SmarterApp

QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide

2025-11-14T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has released an update to the QTI 3 Best Practices and Implementation Guide. The update removes references to the SAAIF item samples.

QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide

2025-11-14T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has released an update to the QTI 3 Best Practices and Implementation Guide. The update removes references to the SAAIF item samples.

QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide

2025-10-30T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released an update to the QTI 3 Best Practices and Implementation Guide. The update includes information on how to handle Computer Read Aloud modes, when there is no computer read aloud catalog entries.

Scoring Specifications Location

2025-04-11T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated links here on SmarterApp to the current scoring specifications here. The older documents have been replaced with current links.

QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide

2025-01-31T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has released an update to the QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide. The guide and related resources, inlcuding the set of certified items, are found here.

ISAAP Feature Codes

2024-06-28T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released an update to the ISAAP Feature Codes document. Three new Accommodation categories have been added: Print on Demand with Color Contrast, Raised-line Drawings/Tactile Graphics, and Speed-to-Text in Spanish (for Math short-answer items). One new Designated Support has been added: Text-to-speech for responses to short-answer items (ELA and Math). The document is found here.

ISAAP Feature Codes

2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released an update to the ISAAP Feature Codes document. Translated Test Directions in ASL, and Printed Test Directions in English have been added. The document is found here.

QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide

2023-04-26T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released an update to the QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide. The guide and related resources, inlcuding the set of certified items, are found here.

QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide

2023-04-05T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released an update to the QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide. Information on the implementation details regarding stimulus content as an audio slideshow has been added to the guide.

QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide

2022-01-31T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has released a QTI 3.0 Implementation Guide. The guide and related resources, inlcuding the set of certified items, are found here.

QTI 3.0 Certification Set

2021-10-27T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released a QTI 3.0 certification set of items. The content and related resources are found here.

Implementation Readiness Resource List Released

2020-07-30T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released an Implementation Readiness Resource List. The list is now available here.

Administration and Registration Tools (ART) User Guide Update

2020-04-24T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the Administration and Registration Tools (ART) User Guide. The updated version is now available here.

Test Result Transmission Format Update

2020-04-14T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the Test Result Transmission Format specification. The updated version is now available here.

ISAAP Accessibility Feature Codes

2018-05-29T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has added an update to the ISAAP Feature Codes that includes the Burmese glossary and Illustration glossary codes.

Secure Browsers

2018-04-25T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released new versions of the open source secure browser on the following platforms:

macOS
Windows
iOS
ChromeOS
Linux 32-bit
Linux 64-bit

Test Results Data Model

2017-05-09T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted an update to the Test Results Data Model. The update adds the optional Filipino ethnicity field.

Test Result Transmission Format Update

2017-05-09T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the Test Result Transmission Format specification. The updated version is now available here.

Test Result Transmission Format Update

2017-04-13T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the Test Result Transmission Format specification. The updated version is now available here.

Test Result Transmission Format Update

2017-03-07T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the Test Result Transmission Format specification. The updated version is now available here.

SmarterApp Assessment Item Format Update

2017-02-16T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the SmarterApp Assessment item format specification. The updated version is now available here.

Item Packaging Specification

2017-02-16T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the item packaging specification. The updated version is now available here.

Scoring Specification Updates

2016-11-18T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the scoring specifications. The updated version is now available here.

Accessibility Configuration File Specification

2016-11-10T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has released a draft copy of the Accessibility Configuration File Specification.

Item Types and Embedded Accessibility Features

2016-11-03T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released the Smarter Balanced Item Types and Accessibility Features overview. This summary provides detailed descriptions and screen shots of every item interaction type and embedded accessibility feature used in Smarter Balanced assessments.

UEB Braille Transition Technical Framework

2016-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted Technical Framework: UEB Braille Transition. This specification indicates how different braille codings will be supported during the transition from EBAE braille to UEB braille.

Concurrently, Smarter Balanced has updated the ISAAP Accessibility Feature Codes to make matching updates to the ISAAP braille codes.

Implementation Readiness Package (IRP) download link update

2016-09-23T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the download link to the latest Implementation Readiness Package (IRP). The download link can be found on the IRP Test Package page.

