Smarter Balance is a test type that is being piloted all over Iowa in both elementary and junior/senior high schools.
So what do I know so far?
It is done on computers in a two week time line.
It has a manual that is 147 pages long.
All students need head phones and no part of the test can be read to the students.
It is not a timed test but recommendations say one week is the plan.
There are 4 types of questions that go from multiple choice to written responses.
Oh I could go on ... I have 4 pages on notes so far.
Hope the tech goes as planned. That is always the issue lately.
So after the question will be better or worse than Iowa Assessments?
We will see....
Books I read in April 2024
1 day ago
Sat in on the High School version of the pilot. Having a difficult time of seeing how it is anything but a crash. Will work with the Middle School pilot on Tuesday. We will see if it is any different. Would like to hear from other schools piloting it what experiences they have had.
ReplyDeleteOkay here is the low down. Finished with the 6th grade elementary. I see how it totally relates to the Iowa Core. They go hand in hand. The tech part of the process needs a lot of fine tuning. Lots of restarts and assistance needed from the Help desk. Not of delays and waiting so make sure the students have a good book to read. The process of the pilot was wonderful and made the teachers all part of the team and process. The students general consensus was it was difficult. A few enjoyed the challenge. Now I would like to hear from other schools.
ReplyDeleteFinished the test administrator survey. Questions seemed of been leaning to how the test was not whether the test should be taken or how it was better or worse than the Iowa Assessments. Of course why would of been when the survey was from Smarter Balance. Perhaps the Department of Education should have a survey of their own comparing and contrasting the two tests and also the time line needed to prepare students and staff for a change of testing format. What do you think?
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