A Student-Centered, Accessible System
The Smarter Balanced assessment system provides accurate measures of achievement and growth while challenging students to think critically and solve real-world problems. A core principle of the Smarter Balanced system is equity and accessibility for students.
Accessibility Supports for Students
Smarter Balanced tests are designed so that students—including students who are learning English or have special needs—can participate in the tests meaningfully. Our end-of-year tests include accessibility resources that reduce visual, auditory, cognitive, and physical access barriers—allowing test takers to demonstrate what they know and can do.
Supports for Families
Starting Smarter provides families in member states with information to help them better understand student score reports. With a complete picture of their child's learning, knowledge and skills, parents are starting smarter conversations with teachers about what they can do to support learning at home.
Not in a Smarter Balanced member state? Check out these public resources to support your child’s learning:
- Be a learning hero!
Visit the Learning Heroes website to find resources and tools to help your child thrive in school. - Parent-Teacher Planning Tool
Use this tool to have a meaningful conversation about your child’s test results and to co-create a learning plan with the teacher.
Explore More Smarter Balanced Resources
Practice Tests
Available for grades 3-8 and high school, utilizing the same testing software across all grade levels. Try out an English language arts/literacy or math test to learn how the test works, what’s expected of students, and what kind of questions are included on them.
Sample Items Website
Offers a preview of sample test questions similar to the ones used on Smarter Balanced assessments in English language arts/literacy and math. Families can explore features and individual test questions.
Calculators Powered by Desmos
Features calculators that are both free to students and include cutting edge accessibility features. Students who are visually impaired or blind have the same opportunities as their peers to use online calculators.