Performance Report for the May 2016 Release of the Open Source Test Delivery System

2016-09-02T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced is pleased to release a report on the performance of the May 2016 release of the open source Test Delivery System (TDS). This release increases capacity from 20,000 to 50,000 concurrent students, is faster and more responsive, and deployment and configuration have been dramatically improved.

Evaluation Reports for the 2015 Release of the Open Source Test Delivery System

2016-09-01T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has released three reports evaluating the open source Test Delivery System (TDS) released by Smarter Balanced in 2015 as compared with the requirements of the RFP. Fairway Technologies produced these reports under a competitive bid contract with Smarter Balanced.

The Performance Evaluation Report indicates the capacity and performance of the software.
The Features Evaluation Report evaluates the delivery of features in the released software as compared with the RFP requirements.
The Deployment Evaluation Report evaluates how easy it is to deploy and configure the software.

The development of the 2016 release of the TDS software has been informed by these evaluations and it includes substantial improvements in all three areas.

ISAAP Accessibility Feature Codes

2016-08-16T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has added a minor update to the ISAAP Feature Codes by specifying that the Item Tools Menu should default to the ON code (TDS_ITM1).

Test Results Reporting Requirements Supplement

2016-08-04T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has provided a supplement to the test results reporting requirements. The supplemental document is available here.

Scoring Specification Updates

2016-08-02T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the scoring specifications. The updated version is now available here. Updates, including the options available for the use of HOSS/LOSS, are noted in the change log at the end of the document.

DataWarehouse Updates

2016-08-01T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated specs and documentation regarding the Reporting Data Warehouse:

Data Warehouse Data Specification - Student Assessments
Data Warehouse Data Specification - Score Batching
Data Warehouse - Data Model
Data Warehouse - Runbook

TRT Updates

2016-07-21T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the Test Results Transmission (TRT) format specification document by changing certain fields from required to optional consistent with their designation in the Data Dictionary and Logical Data Model.

ISAAP Feature Codes Added

2016-07-13T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has added new feature codes to the ISAAP Accessibility Feature Codes document. The new codes are:

non-embedded designated support for simplified test directions
non-embedded accommodation for 100s number table

See the Revision History in the document for details.

ISAAP Feature Codes Specification Updated

2016-07-08T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the ISAAP Accessibility Feature Codes with a correction to the legacy braille codes. See the Revision History in the document for details.

Item Types and Accessibility Features Updated

2016-06-30T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the Item Types and Accessibility Features summary to include details about all three variants of Grid Item.

Source code on GitHub

2016-06-29T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has completed the migration of all source code repositories from BitBucket to GitHub. Visit the Source Code page for more details and important developer information.

Test Results Data Model

2016-06-08T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted an update to the Test Results Data Model. The update corrects the acceptable values for EconomicDisadvantageStatus. See the change log at the beginning of the document for details.

Test Package Format Specifications

2016-06-07T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced and Fairway Technologies are pleased to release specifications to the following test package formats:

Test Delivery System enhancements, Documentation and Hosting Requirements

2016-06-06T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced and Fairway Technologies are pleased to release updates to the SmaterApp test delivery software that incorporates the final set of performance improvements. Along with the code updates is documentation to assist in deploying the various components that comprise the shared services and test delivery system and revised hosting requirements information.

Source Code Repository

Deployment Checklist

Hosting Requirements

Hosting Cost Calculator

Updated repositories

Student Application

Performance improvements
Secure Browser Session Launch Protocol
Illustration Glossary accessibility feature

Test Delivery System Database Access

Performance improvements
Test Results Transmission updates

Test Delivery System / Proctor

Performance improvements
TDS Routing capability using the new Test Delivery System Router component

Item Renderer

Secure Browser Session Launch Protocol
Illustration Glossary accessibility feature
Test Results Transmission updates

Administration and Registration Tools

User search performance improvements
Illustration Glossary accessibility feature

Test Integration System

Test Results Transmission updates
Configuration and documentation in the README file

New component

Test Delivery System Router

Test Results Data Model

2016-05-26T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted an update to the Test Results Data Model. The update corrects the Claim2 and Claim3 score and SEM references for AIR data elements, specifically for ELA scores.

Item Metadata Specification

2016-05-26T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted an update to the Item Metadata Specification. The update adds a new element <IrtStatDomain> to the IrtDimension hierarchy.

Test Authoring User Guide

2016-05-18T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted the Test Authoring User Guide in the User Guides and Manuals section of SmarterApp.

