Understand your Child’s SBAC Testing
Your child’s SBAC testing (Smarter Balanced Assessments) plays a key role in measuring progress for students in grades 3 through 8. These assessments are used by school districts in over a dozen states, including Nevada, to ensure students are meeting academic standards. Nevada adopted SBAC standards to better prepare students for careers or college. Understanding your child’s SBAC testing (Smarter Balanced Assessments) is essential, as these exams play a key role in measuring academic progress for students in grades 3 through 8. Used by school districts in over a dozen states, including Nevada, the Nevada Academic Content Standards in ELA and Mathematics are directly aligned with these assessments. By reviewing your child’s SBAC testing results on the Nevada Report Card, both teachers and parents can gain a valuable tool for pinpointing student success and informing middle school placements.
Who takes the SBAC Summative Assessment?
All students in grades 3 through 8 take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment. What content areas are assessed? Students are assessed in the areas of English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
When does your child’s SBAC testing take place?
SBAC assessments are given during the spring each year. Your student’s school can provide testing dates information.
How is your child’s SBAC testing administered?
SBAC Summative Assessments contain two parts:
Computer adaptive test (CAT) – The CAT adjusts the difficulty of questions throughout the assessment based on the student’s response in order to identify a student’s threshold of knowledge. If a student answers a question correctly, the next question will be more challenging; if a student answers incorrectly, the next question will be less challenging.
Performance Test (PT) – The PT measures student capacity to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios including writing, research and math problem-solving.
What are the approximate timeframes for My Child’s SBAC Testing?
Each SBAC Assessment has an approximate testing time of four hours. If students complete both the English Language Arts/Literacy and the Mathematics Exam in the same testing period the combined testing time would be approximately 7 hours.
What accessibility resources are available for Your Child’s SBAC Testing?
A set of universal tools—such as a digital notepad, scratch paper and accessible calculators—are available to all students. Designated supports—like a translated glossary—are available to students for whom a need has been identified by school personnel familiar with each student’s needs. Accommodations and built-in tools are available for your child’s SBAC testing in accordance with documented needs noted in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan, as well as ESL learners. These accommodations include Braille and closed captioning, plus others according to individual requirements. The Individual Student Assessment Accessibility Profile (ISAAP) tool and training module supports educators in selecting accessibility resources that match student access needs.
How are Your Child’s SBAC Testing scores reported?
Student results are delivered via USPS and consist of two reports:
Scale Scores – represent student’s numerical score based on their assessment performance.
Achievement Levels – assigned category (Levels 1-4) of achievement based on overall performance relative to standard score targets.
- Level 1: Minimal Understanding – achievement standard score targets have not met; substantial improvement needed to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for likely success in future coursework.
- Level 2: Partial Understanding – achievement standard score targets have been met; results indicate further development may be required to demonstrate full knowledge and skills needed for likely success in future coursework.
- Level 3: Proficient – achievement standard score targets have been met; student’s overall results also demonstrate progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills needed for likely success in future coursework.
- Level 4: Advanced – achievement standard score targets exceeded; overall results demonstrate advanced progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills needed for likely success in future coursework.
How to prepare for Your Child’s SBAC Testing?
Consider a foundational prep program such as Excel Academy’s SBAC Workshop, taught by a qualified SBAC/MAP specialist. This program provides targeted guidance, focusing on the Performance Testing module of the SBAC – – typically the section where most students achieve lower scores. Excel Academy’s workshop contains valuable SBAC test-taking tools that emphasize:
- Pacing throughout the long-format testing
- Formulating effective evidence-based free response answers
- Keyboarding skills to support strong thought processes.
- Brainstorming, writing and editing techniques
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Navigating the details of your child’s SBAC testing can feel overwhelming, but remember that these tools are designed to support their academic journey. By utilizing universal tools like digital notepads and accessible calculators, schools ensure every student has the resources needed to succeed during the assessment. Ultimately, the data gathered from your child’s SBAC testing provides a roadmap for future growth, helping both you and their teachers foster a path toward long-term achievement.
