AB 484 Advances use of Technology in K-12 Schools
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 10.14.13
This spring, public schools in California will begin using a new technology-driven state assessment. Signed into law on October 2, Assembly Bill 484 is significant because it establishes the California Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress (CalMAPP). The assessments that are part of CalMAPP will foster greater use of technology for measuring and supporting efforts related to the Common Core State Standards.
Technology plays an important role in the new CalMAPP system via the application of computer-adaptive assessment. These assessments engage students in completing formative and summative assessments using Internet-connected computers. Individual student responses are monitored and a student’s responses affect the difficulty of subsequent questions.
Computer-adaptive assessment allows for a far more precise measurement of student skills and knowledge than the kind of assessments used by schools in the past. Actionable results will be provided to teachers and students in a more timely fashion—planners estimate three weeks or less.
A letter from State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torklakson offers more perspective: “The new assessments will be computer-based, allowing for a much broader range of test questions than the multiple-choice exams given under STAR. As a result, the new assessments are expected to emphasize critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving, modeling the kind of teaching and learning needed to prepare all students for the demands of college and the modern workplace.”
AB 484 adds urgency to California public school district preparation for the new assessment system. The bill mandates Spring 2014 assessments in English-language arts or math for students in grades 3-8 and 11 at all California public schools.
Key components of the California’s new assessment and accountability system are being developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). To prepare for the assessments, district work is taking place in four areas:
- Internet broadband capacity is being evaluated and upgraded as necessary.
- Computer hardware is being inventoried to ensure there are sufficient student workstations for testing and to support the integration of technology in learning.
- Educators are obtaining staff development related to Common Core State Standards, learning instructional strategies, and focusing on how to monitor and support student achievement of the new standards.
- Schools are studying how to effectively integrate technology as a tool for learning across the grades.
More information and resources:
California Department of Education, AB 484 Questions & Answers
Sonoma County Office of Education, Smarter Balanced Assessment Resources
Blog: Technology for Learners
