Technology Readiness Tool for Smarter Balanced Assessments

Attention: Superintendents, Assessment Coordinators, and District Technology Directors

On March 8, 2012, Michigan's State Department of Education released the following memo.

Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) anticipates transitioning to online assessments developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). While there will be a paper version of the SBAC assessments available for the first three years, it is important that Michigan schools make significant progress towards technology readiness in order to take advantage of this next-generation assessment system.

To assist local districts in preparing for this change, the SBAC has developed a Technology Readiness Assessment tool that will be used across the consortium. This online tool will help local school districts, public school academies, intermediate school districts, and the MDE determine current readiness levels for this new assessment format.

There will be frequent Technology Readiness Assessment windows over the next three years that will allow local districts to use the tool and update information on the technology available in their buildings. The information collected using this tool will enable all stakeholders, including policymakers, to work together to ensure that Michigan schools are prepared for the transition to online assessments.

The first Technology Readiness Assessment collection will take place between

March 20 and June 14, 2012. Information regarding online training resources, as

well as login information for your district, will be provided to technology directors and assessment coordinators in the coming weeks.

Sources of additional information and who to contact

If you have questions regarding the Technology Readiness Assessment tool please

contact Bruce Umpstead, State Readiness Coordinator at: TechReady@michigan.gov.

Questions about the transition from Michigan’s existing assessments to those developed by the SBAC should be sent to BAA@michigan.gov.

For more information on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, please visit www.smarterbalanced.org.

For more information on the national technology readiness effort, please visit

www.Assess4Ed.org.