ARI Prototype

2016-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted the Accessible Rendered Item (ARI) Prototype including source code, technical specification, and software requirements. See the ARI Page and the ARI Prototype Page for details.

Test Results Data Dictionary, ISAAP Codes, Reporting User Guide

2016-04-01T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted several new and updated documents in the last few days.

The Test Results Data Dictionary and Logical Data Model now includes footnote references to the business rules for determining validity and completeness.
The ISAAP Accessibility Feature Codes now include codes for UEB Braille in anticipation of future support in the Test Delivery System.
We have a draft summary of Smarter Balanced Item Types and Embedded Accessibility Features.
The Implementation Readiness Package Cross Reference lists all items included in the IRP test packages including subject, type, and variation metadata; and cross-references them to where the same items appear in the Practice and Training Tests.
The Reporting User Guide has been updated to include all of the new features of the open source reporting system deployed in the last year.

Test Results - Data Dictionary and Data Model Update

2016-02-09T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has updated the Test Results - Data Dictionary and Logical Data Model specification to match the requirements for reporting summative test data in for the Spring 2016 summative test administration.

Test Delivery System Interim Performance Release

2016-01-27T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced and Fairway Technologies are pleased to release an update to the SmarterApp test delivery software that incorporates an initial set of performance improvements. The source code will be updated this week. The Accompanying Performance Report is immediately available and indicates that this release achieves a 75% improvement in concurrent student capacity.

Reporting-Data Warehouse Software Update

2016-01-20T00:00:00-05:00

The source code to the Reporting and Data Warehouse system was updated on January 14, 2016. This update includes the following new features:

Public Reporting Sites
AdministrationCondition Field (Valid, Invalid, Standardized, and NonStandardized)
Completeness Field (Complete, Partial)

Smarter Balanced presently has two open technology RFPs: Reporting-Data Warehouse and Test Delivery System. The proposal due date for both of these RFPs has been extended to February 8, 2016. Interested parties should browse to the University of California Public Bid Site and search for “Smarter Balanced”.

Secure Browsers for Spring 2016

2016-01-05T00:00:00-05:00

The secure browsers for testing in Spring 2016 are available for download from the Smarter Balanced FTP site. These browsers correspond to the open source test delivery system. Smarter Balanced members should consult their service provider regarding the appropriate secure browser.

Reporting and Data Warehouse code Publicly Visible

2016-01-05T00:00:00-05:00

In partnership with Amplify, Smarter Balanced is pleased to release source code to the Reporting and Data Warehouse system.

Source code is made publicly available for examination only. Only Smarter Balanced, its members, and contractors thereof are licensed to deploy the code operationally. An open source license is expected in August 2016. Please see the associated license.md for details.

RFP for enhancements to the Smarter Balanced Open Source Reporting and Data Warehouse System

2015-12-23T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced - UCLA has posted an RFP for Enhancements to the Open Source Reporting and Data Warehouse. Similar to the Test Delivery System RFP, our goal is to create a compelling open source reporting solution for Smarter Balanced members that is also applicable to many other assessments. The RFP includes data import flexibility, customization, and applicability to additional assessments and subjects beyond ELA and Mathematics.

Interested parties should browse to the University of California Public Bid Site and search for “Smarter Balanced Reporting”.

Don’t miss the RFP for the Test Delivery System that was posted yesterday. And, Happy Holidays to you and yours!

RFP for enhancements to the Smarter Balanced Open Source Test Delivery System

2015-12-22T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced - UCLA has posted an RFP for Enhancements to the Open Source Test Delivery System. This update is targeted at the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years. The goal is to create a compelling open source testing solution for Smarter Balanced members that is also applicable to many other assessments. The RFP includes much greater scalability, new accessibility features, and updates to the assessment item format. Interested parties should browse to the University of California Public Bid Site and search for “Smarter Balanced”.

Stay tuned, more RFP news will be posted soon!

Digital Library Sample Module

2015-12-10T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has posted a Sample Instructional Module to accompany the Instructions for Building Instructional Modules for the Digital Library

Secure Browsers RFP Release

2015-11-16T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has released an open RFP for Secure Browsers for the 2016-2017 school year. Click here to access the University of California Public Bid Site and search for “Secure Browser” or “Smarter Balanced”. The opportunity number is “RFP-2015-04-MMAC0-0288”. Note that the description of the RFP currently indicates the “2015-2016 school year”. That will be corrected shortly. Please register with the site in order to be notified about answers to questions or any amendments to the RFP.

