State Assessments
Smarter Balanced Assessment
Connecticut students throughout the state in grades 3 through 8 participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessments for English language arts and math. The Smarter Balanced Assessment is aligned to the Connecticut Core Standards and is designed to assess student progress toward college and career readiness in mathematics, reading, and writing. Administered online, these assessments will adapt to each student’s ability, giving teachers and parents/guardians information to help students succeed.
The Smarter Balanced Assessment will be administered to students in Grades 3 through 8. Our students will be administered the assessment in the month of April.
The total testing time for most students is approximately 4 hours. Testing sessions will be spread out over the course of several days, allowing teachers to plan for developmentally appropriate testing time frames for students.
As required by Connecticut General Statute 10-14n, all students are required to take a mastery examination in Grades 3 – 8 for mathematics, reading, and writing. The state of Connecticut has replaced the previous state test known as the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) with the Smarter Balanced Assessment.
Key Features of the Smarter Balanced Assessment
Measures critical thinking with questions that ask students to demonstrate their research, writing, and problem-solving skills.
All testing is administered using a secure online assessment system that includes a variety of tools and technology-enhanced test questions that will improve the assessment experience for our students.
Accessibility tools for all students and accommodations – such as text-to-speech, keyword translation glossaries, American Sign Language translation, and Braille – for those who need them.
Assessments are untimed and students can take breaks throughout the testing sessions so that they can do their best.
Click here to learn more about the Smarter Balanced Assessment in the state of Connecticut
CT SAT DAY
The Connecticut State Board of Education adopted the SAT (created by College Board) as the annual state assessment for students in grade 11.
For more information on CT SAT DAY, please visit the following links.
NGSS Assessment
The NGSS Science Assessment will be administered in Grades 5, 8 and 11 annually in the Spring.
The NGSS test serves as the statewide science assessment program required by state and federal legislation. All Grade 5, 8 and 11 students enrolled in a public school must participate in the test.