Smarter Updates

Learn more about Smarter Balanced’s latest assessment resources and releases, and updates around supports available to schools, districts, and member states.

Smarter Balanced Issues Request for Qualifications for K-2 Literacy and Dyslexia Screener

Santa Clara, CA, June 9, 2025 — Today, Smarter Balanced, a member-led assessment consortium serving students in math and English language arts (ELA) in grades 3-12, has released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking organizations for a grades K-2 literacy and dyslexia screener collaboration. The effort aims to strengthen alignment between early learning and later-grade…

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Smarter Balanced Announces Teaching and Learning Innovation Awards Recipients

Santa Clara, CA, May 14, 2025 – Today, Smarter Balanced announced the recipients of its Teaching and Learning Innovation Awards Program (Innovation Awards). Offering up to $10,000 to public school districts in Smarter Balanced member jurisdictions, the Innovation Awards highlight innovative practices using Smarter Balanced resources to inspire creative ideas for leveraging the Smarter Balanced…

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Smarter Balanced Unveils Initiative with IBM Consulting to Promote Responsible Use of AI in Educational Measurement

Santa Clara, CA, January 17, 2024 – Today, Smarter Balanced announced a new initiative to develop measurement-focused principles and guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational assessments. With experience creating scalable, trustworthy AI strategies, IBM Consulting will collaborate with Smarter Balanced to build a foundational AI framework that can help accelerate enhancements…

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Cover of "An Introduction to Considerations for Through-Year Assessment Programs: Purposes, Design, Development, Evaluation"

New Findings from Smarter Balanced on Through-Year Assessment Programs

Smarter Balanced is pleased to announce the publication of two papers that explore the viability and use of through-year assessment models.

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Back-to-School Reading List to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

Smarter Balanced is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) with a list of books to incorporate into the back-to-school season. The following books celebrate Hispanic characters, stories, authors, and inclusive content- organized by grades 3-12.

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6 Books for Teachers to Celebrate National Women’s Equality Day

Smarter Balanced is celebrating National Women’s Equality Day, which falls annually on August 26, with a reading list—highlighting women’s voices and the challenges they have faced in the field of education.

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Smarter Balanced Hires Executive Administrative Officer and Deputy Executive Program Officer

Santa Clara, CA, August 3, 2022—Smarter Balanced is pleased to announce the hirings of Bryce Carpenter, Ph.D. as its new Executive Administrative Officer and Rochelle Michel, Ph.D. as its new Deputy Executive Program Officer. The addition of these highly qualified individuals marks a commitment to building a robust organization committed to serving all students.

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New From Smarter Balanced: Findings from Two Through-Year Assessments Papers

Smarter Balanced is pleased to announce the publication of two papers that explore the viability and use of through-year assessment models.

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Three Steps to Incorporating Juneteenth Learning in the Classroom

On June 19, 1865, a Union general named Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, declaring that the Civil War was over and enslaved African-Americans were free.

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Smarter Balanced Hires Executive Program Officer

Santa Clara, CA, June 13, 2022 – Smarter Balanced is excited to announce the hiring of Lynelle Morgenthaler as its new Executive Program Officer.

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