Administration and Registration Tools Release 72

2015-11-12T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced and the American Institutes for Research have released a software update to the Administration and Registration tools. This Release 72 includes the ability to customize accessibility feature availability by subject and grade. It also allows for multiple non-embedded designated supports. The included configuration file includes recommended feature settings for Smarter Balanced testing in 2015-2016.

Source code is on the GitHub repository here.

Test Results Data and Test Packages

2015-10-29T00:00:00-04:00

Today we have made the following updates on SmarterApp.

The Guidelines for iPad use in Testing have been updated for the 2015-2016 school year. Smarter Balanced encourages members and their service providers to coordinate messaging to the schools and districts they serve.
ISAAP Accessibility Feature Codes is a new specification defining the accessibility feature codes and describing how they are transmitted between systems. This information was previously embedded in several specifications. We hope that consolidating it here will be more convenient.
The Test Results Data Dictionary and Logical Data Model have been updated to include additional data elements and a more exact cross reference to serialization format specifications.

Test Results Data and Test Packages

2015-10-02T00:00:00-04:00

Today we have posted three new and updated documents on SmarterApp.

Assessment Package Types in the Smarter Balanced Distributions has updated descriptions of the five assessment package types. This is posted in conjunction with the October 1st release of Smarter Balanced Summative Test Packages for 2015-2016.
De-Identification of Student IDs is a Non-Technical memo explaining to Smarter Balanced Member Agencies what to expect when their service providers use Keyed Cryptographic Hashing to produce Alterate Student IDs to preserve student privacy.
Student ID Cryptographic Hash Algorithm has been augmented to include an algorithm description in addition to the existing sample code.

Procurement News and Sample Code

2015-09-10T00:00:00-04:00

Over the next couple of months, Smarter Balanced will releasing RFPs for several enhancements to the technology platform. We have obtained permission to announce the opening of RFPs on this news feed. The official announcements will be on the UCLA Purchasing website and we will link to those announcements. If you received this announcement by email or RSS then you will get procurement news the same way. Otherwise, we encourage you to subscribe using the formlet in the upper-right of the SmarterApp.org home page.

Smarter Balanced has posted sample code for securely hashing student IDs into AlternateSSIDs. This approach is suitable for meeting Smarter Balanced requirements while preserving student privacy.

Test Results Data Model

2015-08-26T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted one new specification and two sets of sample data on SmarterApp.org:

Test Results - Data Dictionary and Logical Data Model is a new specification that describes SmarterApp test results at a logical data model layer. It’s helpful for cross referencing with state data models and with data transmission formats. Includes cross references to SmarterApp data formats and Common Education Data Standards.
The Implementation Readiness Test Packages are a set of test packages to support development and testing of test delivery systems. The packages include samples of all SmarterApp item types including machine scoring rubrics for all machine-scored items. The samples include test packages for computer-adaptive tests and fixed-form performance tasks.
The Sample Test Results in TRT Format are a set of simulated student test results in Test Results Transmission Format. They are suitable for development and testing of data conversion, import, analytics, and reporting systems.

Item Response Format Specification

2015-06-17T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced has posted four new specifications and one update on SmarterApp.org:

New: Test Condition codes is a new specification that describes the validity and completeness test condition codes and rules for deriving their values.
Updated: The Test Results Transmission Format includes the new test condition codes and details for which fields should be present when transmitting de-identified student data.
New: The Data Dictionary for High School Test Results describes the high school test results data to be sent to colleges and universities for placement purposes. A CSV file containing simulated student data is included.
New: The Secure Browser Session Launch Protocol specifies a new protocol for starting secure browser sessions without requiring the server URL to be hard-coded into the browser. Smarter Balanced seeks feedback on this draft specification.
New: The Diagnostic API is a proposed API specification for system diagnostics on web applications. Smarter Balanced seeks feedback on this draft specification.

Item Response Format Specification

2015-04-23T00:00:00-04:00

The SmarterApp Item Response Format Specification has been released on SmarterApp.org. Also, posted is an update to the Source Code and Content License Memo.

Issues Management - Getting Started

2015-04-15T00:00:00-04:00

The Getting Started guide for SmarterApp Issues Management has been posted in the Deployment section of SmarterApp.org. This offers guidance on how to report bugs and enhancement requests regarding SmarterApp software.

