Smarter Balanced Assessment

Do you teach 3rd-12th grade math? Do you teach in a state that takes the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)? Did you know there is a difference between SBA and Common Core (CCSS)?

We have all heard of Common Core, whether it was in your undergrad program or your school is standards based. Even states that have created their own state standards are modeled after these standards. Whether you like or agree with these standards or not, as teachers it is our duty to prepare our students for their next learning experience. These standards are a progression beginning in Kindergarten and ending with 12th grade. If we teach to this progression we are preparing our students the best we can.

Those that teach in states that take the SBA have a whole other hurdle to overcome. Smarter Balanced isn’t another set of standards, it is this companies interpretation of the CCSS. It is their way of assessing these standards. 3rd-12th grade teachers need to be aware of the test item specifications. If you have never seen these, click here.

This is where I come in. I have done a ton of research into the SBA assessment for 3rd-5th grade. I have taught these three grades in math. I have seen the progression first hand. If you are struggling bridging the gap for your students, check out this website. They have created a progressions document for all five math domains.

I have used the item specifications to write test like questions. If you teach 5th grade, look no further. In my store, you can find 5th grade domain assessments, and standards based practice and formative sets. I am in the process of creating these for 3rd and 4th grade as well.