What is SBAC Testing?

SBAC stands for Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium

Who?  students in grades 3-8

What? The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is a state-led consortium working to develop next-generation assessments that accurately measure student progress toward college- and career-readiness. Smarter Balanced is one of two multistate consortia awarded funding from the U.S.Department of Education in 2010 to develop an assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

When? The starting and end date will not be the same at all schools. Each school will be sending additional information home to parents with specific dates. West Haven High School, Bailey Middle School and Carrigan Intermediate School begin testing on Tuesday, March 25. The elementary schools begin on April 7.

Where? Students will take the test in the classrooms using laptops or computer labs, as the test is taken on a computer. (They can still use a pencil and scrap paper for notes.)

Why?  Part of the adoption of the common core* curriculum is testing students’ math and language competency.

* The Common Core State Standards Initiative is an education initiative in the United States that details what K-12 students should know in English and math at the end of each grade. The initiative seeks to establish consistent education standards across the states as well as ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to enter two- or four-year college programs or enter the workforce.