Make Your Voice Heard on SBAC Achievement Level Scores
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 09.03.14
Smarter Balanced is recruiting grade 3-12 educators, parents, and community/business leaders to join an online panel that will set Achievement Level scores for its assessments. This process is known as “standard setting” and it is a critical opportunity for participants to ensure that the score results from the Common Core-aligned assessments are based on rigorous, yet fair, expectations for students.
The online panel will collect input from diverse groups and establish consistent measures of progress for the Smarter Balanced interim and summative assessments.
During the online sessions, panelists will recommend achievement scores that demonstrate how much students should know or be able to do in order to be proficient at the grade-level standards and on track for eventual college and career readiness. Recommendations will be based on the Achievement Level descriptors written and approved by Smarter Balanced last year, claims and targets defined for each content area and grade level, and educator expertise in content areas and experience with students. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium wants to have as many participants as possible, from as many backgrounds as possible, to provide recommendations.
Online panels will convene to recommend Achievement Levels during a two-day window, from October 6 to October 17, 2014. It will take panelists up to three hours to complete the orientation process, review test questions, and recommend a score.
Interested in learning more about the process?
Review these frequently asked questions (pdf) about the panel.
If you’re ready to sign up, this link will take you to a registration page on the Smarter Balanced website. At the registration site, you will be asked to choose a grade level and content area (English language arts/literacy or mathematics) for participation. You’ll also need to provide an email address, role, and demographic information, then you’ll be asked to verify your email and select a two-day window for participation. Registration closes on September 19, 2014.
Blog: Technology for Learners
