Smarter Balance Assessment Scores Unveiled

Boucher: We want to measure a student’s growth. Not whether this class did better than that class.

Hartford, CT – State Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) released the following statement today re: the State Department of Education unveiling of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) scores from school districts around the state.

“It is understandable that scores show decline. You cannot expect scores to be high when you are testing students who did not have much exposure to new curriculum prior to having to take the test.

“That is why I put forward bill proposals to phase in the instruction and tests at the early grades and move them up as students advanced in grade level. The SBAC test is based on the common core state standards, which has resulted in a test that is very different than its predecessor.

“In addition, the method of testing is new. The old tests were given with paper and pencil, the SBAC is all on computers. These are some of the reasons why I believe our teachers should review the tests when they are in the development stage and provide their best thinking as they know more than anyone what is needed for improvements. They are the experts!

“I continue to hear from teachers, parents and students about the significantly more than usual anxiety students are experiencing, the volume of testing and concerns about the loss of instruction time in our classrooms.

“Overall it is important to measure a student’s growth. However, a more deliberative thoughtful approach on such an important change in instruction and testing could have facilitated a smoother less disruptive and beneficial transition for all involved in the educational process.

“There is now a committee comprised of educators that is looking into many aspects of the test that has yet to report its findings. The Education Committee is certain to review their recommendations and seriously consider any changes that are suggested. We must work together and reclaim Connecticut’s reputation for top of the nation educational excellence.”

Senator Boucher is the Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Education Committee.

Background:
The Common Core curriculum and the “Smarter Balance” tests replace the CT Mastery Test.

The SBAC is intended to measure proficiency of students in grades three through eight and grade 11 in math and English.

Some students had previously taken SBAC as part of a pilot program in 2014. Just about all state students took the test for the first time last spring.

State officials say parents will get results mailed home to them from their district letting them know how their children did.

Note that the 11th grade SBAC test will be replaced by the SAT as directed by a bill we sponsored in the Education Committee in the spring 2015 session.