Fact Sheet: What is the Smarter Balanced Field Test?

Idaho is committed to making sure every student is prepared to succeed in college and the workplace. That’s why public schools are implementing the Idaho Core Standards, which are consistent guidelines for what every child should know and be able to do at each grade level. New assessments aligned with the Idaho Core Standards will measure real world skills like critical thinking and problem solving.

Administered online, these assessments will adapt to each student’s ability, providing parents and teachers with more accurate and meaningful information about what students are learning. While the previous ISAT was a stagnant, multiple-choice-only test, the new Smarter Balanced Assessment will use different types of questions to measure a student’s true ability in each subject area.

To date, more than 100 Idaho teachers have been involved in developing the new Smarter Balanced Assessment for Idaho.

Quick Questions

Q: What will happen to the current ISAT?
A: A Field Test is a “dress rehearsal” of the test to make sure it is valid, reliable, and fair for all students and to give schools the opportunity to test their technology and logistics.

Q: What is the timeline for phasing in the new test?
A: Idaho is phasing in the new test over three years. In Spring 2013, 124 Idaho schools piloted the test. This year, all public schools will participate in the Field Test. Next year, the new Smarter Balanced Assessment will be fully implemented and scores will be given.

Q: What is a Field Test?
A: The Smarter Balanced Assessment will replace the ISAT in mathematics and English language arts. Idaho will still use the ISAT to measure students’ performance in science.

Smarter Balanced Is a Better Test

The Smarter Balanced Assessment will be different from Idaho’s previous ISAT in several ways:

1. The questions will challenge students. Because this test is aligned to the new Idaho Core Standards, students now are learning at a higher level in mathematics and English language arts, such as critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will be measured against these higher expectations on the year-end test.
2. The new test will have different types of questions. Instead of a multiple-choice-only test, students now will be asked to explain their answers, write essays, and more.
3. The new test is more than a year-end test. The state also will provide assessment tools for Idaho’s teachers to use in the classroom throughout the school year to monitor each student’s progress and make sure every child is on track to reach academic goals.

Tips for Parents

• Visit www.smarterbalanced.org and take a practice test with your child.
• Because the new standards emphasize critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, you should ask your child more open-ended or “why” questions. Encourage your child to think critically in everyday life. Let them know it is okay if they don’t answer right away. Problem-solving takes time.
• Encourage your child to take the Field Test seriously. While this is essentially a practice round, we want every child to try their best. Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast, gets a lot of rest and comes to school prepared and comfortable to take this test.

IDAHO STUDENTS TO BEGIN TAKING SMARTER BALANCED FIELD TEST THIS WEEK

Beginning this week, students in public schools across Idaho will get to experience the new test that will replace the ISAT next year.

While Idaho will not officially transition to the new Smarter Balanced Assessment until next year, the state is conducting a Field Test of this new assessment for all students in grades 3-8 and 11 this spring.

A Field Test is an extended pilot, or “dress rehearsal,” that helps the state measure the validity and reliability of test questions. It also gives schools the opportunity to test their logistics in administering the new assessment and gives every student the opportunity to experience the new assessment.

Because it is just a Field Test, no scores will be given this year. Next year, the test will be fully implemented in all public schools, and scores will be given.

The state is implementing the new assessment because Idaho has transitioned to higher academic standards – known as the Idaho Core Standards – in mathematics and English language arts. Any time the state changes standards, it also must realign its year-end test to measure students against these higher standards.

“I am excited about the new Smarter Balanced Assessment because it is a better assessment tool to help measure a student’s critical-thinking and problem-solving skills,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “For years, parents and teachers have demanded more than a multiple-choice test. Whereas the ISAT was a stagnant, multiple-choice-only test, this new assessment provides multiple question types to better measure what a child knows and is able to do at the end of each grade level. This will greatly benefit students, parents, and teachers by providing a more accurate measure of how Idaho students are performing each year.”

