What are Common Core & SBAC?
Progress Each Year Towards College, Career
What is the Common Core?
Overview
Common Core State Standards (CCSS), referred to as “Common Core” by most, are a set of guidelines for K-12 describing what students should know and be able to do in each subject at the end of each year. These standards were developed with input from teachers, parents and experts.
Resources (English & Spanish)
- 3-minute video explaining the Common Core
- 2-page guides on what your child should know by the end of each grade
What is Smarter Balanced?
Overview
Smarter Balanced is an untimed, computerized, end-of-year test your child will take that assesses what s/he has learned, according to the standards outlined in the Common Core (see above). Unlike the former California State Test, this test is adaptive, meaning the questions adapt to the student’s ability level as s/he is taking the test. Students take the Smarter Balanced assessment every year in 3rd-8th grades and again in 11th grade. Your child’s school will send you an individual report on your child’s performance.
How are WCCUSD and my child’s school doing on the SBAC?
The comparison below shows that our West Contra Costa students are struggling to keep pace. Click here to find out how your child’s school performed on the Smarter Balanced assessment.
Source: California Department of Education, SBAC Scores, Grades 3-8 & 11
Resources
- Practice tests (Tip: Ask your child’s teacher if s/he will be administering this test at school before having your child take the practice test.)
- Detailed 2015 Smarter Balanced Results for WCCUSD
- Search 2015 Smarter Balanced Results by School