User Guides and Manuals

2015-03-30T00:00:00-04:00

A new Manuals and User Guides section has been added to SmarterApp.org to make it easier to find the user guides that correspond to SmarterApp software applications. Seven user guides that were previously posted in the Specifications section have been moved into the new Manuals section.

The Test Administrator User Guide Template was added to the Manuals section. Most of the state assessment service providers have already customized this user guide to their particular states’ needs and distributed it. The template is posted as a generic reference and as a basis for future customization.

Training Materials, Braille Fixed Form, and Updated Scoring Specifications

2015-03-17T00:00:00-04:00

Smarter Balanced posted three documents associated with the 2015 test administration:

iPad Guidelines

2015-03-05T00:00:00-05:00

Smarter Balanced has posted Guidelines for the Configuration of iPads During Smarter Balanced Testing. These are the same guidelines that were sent out to Smarter Balanced States and Service Providers on 26 February 2015.

Reporting Guides

2015-02-28T00:00:00-05:00

Newly added to SmarterApp are the User Guide for the Reporting System and an update to the Reporting and Data Warehouse Roles.

Online Dictionary

2015-02-06T00:00:00-05:00

Newly added to SmarterApp are Guidelines for access to the Merriam-Webster online dictionaries licensed for use in Smarter Balanced assessments.

Reporting Roles and More

2015-01-28T00:00:00-05:00

A new specification on SmarterApp describes the Security Roles for Data Warehouse and Reporting. The Test Results Transmission Format includes an updated XSD schema and sample test results. The new Test Score Batcher API specification describes the API for submitting test results to the data warehouse. And a number of other Data Warehouse Specifications have been updated.

Three New Docs, One New Application, and Four Updates

2015-01-17T00:00:00-05:00

Today Smarter Balanced has posted three new documents, added source code for a new application, and updated four specifications on SmarterApp.org:

The Assessment Package Types glossary will offer some clarity as the Test Packages are released later this month.
The Embedded Field Test Plan describes Smarter Balanced plans for field test items to be embedded in the Spring 2015 summative CAT tests. These items will be distributed separately from the regular Test Content Packages.
Interpreting Smarter Balanced Standard IDs explains how to interpret Standard IDs embedded in item metadata and how to extract claim and target information.
Source code to the Item Authoring and Item Pool application has been posted and made available to the community.
The Test Results Transmission Format specification has been updated with an improved XSD schema and a second sample result. Both the schema and the sample result are posted as separate files in their native formats.
The Data Warehouse Score Batching Specification has been updated.
The Digital Library Technical Documentation and Performance Test Runbook have been updated.

Item Layouts Guide

2015-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

The Item Layouts Guide has been posted in specifications.

Test Integration Source and User Guides

2015-01-02T00:00:00-05:00

The source code to the Test Integration System has been released on GitHub and a link has been posted on the SmarterApp Source Code Page.

User Guides to four Shared Services components have been posted:

Implementation Readiness Package and Scoring Specs

2014-12-23T00:00:00-05:00

A Preliminary Edition of the Implementation Readiness Package has been posted including data and standards required to validate a Smarter Balanced test delivery platform.

The Test Scoring Specification describe the formulas to be used to calculate an overall scale score for a test from the individual item scores.

Dictionary And Items

2014-12-23T00:00:00-05:00

Two new documents and one update have been posted on SmarterApp.

The Dictionary API includes links to the API and guidelines on dictionary use as an Accessibility Feature.

The Questions and Answers includes answers to 13 new questions addressed in the December deployment meeting.

Item counts for the 2014/2015 interim assessments have been posted.

Sample Item Responses

2014-12-20T00:00:00-05:00

The Smarter Balanced Practice and Training Tests have been updated to include item scoring rubrics.

For those that have access to the Secure FTP site, the Interim Comprehensive Tests have also been updated.

Sample Item Responses

2014-12-19T00:00:00-05:00

A set of Sample Item Responses have been posted to prepare for hand scoring of items.

New Deployment Section, Cut Scores, and More

2014-12-17T00:00:00-05:00

The SmarterApp site has been augmented with a new Deployment section for documents associated with deployment of the tools for the Smarter Balanced assessments. Seven existing documents including the Questions and Answers from the monthly implementation calls have been moved to the new section.

The Smarter Balanced Cut Scores, have been posted in the Deployment section. These are the scale score values that distinguish between the four achievement levels in each tested grade.

