2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test Update

1. 2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test Update Presentation to California Teachers AssociationFebruary 7, 2014Deborah Baumgartner, AdministratorAssessment Programs Support and Outreach OfficeAssessment Development and Administration Division

2. 2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test Update Agenda • Practice Tests • Training Tests • Training Modules • Secure Browsers • Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) • California Online Field Test Administration Manual • New Test Security Agreements and Affidavits • Field Test Workshops

3. Smarter Balanced Practice Tests • Designed to provide students with grade-specific testing experience similar in format and structure to the Field Test. • Updated version is now available that includes the following enhancements: • Streamlining, a new designated support • Masking, a designated support • American Sign Language videos (with human signers) for all mathematics and English-language arts (ELA) listening stimuli • Available at http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/

4. Field Test Preparation Activitiesfor LEAs and Schools • Provide opportunities for staff to familiarized themselves with Smarter Balanced Item types. Sample items are available at http://www.smarterbalanced.org/sample-items-and-performance-tasks/. • Have students and teachers use the practice tests, available at http://sbac.portal.airast.org/Practice-Test/.

5. Smarter Balanced Training Tests • The Training Tests are a new tool available through the Practice Test portal for preparing teachers and students for the Field Test. • They allow teachers and students the opportunity to experience the Field Test format along with: • Features unique to computer-based testing • Functionality • Item types • Students can familiarize themselves with the software and navigational tools they will use during the Field Test.

6. Smarter Balanced Training Tests (cont.) • Unlike the Practice Tests, they are not designed to provide a grade-specific testing experience; instead, their purpose is to help students understand the test format and how they will interact with the technology. • Training Tests include questions for both ELA and mathematics. • A training test is available for each of three grade bands: 3-5, 6-8, and high school and contains approximately 6-9 items per band, per content area. • Training Tests are available at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/.

7. Comparison of Training Tests and Practice Tests

8. Training Modules • New training modules were released on January 30 to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Field Test portal at http://sbac.portal.airast.org/field-test/resources/#manuals. Videos (6- to 23-minutes) provide information on the following topics: • Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) • What is a Field Test? • Let’s Talk Universal Tools • What is a CAT? • Performance Task Overview • Student Interface for Online Testing • Technology Requirements for Online Testing

9. Training Modules (cont.) • Additional modules are to be available on February 10: • Accessibility and Accommodations • Test Administrator Interface for Online Testing • Smarter Balanced Test Administration Overview

10. Available Secure Browsers • Windows • Mac • iPad • Chromebook • Linux • Android • Available for download through the portal: http://sbac.portal.airast.org/browsers/.

11. Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) • The California Department of Education (CDE) will submit an initial student-level registration data file with all students participating in the Field Test to the TIDE system. • By February 18, local educational agencies (LEAs) must ensure that all currently enrolled students in grades three through eleven are up-to-date and accurate in CALPADS. • More information available in the February 5 letter from CDE to CALPADS LEA Administrators and LEA CAASPP Coordinators.

12. Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) (cont.) • TIDE will be available to LEAs the week of February 10. The LEA CAASPP Coordinator will receive an e-mail with instructions.

13. California Online Field Test Administration Manual • The California Online Field Test Administration Manual for the Smarter Balanced Field Test is expected to be available to LEAs on February 7, 2014. • The manual contains instructions on test administration procedures specifically for California LEA testing coordinators, test site coordinators, and test administrators.

14. New Test Security Agreements and Affidavits • Emergency regulations adopted by the State Board of Education for the CAASPP assessments contain updates to test coordinator and examiner responsibilities. • LEA CAASPP Coordinators must sign and submit to ETS new CAASPP Test Security Agreements. • Site CAASPP Coordinators must sign new Test Security Agreements, and examiners and other staff having access to secure materials must sign CAASPP Test Security Affidavits prior to receiving materials. • Educational Testing Service (ETS) sent an e-mail with new forms to LEA CAASPP Coordinators on February 4.

15. Field Test Workshops • ETS has begun presenting regional Field Test workshops to LEA testing and technology coordinators. • A total of 30 workshops are currently scheduled. • Workshops provide information on test preparation and administration, including technology needs, administration procedures, and security issues. • LEA testing coordinators will use the information to train site coordinators.

16. Field Test Workshops (cont.)Field Test Workshop Dates for LEA Staff

17. For Further Information California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Office caaspp@cde.ca.gov 916-445-8765 CDE Smarter Balanced Field Test Web Page http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/smarterfieldtest.asp Smarter Balanced Technology Readiness Tool (TRT) http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/sbac-itr-index.asp California Technical Assistance Center http://californiatac.org/ 800-955-2954