For
most elementary and junior high school students, this spring will mark
the first time in four years that they will no longer take the
Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) state test in math, reading, and
writing.
The
math and literacy sections of the MSP are being replaced by a new
“Smarter Balanced” assessment. The online assessment was tested last
spring in 11 Puyallup schools — the most from any school district
statewide.
Students
will try out the Smarter Balanced assessment as part of the state’s
continued testing phase again this spring in every junior high and all
but two (Firgrove and Spinning) elementary schools.
Fifth and eighth graders statewide will continue, however, to take the MSP in science this spring.
Full
implementation of the new Smarter Balanced test will occur throughout
the Puyallup School District and Washington state in spring 2015. The
test will be given to students in grades three through eight, and in
grade 11.
The test is organized in two content areas – math, and English language arts/literacy (combines reading and writing).
The
Smarter Balanced assessment is aligned to a set of national standards —
or learning goals — in math and English language arts/literacy. These
standards are called “Common Core” and define the knowledge and skills
students need to be prepared for college and career opportunities.
The
online Smarter Balanced tests are taken on a computer and include
multiple choice questions, as well as short and long responses and
performance tasks that allow students to demonstrate real-world problem
solving.
Practice
tests for the new Smarter Balanced assessment are available for parents
and students to view on the Internet. A link to the practice tests is
posted on the Puyallup School District website at http://ow.ly/ra3x0
More information about Smarter Balanced tests is available at www.smarterbalanced.org.
Common Core
By
the 2014-15 school year, the Common Core standards will be fully
implemented in kindergarten through grade 12 in schools across
Washington and many other states across the nation.
Common Core standards replace Washington’s current math, reading, and writing learning standards.
By
having a common set of math, reading, and writing learning goals across
the country, educators say it will help prepare a child for a smoother
transition between schools when a family moves from one state to
another.
More information about Common Core standards is available at www.readywa.org.
New test brings new rigor
The
new Smarter Balanced assessment is expected to be more rigorous than
the MSP, said Glenn Malone, executive director of assessment,
accountability, and student success. Families can expect, therefore, to
see a drop in student test scores statewide beginning with the first
year of implementation in spring 2015, Malone said.
Because
the Smarter Balanced assessment is still in the testing phase this
year, student scores from the spring 2014 field test will not be
available to school districts or the students’ families, Malone said.