The Implementation Readiness Package has been updated to reflect important design decisions. In particular, the work is divided into multiple phases and the tools and tests in the package are designed to work well with all Smarter Balanced deployments whether or not they are based on the open source applications.

Finally, the Test Results Transmission Format specification was updated with a sample output that better reflects the reporting of accommodations.

Feed Restored

2014-12-11T00:00:00-05:00

There was been a problem with the RSS Feed and the corresponding email subscription that prevented the last SmarterApp update, from December 6th, from being distributed. The problem has been fixed. Please check out SmarterApp.org for the latest updates.

Four Specifications and Updated Q&A

2014-12-06T00:00:00-05:00

Three new specifications have been posted and one has been updated:

new Core Standards API
new Item Scoring Custom Operators
new Digital Library Instructional Module Technical Documentation
updated Test Results Transmission Format

Also, the Implementation Questions and Answers have been updated based on information presented in the November 25 implementation meeting.

Item Packaging and Item Metadata

2014-11-25T00:00:00-05:00

Three updates today! The Assessment Item Packaging specification has been posted. The Item Metadata specification has been updated and is now in Acceptance Candidate status. And the The Practice and Training Tests have been moved to an public FTP server to facilitate downloading without the use of an FTP client.

Complete Practice and Training Tests

2014-11-17T00:00:00-05:00

The The Complete Practice and Training Tests have been posted. These include Practice Tests for grades 3-8 and High School plus Training Tests in three grade bands.

ART Upload Formats and Item Metadata Draft

2014-10-27T00:00:00-04:00

The The ART File Upload Format Specification has been upgraded to “Accepted” status. The review process resulted in no material changes from the previous draft.

The The SmarterApp Assessment Item Metadata Specification has been posted with draft status.

Hand Scoring Rules and ART User Guide

2014-10-07T00:00:00-04:00

The Smarter Balanced Hand Scoring Rules are now available to guide states and the vendors that will serve them.

The Administration and Registration Tools (ART) User Guide has also been posted.

Source Code Release

2014-10-01T00:00:00-04:00

After two years, many developers, and countless hours of design and development we’re excited to announce the first major source code release. On the SmarterApp Source Page we list 25 components of the test delivery system. Each includes a link to the associated code repositories. Other components will be released in the next three months. Many thanks to all who have contributed to the architecture specifications and development of this code.

25 New Questions Answered

2014-09-30T00:00:00-04:00

The Questions and Answers Regarding Smarter Balanced Assessments have been updated with 25 more questions and answers that have been recently submitted by states and assessment vendors.

Also, the Technical Systems Documentation for the Digital Library have been posted. Smarter Balanced will continue to host the digital library on behalf of member states so the primary purpose of this posting is for other organizations who wish to launch their own digital library.

Data Warehouse Docs and Practice Test Packages

2014-09-25T00:00:00-04:00

On Friday, September 25 we posted nine new documents associated with the Data Warehouse and Reporting system. These include data format specifications, a deployment guide, system architecture, and data model.

Also posted is the Practice Test Package which includes test definitions for the four High School Practice Tests and a content package including all items in those four tests.

Test Results Format

2014-09-23T00:00:00-04:00

The Smarter Balanced Test Results Transmission Format specification has been updated and accepted. It contains everything about a student’s test event including questions presented, student responses, item scores, test scores, and accessibility features used.

Smarter Balanced Implementation Readiness Package

2014-09-16T00:00:00-04:00

A new document explaining the Smarter Balanced Assessment Delivery Implementation Readiness Package has been posted.

SmarterApp Search Bar and Scoring Rubrics

2014-09-11T00:00:00-04:00

Due to the accumulation of documents on SmarterApp.org we have added a search bar. It simply leverages Google site: search but it’s an effective solution. You’ll find the search bar at the top of each page.

A new memo explaining the Smarter Balanced format for scoring rubrics has been posted.

Assessment System Architecture Updated

2014-09-03T00:00:00-04:00

The final draft of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Item Format has been posted on SmarterApp.org. This release contains complete information about all Smarter Balanced assessment item types. Following editorial and technical review the document will be released as an approved specification.

Assessment System Architecture Updated

2014-08-08T00:00:00-04:00

Three new documents have been posted on SmarterApp.org.