Most school districts will begin administering the Field Test April 1, but some are starting as early as March 25. The state granted additional flexibility in the testing window this year to any school that wanted more time in scheduling the Field Test.

Idaho has collaborated with more than 20 other states to develop this year-end assessment, as well as assessment tools teachers can use in the classroom throughout the school year to monitor student progress. More than 100 educators from Idaho have participated in the development and review of assessment items, achievement level descriptors, and test specifications since 2011.

In addition, Superintendent Luna appointed the Smarter Balanced Advisory Committee, a group of superintendents, principals, teachers and other educators, to advise the State Department of Education throughout the Field Test.

Idaho has been phasing in the new Smarter Balanced Assessment to replace the ISAT over three years, including a pilot in 2013 and the Field Test this year.

Check out the Department’s Idaho Core Standards website for more information on Idaho Core Standards or the new Smarter Balanced Assessment.

Know a great STEM teacher? Nominate them for the INDEEDS Award!

A coalition of Idaho’s leading industries have partnered with the Idaho State Department of Education and Idaho State Board of Education to improve a prestigious awards program to recognize and reward Idaho’s teachers who are working hard every day to grow the next generation of leaders in science and technology.

Formerly known as the GIANTS Award, the new Industry’s Excellent Educators Dedicated to STEM Awards Program –referred to as INDEEDS – has been unveiled this year to better reflect the critical role business and industry play in identifying, recognizing and rewarding excellent science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) teachers across Idaho.

INDEEDS is proudly sponsored by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Micron Foundation, Washington Division of URS, Hewlett-Packard Company, Idaho Power, and LCF Enterprises, with support from the Idaho Technology Council, Discovery Center of Idaho, Idaho State Department of Education, and Idaho State Board of Education.

The new award also will help duplicate their successes within local schools and communities.

Every school principal can now nominate up to one teacher in his or her school for the INDEEDS Award. If you know a deserving teacher, encourage your principal to submit a nomination!

Two Idaho teachers will receive the INDEEDS Award each year. Each INDEEDS awardee will receive:

• A $2,000 individual cash prize to recognize and reward his/her personal success, and
• A $2,000 grant to expand STEM activities within his/her school and community.

All INDEEDS awardees also will be publicly recognized at the Idaho Technology Council’s Annual Hall of Fame and Innovation Awards Banquet in October.

Nominations are due to the State Department of Education no later than April 3, 2014 at 5 p.m. MST. Check out the INDEEDS website for more information.  

Here’s what leaders in education, business and industry are saying about the INDEEDS Award:

“There is an inseparable link between a growing, robust economy and a high-quality education system. For this reason, I am grateful Idaho’s industry leaders remain committed to improving Idaho’s education system by working to recognize and reward our talented teachers through the INDEEDS Awards Program,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.

“Our primary mission at the Micron Foundation is to spark a passion for STEM education in youth in the hopes of helping develop next-generation engineers, and we’re thrilled to help recognize and encourage the teachers who do this every day,” said Dee Mooney, executive director of the Micron Foundation.

“The Idaho Technology Council is proud to support the INDEEDS Awards Program to recognize Idaho’s teachers who are working to build the future technology leaders in Idaho and across the country,” said Jay Larsen, President and Founder of the Idaho Technology Council.

“Businesses need competitive employees with STEM skills. We want to recognize and support those teachers and schools that spark students’ interest in STEM pathways,” said Dr. Lorna Finman, President of LCF Enterprises and founder of Discover Technology.

STATE TAKES FIRST STEPS TO IMPLEMENT TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

Today, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna praised the Idaho Legislature for taking the first, bold steps in implementing the recommendations of the Task Force for Improving Education, of which he was a member.

At the beginning of the legislative session, Superintendent Luna proposed a fiscal year 2015 budget aligned with the implementation of the first year of the Task Force recommendations. His budget proposal included funding for leadership awards, discretionary funding, advanced opportunities and classroom technology. The majority of his budget proposal was adopted this year.

