The Smarter Balanced Common Core Mathematics Tests Are Fatally Flawed and Should Not Be Used
An In-Depth Critique by Steven Rasmussen, SR Education Associates, March 2015
In the spring of 2015, tests developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium were administered to well over 10 million students in 17 states to determine their proficiency on the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). In our analysis of the mathematics test questions posted online by Smarter Balanced we revealed that, in question after question, the tests:
- Violated the standards they are supposed to assess;
- Could not be adequately answered by students with the technology they are required to use;
- Used confusing and hard-to-use interfaces; or
- Were graded in such a way that incorrect answers are identified as correct and correct answers as incorrect.
We concluded that no tests that so flawed should be given to anyone. Certainly, with stakes so high for students and their teachers, these Smarter Balanced tests should not be administered. The boycotts of these tests by parents and some school districts are justified. We urged responsible government bodies to withdraw the tests from use before they did damage.
In 2017 these tests will be given again–just as they were in 2016. The tests have not changed. What we reported in 2015 is equally applicable to the 2017 and 2016 tests. Read the full report…
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