The architecture team has updated the Smarter Balanced System Architecture and Technology Report. The original version was released in March of 2012 and has guided the development of the assessment delivery system. This version includes updates that reflect design decisions made during the development over the last two years. We thank Mike Powell and Measured Progress for coordinating the architecture and preparing and updating the architecture documents. (Final)
The Test Results Specification describes the complete set of student test results in the form that will be transmitted from test delivery systems into the data warehouse. (Draft)
Administration and Registration Tool - File Upload Formats describes the bulk file upload formats that will be used for provisioning user accounts and registering students. (Draft)

Technology Implementation, Secure Browser, and Open Source

2014-07-21T00:00:00-04:00

Three important new documents have been posted on SmarterApp.org:

Smarter Balanced Technology Implementation Readiness is an update to the previous “Applications and Technology Certification” brief. This version offers more clarity about the “Implementation Readiness” program and includes the data flow diagrams from the CIO conference with explanations on assessment data flow options for states.
Memo regarding Open Source Test Administration A memo from Smarter Balanced leadership emphasizing the consortium’s continuing commitment to the success of the open assessment delivery platform.
Secure Browser Requirements and Specifications offers the information needed to develop secure browsers for high stakes testing. Third parties can follow these specifications to develop support for emerging devices.

TRT Source Code and Assessment Item Format Update

2014-06-07T00:00:00-04:00

We are excited to announce the first source code component to be posted on SmarterApp.org. The Technology Readiness Tool (TRT) is a project commissioned in 2012 by Smarter Balanced and PARCC and developed by Pearson. Details are on the SmarterApp Source Code Page.

In other news, the SmarterApp Assessment Item Format preview has been updated and is nearing completion.

Assessment Item Format Updated

2014-05-20T00:00:00-04:00

Two important new documents have been posted on the SmarterApp Specifications page and the experimental “SmarterApp Lab” section has been added.

A preview specification for Adaptive Algorithm describes the algorithm for selecting assessment items in the Computer Adaptive Test.
The Training Test Item Package Cross Reference cross-references all of the items in the Smarter Balanced Training Test with the encoded versions of those items in the Preview Assessment Item Package. Notably, the training test includes examples of all assessment item types.
In the new SmarterApp Lab section we share source code for an experiment in pre-rendering assessment items to simplify assessment delivery and facilitate experimental interaction types.

Assessment Item Format Updated

2014-04-22T00:00:00-04:00

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Item Format has been updated. It is still preview status but includes important new information.

Two New Documents Posted on SmarterApp.org

2014-04-11T00:00:00-04:00

Two important new documents have been posted on the SmarterApp.org Specifications page:

“Smarter Balanced Applications Deployment and Technology Certification Overview” describes the components of the Smarter Balanced assessment platform, with particular attention to the components for which states are responsible.
“Questions and Answers Regarding Smarter Balanced Assessments” is a collection of more than 80 questions submitted by states and contractors, with detailed responses from Smarter Balanced to these questions.

Smarter Balanced Profile of IMS APIP Task Force

2014-04-07T00:00:00-04:00

IMS Global has formed a task force to develop a Smarter Balanced profile for IMS APIP. The task force met for the first time on April 3 and will meet regularly until the profile is complete. This is an important step in the Smarter Balanced commitment to make all assessment items available in the IMS APIP format.

Specification Standards and Content Licenses

2014-03-28T00:00:00-04:00

Three new documents have been posted on the SmarterApp Specifications page:

Smarter Balanced Data Format Specification Standards: Guidelines for the writing of specifications and standards for approval.
AIR Open License: The license which will apply to code developed for Smarter Balanced by the American Institutes for Research.
A memo describing the other code and content licenses to be used by Smarter Balanced.

SmarterApp is on GitHub

2014-03-22T00:00:00-04:00

SmarterApp will be using GitHub as the source code repository for all applications. As a starting point, the source to SmarterApp.org website itself has been moved to GitHub Pages using Jekyll. Take a look at the SmarterApp repository there. You can even help build enhancements to the site.

Also, you can now subscribe to SmarterApp news by Feed or Email.

Hosting Requirements

2014-03-10T00:00:00-04:00

Hosting requirements and cost calculator have been added to the Specifications page.

SmarterApp Launch

2014-03-05T00:00:00-05:00

SmarterApp.org launched. Preview editions of the SmarterApp Assessment Item Format Specification and sample encoded items from the Smarter Balanced Training Test are now available on the Specifications page.