Smarter Balanced Assessments
Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) are Washington’s statewide summative assessments in English language arts and math. Summative assessments determine students’ progress toward college and career readiness in English language arts/literacy, math and science. Test results are one piece of information about how your student is doing in school, however. Together with report cards and other information, test results let you know if your child is on track to succeed in higher grades and in their college and/or career.
Understanding your child's score
The Smarter Balanced report gives families information on how well their child performed on different sets of skills in each subject. Families can use this information to identify where their child is doing well and where they may need support or practice. This helps families better support learning at home. It can also help them start meaningful conversations with teachers, to set goals for each student’s areas of improvement and to identify resources and strategies that can be used at home and in school to help students make progress.
What the performance levels mean
Each level is a category of student performance on grade-level skills and knowledge in assessed content.
Level 4: Students consistently demonstrate advanced grade-level knowledge and skills with deep understanding and a full range of complexity.
Level 3: Students consistently demonstrate proficient grade-level knowledge and skills with a broad range of complexity.
Level 2: Students demonstrate foundational grade-level knowledge and skills with a limited range of complexity.
Level 1: Students do not consistently demonstrate grade-level knowledge and skills.
About BGPS’ Smarter Balanced Assessment
The Smarter Balanced assessment tests students in English, math and science at different points during their time in school. These assessments are given in the spring and consist of a computer adaptive test and a performance task.
Tips for parents and students
Questions?
If you have questions about your child’s participation in these assessments, please contact your school’s assessment coordinator or the district assessment coordinator.
Lacey Marsolek
360-885-5391
Email Lacey Marsolek