“For the upcoming school year, the Legislature has not only increased overall funding for Idaho’s public schools to the highest levels since 2008, but the state also has provided critical investments to begin implementing the Task Force recommendations – reform efforts many of us have been talking about in education for years to make sure every student graduates from high school prepared for college or the workforce,” Superintendent Luna said.

He continued, “Through this budget and complementary pieces of legislation, we will improve the way we compensate Idaho’s teachers, provide more advanced opportunities for high school students, begin to restore discretionary funding to local school districts, strongly emphasize classroom technology, and continue to invest in professional development for Idaho’s teachers. Because of these steps, we will make sure every student graduates from high school prepared for college or the workforce.”

The FY2015 budget is $1.374 billion in general funds for Idaho public schools in fiscal year 2015, a 5.1 percent or $66.2 million increase over fiscal year 2014.

Here are highlights of the FY2015 Public Schools Budget, and how it works to implement the Task Force recommendations:

• Teacher Compensation: The budget includes a 3.8 percent total increase in ongoing funding for teacher compensation, which includes $15.8 million to fund the Leadership Awards portion of the Career Ladder Compensation Model for Idaho’s teachers developed by the Task Force, a 1 percent increase in the money that funds teacher salaries at the local level, and funds to increase minimum teacher salaries to $31,750. Through the Leadership Awards, local school districts will have the ability to award teachers annual bonuses of between $850 and $5,700, in addition to their salaries. See Task Force Recommendation #12: Career ladder Compensation Model.
• Discretionary Funding: The budget includes $35 million to help restore discretionary funding for local school districts and public charter schools. Districts use this funding to pay for utilities, health care and other costs at the district level. See Task Force Recommendation #11: Restoration of Operational Funding.
• Professional Development: The budget includes $12.15 million for continued professional development for Idaho’s teachers. Of this funding, $9.4 million will be distributed to local school districts to use for the implementation of Idaho Core Standards, gifted and talented, or counseling. The remaining $2.7 million will be used at the state level to provide professional development to Idaho’s teachers through Idaho Core Coaches in each region. See Task Force Recommendations #2: Idaho Core Standards and #16: Ongoing Job-embedded Professional Learning.
• Classroom Technology: The budget includes $13.4 million in continued funding for classroom technology. Of this funding, $8 million will be distributed to local school districts to spend on integrating technology in the classroom, $2.25 million will continue to be spent on wireless infrastructure for Idaho’s high schools, $3 million has been set aside for a second year of technology pilot projects in Idaho’s public schools, and $150,000 will be used for the online course portal. See Task Force Recommendation #9: High Speed Bandwidth and Wireless Infrastructure.
• Strategic Plans: The budget includes $326,000 to assist school districts and public charter schools in developing strategic plans. This legislation directs each school district and public charter school to develop a strategic plan that focuses on improving student performance. See Task Force Recommendation #7: Annual Strategic Planning, Assessment, and Continuous Focus on Improvement.
• School Safety and Security: The budget includes $2.2 million in funding to be distributed directly to local school districts to invest in Safe and Drug-Free School Programs at the local level.
• Content and Curriculum: The budget includes $4 million in one-time money that will be distributed to local school districts that they can use to purchase instructional content and curriculum that are in hard copy or digital formats. See Task Force Recommendations #2: Idaho Core Standards and #16: Ongoing Job-embedded Professional Learning.

The budget was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. It now awaits the Governor’s signature. When approved, it will go into effect July 1, 2014 for the 2014-2015 school year.

In addition to the budget, the Legislature also approved key pieces of legislation to advance the Task Force recommendations, including a bill to increase advanced opportunities for Idaho’s high school students (SB 1233), the bill to create the Leadership Awards portion of the Career Ladder (HB 504), and the bill that directs local school districts to create strategic plans focused on student achievement (HB 521).

