SBAC Interim Assessments
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) helps support California Common Core State Standards implementation through two optional resources:
The Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers is an collection of resources aligned to the California Common Core State Standards that supports K-12 teachers using formative assessment processes to adjust teaching and improve student learning.
Interim Assessments are designed to support teaching and learning throughout the school year. They are flexible and designed to provide actionable feedback for educators. Teachers can use this information to support their instruction and help students meet the challenge of college-and career-ready standards.
There are more than 160 interim assessments, available for distance learning through 2020-21 school year. During distance learning, the interim assessments may be administered without the need for a secure browser on the student's testing device. Instructions for starting an interim assessments without secure browser - CLICK HERE.
Tools for Teachers and the interim assessments are KEY RESOURCES to support instruction.
Interim Assessments
There are three types of Interim Assessments:
Interim Comprehensive Assessments (ICAs) are built on the same blueprints as the Summative Assessments and assess the same range of standards. Initially, they are being administered in a fixed-form format, but they’ll change to an adaptive format when more items become available. The ICAs include the same item types and formats as the Summative Assessments, including performance tasks, and yield results on the same vertical scale. The ICAs provide overall scale scores, overall performance level designations, and claim-level information.
Interim Assessment Blocks (IABs) focus on smaller sets of targets (1-8 targets) and provide more detailed information for instructional purposes. The blocks are initially available as fixed forms and will build out to include a computer adaptive algorithm when more items become available. The IABs yield overall information for each block.
Focused Interim Assessment Blocks (FIABs) focus on fewer assessment targets (1-3 targets) than most current IABs. These focused IABs are designed to measure smaller bundles of content to give teachers a better understanding of students’ knowledge and academic performance and provide teachers with precise next steps for instruction.
Educator Interim Assessment Previewing
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) has created an interface that provides educators with a preview of Interim Assessment Tests. Please note that to log on and view the tests, users need a Test Operations Management System (TOMS) account.
Smarter Item Catalogue
With the new Smarter Item Catalogue, educators can learn about the content assessed by interim assessment items and publicly-released items, such as those on Sample Items Website and the Practice Test. Sort, filter, and search across item fields, including grade, subject, claim, and standards.
Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Item Portal (New Resource!)
The Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Item Portal (IAIP) is a new tool that allows teachers to use interim assessment items to support the use of the formative assessment process. Teachers can select and assemble interim assessment items to better align with the sequence of their instruction. It is important to remember that interim assessment items are copyrighted, and it is prohibited for any items to be uploaded or posted to third-party websites and applications. An illustrated Interim Assessment Item Portal Flyer is available on the CAASPP website.