superintendents and assessment coordinators were emailed instructions on how to obtain access to the Smarter Balanced Digital Library in late May. Sonoma County district superintendents, curriculum directors, and school principals can contact Rick Phelan at rphelan@scoe.org for assistance obtaining preview accounts.
Districts outside of Sonoma County should contact the California Department of Education at (916) 445-8517 or email caaspp@cde.ca.gov.
Blog: Technology for Learners
