Smarter Balance has released initial Achievement Level Descriptors (ALD)

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) has released draft initial achievement level descriptors (ALDs) for feedback and review through January 15, 2013. Developed by K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, and content experts, the initial ALDs describe levels of student performance in English language arts/literacy and mathematics on the Smarter Balanced assessments.
The Smarter Balanced system of ALDs is based upon four levels of achievement that describe whether students have demonstrated 

• “deep command,” 
• “sufficient command,” 
• “partial command,” or
• “minimal command” 

of knowledge, skills, and processes across the two assessed content areas of English language arts/literacy and mathematics. 
Governing States are expected to adopt the initial ALDs in March 2013. A full description of the ALDs, the college content-readiness definition and policy framework, and an online survey for providing feedback are now available.

Why should I check out the ALDs?

• Teachers: the ALDs provide descriptions of the levels of thinking and complexity that students need to have to be successful on the upcoming Smarter Balanced Assessments. These ALDs can help you to make the instructional shifts required by the Common Core
• Administrators: since the ALDs provide descriptions of the levels of thinking and complexity that students need to have to be successful on the upcoming Smarter Balanced Assessments, they can help you define what to look for in good mathematics instruction in your classrooms.