Beyond the bubble: Smarter Balanced school testing

Exclusive to the Sun by Louann Carlomagno, Sonoma Valley Unified School District Superintendent

Last spring, school districts across the state administered the new Smarter Balanced tests to students in grades 3-8 and grade 11. This test replaced the CST or California Standards Tests that have been in use for years. While the old test utilized the fill-in-the-bubble paper and pencil process that has frustrated students and educators for generations, Smarter Balanced is an online assessment. The transition to this testing paradigm has presented challenges to districts throughout California.

On the whole, however, districts are optimistic about the move to the new assessment. Because of the online format, there are many more possibilities in terms of test format and content, and these changes have a major impact on our students and teachers in Sonoma Valley. The old tests were focused on measuring a student’s knowledge of the information covered in the curriculum for the year. In other words, there was an emphasis on memorization.

Smarter Balanced is intended to measure a student’s ability to engage in critical thinking, problem solving and analytical writing. Some questions require short answers. Others require that students explain their answers. Some of the multiple choice questions can have more than one correct answer.

In addition, Smarter Balanced will adjust questions based on an individual student’s ability. Thus two fourth graders may answer different questions. If a student is doing well on math questions, they will continue to be given harder questions. If a student is struggling, they will get questions that will help teachers more fully understand the student’s strengths and weaknesses at his or her current level of understanding. It is hoped that this feature will not only inform instruction, but also help to avoid student’s feeling overwhelmed by questions that are simply too difficult.

The test reports will provide students, teachers and families with much more information on performance that the previous tests. This is a result of the computerization of the test, which allows for the data to be viewed in many different ways. Teachers will be able to better use the Smarter Balanced test results to identify a student or a group of students that are struggling or excelling in certain areas. Classroom activities can be designed to address the needs of these students.

Ultimately, Smarter Balanced is intended to help all students become college and career ready by the time that they graduate from high school. This aligns with Sonoma Valley’s own mission, adopted in 2011. Of course, the test itself is only one measure of student achievement. Parents should look at such things as their student’s classroom engagement, enthusiasm regarding school, homework habits, attendance, extra-curricular activities, and, most importantly, input from teachers, in assessing their student’s overall progress.

Louann Carlomagno is the Superintendent of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District.