Background on SBAC Field Tests

Signed into law on October 2, Assembly Bill 484 initiates a Field Test in Spring 2014 for students in grades 3-11.  The tests will be administered between March 18 and June 6, 2014. Shorter windows within this timeframe will be assigned to schools by California’s testing contractor, Education Testing Service (ETS).  Grade 3-11 students will participate in the Field Tests. According to a recent letter from State Superintendent Tom Torlakson(pdf), “...ninety five percent of students will take a sampling of both ELA and mathematics items plus one performance task for subject subject. The remaining five percent of students will take either ELA or mathematics items plus one performance task for either subject.” In l ate November/early December, the specific content area and testing window for each school will be assigned by ETS. No student, school, or district scores will be produced from the tests. Results will not be factored into any state or federal accountability calculations.

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Field Test Outcomes

The Spring 2014 Field Test is a trial run of the system in preparation for 2014-15 assessments. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium will be evaluating test items and the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE). Three important outcomes are anticipated from the Field Tests:

• Students will have hands-on experience with a computer-based assessment
• Teachers and administrators will be exposed to the test administration logistics
• Districts will learn where technology gaps exist and what needs to be accomplished prior to 2014-15 testing

Preliminary Logistics

 

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• State-certified educators – teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors
• Paraprofessionals – must be closely supervised by an on-site, state-certified educator
• Substitute teachers – if not credentialed in California, substitutes must be closely supervised by an on-site state-certified educator

Regardless of their role, all test administrators were required to complete test administration training and review policy documents prior to any testing. Webinars and PDF documents were available to complete these requirements. Information about training for the 2014 Field Tests is provided below.

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Secure Test Web Browsers

On November 19, the secure browser becomes available at the SBAC Field Test Portal, along with the Technical Specifications Manual and Secure Browser for Tablets User Guide. Installing the Field Test secure browser – The Field Test secure browser must be downloaded on each computer being used for testing. The browser can be installed individually or deployed to all computers through a network. The secure browser prevents access to other online applications during testing and ensures that test items cannot be copied.  Schools that have accessed other versions of a secure browser must download the current Field Test secure browser. Other secure browsers will not work for the Field Test. (Note that other secure browsers do not need to be uninstalled; more than one secure browser can be on a computer.)

Training Modules

A variety of training modules, listed below, are being developed to support Field Test administration. Most modules will be released by January 28, 2014 at the Smarter Balanced website. Berryessa schools are encouraged to promote awareness of these modules with the appropriate audience(s) when they become available.

• What is a Field Test? | For students | Overview of Smarter Balanced and why students are participating in the Field Test
• What is a CAT? | For districts and teachers | Explains how Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) differs from paper-and-pencil tests and shows how tests are customized for each student
• Let’s Talk Tools | For students and teachers | Describes the types of tools that have been designed to help students during the test administration
• Technology Requirements for Online Testing | For technology coordinators | Outlines the hardware requirements, software installation processes, and system configurations necessary
• Performance Tasks | For teachers and administrators | Overview of what can be expected during the administration of the Performance Tasks
• TIDE User Roles | For district coordinators and administrators | Detailed information on how to upload student information and manage users
• Test Administrator Interface | For test coordinators and teachers | Information on the look, feel, and navigation of the administrator interface
• Student Interface | For students and district/school administrators | Navigating and interacting with the screens that the students will see
• Test Administrator Training | For test administrators | Information related to preparing for the test, general test administration, and test security
• Accessibility and Accommodations | For teachers and parents | Overview of various tools that are provided to accommodate student testing needs

Calendar of Key Dates

January 14, 2014 
TIDE User Guide released to Field Test portal
TIDE registration window launches

January 28, 2014 
Training modules begin to be released to Field Test portal

January 29, 2014 
Test Coordinator Manual released to Field Test portal
Test Administration Manual released to Field Test portal