Saturday, March 7, 2015

Smarter Balanced Testing

You should have received a pamphlet with your child's report card regarding the upcoming Smarter Balanced testing that will be occurring March-May this year. A letter of information went home on Friday to remind families that we will begin testing soon. This is a new computerized test that replaces the NECAP paper based test, and students across the state will be taking it.

 I would like to provide you with resources I have been given related to testing and preparation. There is a training video related to the tools that will be used during the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Additionally, you are welcome to take a look at the practice tests if you are interested in seeing what it looks like.

 I plan to spend time in the computer lab next week with students so that they may become familiar with the tools and format of the test.

Smarter Balanced - Student Tools - Training Video
Published on Mar 14, 2014--The following video will teach students how to use the Universal Tools they will see in the upcoming Smarter Balanced Assessment.


This video gives students/parents/teachers an idea of:
  • all the features and tools available to them;
  • how much typing is involved from the student; and
  • how to use tools/features to give best answers (e.g., strikethrough features to eliminate multiple choice answers).
Skills Expected for Test

 Mouse skills
right click for various options
home keys for typing
multiple choice--elimination
awareness of clicking into correct box, area, segment etc.

Keyboarding Skills
enter
taking notes

Test Taking Skills
shift for capitals, word processing
highlighting in reading passage

Test Practice Site



No data will be saved when you take the test. This is purely for the benefit of familiarizing with the features and format of the test.

Additional information for Smarter Balanced can be found at http://www.smarterbalanced.org

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