Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments

The Smarter Balanced Assessment System has three components: the Summative Assessments, designed to measure progress; Interim Assessments, designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year; and the Tools for Teachers website, designed to support classroom-based formative assessment processes.

The Summative Assessments are comprehensive end of year assessments of grade-level learning that measure progress toward college and career readiness. Each test - Smarter English language arts/literacy (ELA) and Smarter Mathematics - is comprised of two parts: (1) a computer adaptive test and (2) a performance task.

The Smarter Assessments are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for ELA and math. The tests capitalize on the strengths of computer adaptive testing—efficient and precise measurement across the full range of achievement and timely turnaround of results.

Summative Resources

• Office of Assessment

  Provides information and resources about the Delaware System of Student Assessment (DeSSA). Assessment is an integral part of the instructional cycle and fulfills several purposes for educators, students, parents, policy makers, and community members. Assessments administered at the state, district/charter, and school levels combine to form a system of assessments with the goal of supporting student growth.

• DeSSA Portal

  Use this site to access ELA and Math applications, Reporting platform, Practice test, and manuals for Test Administrators.

• Smarter Balanced Consortium

  Provides more information on the Smarter summative assessments in ELA and math.

Related Resources

• Smarter Balanced Test Blueprints

  Summative test blueprints that reflect refinements and revisions after the analysis of the Pilot and Field Tests. Describe the content of the ELA/Literacy and Mathematics Summative Assessments in grades 3‒8, and how that content will be assessed to reflect the depth and breadth of the performance expectations for the CCSS. Provide information about the number of items, score points, and depth of knowledge for items associated with each assessment target. Also continue to guide the development of items and performance tasks, score reporting, and ongoing research.

For more information on connecting assessments to instruction, contact Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development at 302-735-4180.

For technical inquiries regarding the Smarter assessment system, contact the Office of Assessment at 302-857-3391.