CT State Standards and Smarter Balanced Testing Information
A letter from from the Superintendent
Dear Parent/Guardian of Region 16 students:
We aim to ensure that your child—and all Regional School District 16 students—receive an education that prepares them to thrive in a global economy and civic life. That’s why Connecticut raised the bar and issued a new instructional roadmap. This new roadmap, the Connecticut Core Standards, sets learning expectations for what students should learn and be able to do at each grade level so that by the time they graduate from high school, they are ready to succeed in college and the workplace.
With these new learning goals, Connecticut needed new ways to measure student progress. The Connecticut Smarter Balanced Assessments, which are aligned to the Connecticut Core Standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics, were implemented to help teachers and parents see where students are compared to where they need to be. These results can reveal subject areas where a student is excelling and subject areas where a student needs extra help.
The Connecticut Core Standards focus on critical thinking and problem-solving—the real-world skills students need to be successful in college and careers. The Smarter Balanced assessments are administered on computers and are designed to measure these skills through reading comprehension, writing, and math questions that require students to demonstrate that they truly understand the content. Additional supports are available for some students with special needs, as determined by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.
This is certainly a big shift for our students and teachers—but one that holds great promise for our children. By making this transition, we are better preparing our kids to meet the demands of college and the 21st century workforce. Our teachers and administrators are committed to working together to support students with great instruction and resources to meet these new expectations.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Yamin
Superintendent of Schools
Additional Resources for State Assessments: