State Assessments

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    Each spring the District assesses student learning of the Common Core State Standards using the Smarter Balanced Assessment, developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC).

    The Smarter Balanced Assessment is designed to test higher level thinking skills and will be given on electronic devices and/or computers. The Smarter Balanced Assessment is adaptive, meaning the test will automatically adjust its level of rigor for each question based on how each student answers the questions. Teachers will also have access to interim assessments that will be used at intervals throughout the year to check student readiness.

     
     

     

Additional Resources

  • Great Kids!

    This organization provides parents with concrete tips and ideas for improving student learning by grade and subject area. Of note, they have a helpful library of videos that show grade-by-grade reading, math, and writing skills in action.
     

    The State of Washington has developed "Your Child's Progress" to help parents understand learning standards in all subjects from First grade through High School for the 2014-15 school year.  There is also detailed information, by grade level, about the schedule for State assessment windows.   Materials are available online and in print for English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Tagalog and Vietnamese. 

     
    This organization is where the state-led effort to develop common standards in Mathematics and English Language Arts all started.  The complete standards are available to read and download here.  This site also has a strong FAQ and an informative "Myths vs. Facts" section.
     
    Ready WA Coalition
    Ready Washington is a coalition of Washington state education agencies, associations and advocacy organizations that has created Common Core education materials tailored to parents and interested citizens who want to learn more about the history and rationale behind the state-led Common Core standards.  The Frequently Asked Questions section is very informative and there's also a link to a practice Smarter Balanced assessment.
     
    This organization of urban public school districts has created an extensive website on the Common Core State Standards. Their Parent Roadmaps provide specific information on what students will learn at grades Kindergarten through High School and how parents can help student learn outside of school.  Materials are available in English and Spanish.
     
    The National Parent Teacher Association created Parents' Guides to Student Success.  These guides provide an overview of what your child will learn by the end of each grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy, activities that parents can do at home and methods for building stronger relationships with your child's teacher.