Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments

Program Overview

The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments are comprehensive, end-of-year assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards for ELA and mathematics and measure progress toward college and career readiness. The tests capitalize on the strengths of computer adaptive testing—efficient and precise measurement across the full range of achievement and the timely turnaround of results.

Communication Resources

Smarter Balanced Summative Fact Sheet (PDF) provides additional information about the ELA and mathematics assessments.

Starting Smarter includes information on student score reports, sample test questions, parent-teacher conferences, and other no-cost resources in English and Spanish.

• Starting Smarter (Video; 0:32)

• Starting Smarter – Spanish (Video; 0:33)

Understanding the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment (Video; 8:03) provides information about the Smarter Balanced summative assessment in English.

Understanding the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment – Spanish (Video; 8:03) provides information about the Smarter Balanced summative assessment in Spanish.

Scores and Results Reporting

Test Results for California's Assessments Website – For directions on how to view results, go to Quick Reference Guides.

Early Assessment Program web page provides information on how the California State University utilizes California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress results to determine readiness for college-level coursework.

Student Score Report (SSR) Timelines and Cover Letter Templates provides what Local Educational Agencies can use for SSR distribution.

Technical Documents

Smarter Balanced Blueprints describe what students should know and be able to do for ELA and mathematics. California is currently using the adjusted form blueprints for ELA and mathematics.

Smarter Balanced Consortium Reports and Specifications web page provides advanced technical documentation about the process of developing the Smarter Balanced assessment system.

Test Development and Design provides materials used in the process of developing the Smarter Balanced assessment system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments Frequently Asked Questions – web page provides questions and answers about Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments.