Smarter Balanced Assessment: Confusion In The First Testing In Vermont And New Hampshire

Despite the many advantages of the new Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC), there are some who focused on the shortcomings of the new program. As proof, there were confusions when the new assessment was rolled out in Vermont and New Hampshire.

@ValVerdeUSD Families: -Curious to know more about the upcoming tests your children will be participating in? Visit https://t.co/ChT7GKdB5D

— VVUSD Family (@VVUSD_Family) April 1, 2016

Advantages of Smarter Balanced Assessment

Valley News reports details on the latest standardized testing program called Smarter Balanced Assessment, which was rolled out in Vermont and New Hampshire in March. The new exam, which replaced the traditional pen and paper New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP), is a computerized comprehensive measure of students' knowledge.

This is offered in grades three through eight and 11. The new assessment was rolled out in spring last year. One of the highlights of the new assessment is the real-time evaluation of the students' answers, adjusting the questions according to the students' level of understanding.

More so, the tests can be divided so students can take them for several days, unlike the old test, which should be done all in one day. With the new technology, words can be translated or read out loud for students with difficulty in the English language, even reading.

Disadvantages of Smarter Balanced Assessment

There was confusion when the SBAC was rolled out in Vermont and New Hampshire. There were feedbacks about the format which caused the mix-up according to Mike Harris, Lyme Superintendent.

Students ended up taking the wrong tests because of mislabelling issues. As a result, the test was stopped and a second testing was scheduled. Harris said that it could affect the students' scores.

There were also concerns about the time spent familiarizing the new format of SBAC. The process was described by Harris as both arduous and time-consuming. The same sentiments were echoed by SAU 70 Superintendent Frank Bass, where SBAC was found to be redundant compared to an assessment system adapted by Hanover-Norwich schools.

Is it effective in measuring students' learning?

Education Week reports that there was a huge decrease in the rate of students who participated in SBAC year. From 46 percent last year, only 32 percent participated from the different public schools in the United States.

The report says that some of the states have exchanged and mixed in SBAC with their own set of assessments. Finding the best tool to assess students' learning is still on-going. To know more about Smarter Balanced Assessment, check out the video below: