8 Reasons to Check Out the Updated Sample Items Website
Updates to the Smarter Balanced Sample Items Website bring a fresh look and new features that make this tool even more useful for teachers and parents. Here are eight reasons why you’ll definitely want to take a look!
1. Find items by target
This feature will probably be most useful to teachers, but we’ve added the ability to narrow down items based on its target — a specific subsection of a claim for math and English language arts/literacy. Why does it matter? Now educators can better pinpoint examples of the content that students encounter on Smarter Balanced tests.
2. See definitions of targets in search results
Speaking of targets, it’s not always very useful to just see the target code (i.e., “Target C”) in your search results. So we’ve now added the ability to get a brief definition of that specific target so you actually know what it means. All you have to do is hover your mouse cursor over the target code (or tab to it on your keyboard) to see it.
3. View search results in a table
And speaking of search results, you can now see all items matching your criteria in a table view with sortable columns. You can still see the classic “card view” by toggling the buttons above the search results.
4. Filter Math Items by Calculator
Not all Smarter Balanced math questions allow students to use calculators. If you’re specifically looking for an example question that does (or does not) allow calculator, this new option has you covered.
5. Use Desmos Calculators—and learn more about them
When you go to a math item that allows calculators, you’ll now see the embedded Desmos Calculators that students use on the actual tests. We’ve also added additional information about Desmos Calculators to learn more about these open-source calculators with state-of-the-art accessibility features.
6. Try out text-to-speech support
From the Accessibility Options menu, turn on text-to-speech to hear the test question read aloud to you. This feature is an accommodation available to students who need it on the operational test.
7. Watch item tutorials
Smarter Balanced test include many interactive items, and the Item Tutorial feature explains how the item works with a brief video.
8. Check out some new items!
This update includes new math performance tasks, which are groups of questions and activities related to the same theme or scenario. Performance tasks are one way that Smarter Balanced tests measure students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. And just like the previous version of the site, you can browse sample items by performance task, too—just select this option from the Advanced Filters.