Celebrate the Importance of Reading This Week

This week, schools in Idaho and across the country are celebrating the importance of reading through Read Across America!

If you haven’t heard of it, contact your local school and find out what they are doing to celebrate reading.

Started by the National Education Association, Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading in recognition. It is always planned for March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, but is typically a week full of activities related to reading.

At schools across Idaho, students are engaged in reading Dr. Seuss books or hearing from guest readers invited to speak with them during the school day.

Superintendent Luna visited two schools this week:

He was at Lowell Elementary School in Boise on Monday, reading with 2nd grade students in Mrs. Schumacher’s class.

On Tuesday night, Superintendent Luna stopped by the book fair at Willow Creek Elementary School in Nampa to read the Cat in the Hat Comes Back to students and parents.

Reading is just as critical as ever. The Task Force for Improving Education has recommended all Idaho students demonstrate mastery of literacy before moving on to significant content learning.

According to the Task Force report, research shows students should be reading on grade level by the time they leave third grade or it could have a negative impact on the rest of their academic career. Students must learn to read before they can read to learn content in other subject areas.

To learn more about how you can help your child improve their reading skills, talk to your child’s teacher or check out the Department’s Parent Guide to Reading.

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA APPLAUDS 5.1% INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Legislature’s budget-setting committee today approved a 5.1 percent increase in funding for Idaho’s K-12 public schools for fiscal year 2015, which would bring state general funds for Idaho’s public schools to higher than fiscal year 2008 levels for the first time since the recession.

“I am proud of the public schools budget this year because it represents a capstone of what we have been working toward as a state since 2007,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “The budget improves the way we compensate Idaho’s teachers, provides more advanced opportunities for high school students, takes critical steps to restore discretionary funding to local school districts, strongly emphasizes classroom technology, and more. With this budget, we are taking the necessary steps toward implementing the Task Force for Improving Education recommendations and making sure every student graduates from high school prepared for college or the workforce.”

The budget approved today will now go to the full House of Representatives and Senate for approval. If passed, it will need the Governor’s signature before it can take effect July 1, 2014 for the 2014-2015 school year.

Here are highlights of the FY2015 Public Schools Budget approved in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee today:

• The budget is $1.374 million in general funds for Idaho public schools in fiscal year 2015, a 5.1 percent or $66.2 million increase over fiscal year 2014.
• Teacher Compensation: The budget includes a 3.8 percent total increase in ongoing funding for teacher compensation, which includes $15.8 million to fund the Leadership Awards portion of the Career Ladder Compensation Model for Idaho’s teachers developed by the Task Force, a 1 percent increase in the money that funds teacher salaries at the local level, and funds to increase minimum teacher salaries to $31,750.
• Discretionary Funding: The budget includes $35 million in discretionary funding for local school districts and public charter schools. Districts use this funding to pay for utilities, health care and other costs at the district level.
• Professional Development: The budget includes $12.15 million for continued professional development for Idaho’s teachers. Of this funding, $9.4 million will be distributed to local school districts to use for the implementation of Idaho Core Standards, gifted and talented, or counseling. The remaining $2.7 million will be used at the state level to provide professional development to Idaho’s teachers through Idaho Core Coaches in each region.
•  Classroom Technology: The budget includes $13.4 million in continued funding for classroom technology. Of this funding, $8 million will be distributed to local school districts to spend on integrating technology in the classroom, $2.25 million will continue to be spent on wireless infrastructure for Idaho’s high schools, $3 million has been set aside for a second year of technology pilot projects in Idaho’s public schools, and $150,000 will be used for the online course portal.
• School Safety and Security: The budget includes $2.2 million in funding to be distributed directly to local school districts to invest in Safe and Drug-Free School Programs at the local level.
• Content and Curriculum: The budget includes $4 million in one-time money that will be distributed to local school districts that they can use to purchase instructional content and curriculum that are in hard copy or digital formats.