A Complete Guide for Families: Navigating the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)

As we approach testing season, many families have questions about the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA). Whether you are wondering how to support your child or how to access their scores, this guide covers the essentials of the Hawaii Statewide Assessment Program.

What is the SBA?

The SBA is an assessment designed to measure how well schools are meeting students' academic needs. It assesses students in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics.

• Who takes it? Students in grades 3–8 and grade 11 in HIDOE public and public charter schools.
• What is the goal? To ensure all learners are supported and to provide a chance for students to demonstrate their learning.

Why is the SBA Important?

While testing can sometimes feel stressful, the SBA serves several positive purposes for your child and the community:

• Highlighting Strengths: Tests highlight what students are doing well.
• Future Planning: Scores are a good way to track progress toward a child's personal dreams for a career or education after high school.
• Targeted Support: The results help teachers and families discover challenging areas so they can better support student success.
• School Resources: Test data helps community leaders provide more targeted resources to schools.

How to Prepare Your Child

Preparation goes beyond studying. You can support your child physically, emotionally, and mentally to help them feel their best on test day.

1. Physical Support

• Rest: Help your child get plenty of rest in the days leading up to the test.
• Nutrition: Encourage them to eat foods that help them feel focused and energized.
• Resources: Make use of school or community meal programs if helpful.

2. Emotional Support

• Talk about it: Discuss what to expect during the test and ask them how they are feeling.
• Stay Positive: Encourage a positive approach by exploring the purpose of the SBA with your child.
• Ask Questions: Encourage your child to ask any questions they have about the SBA.

3. Mental Support

• Reduce Anxiety: Practice deep breathing and grounding exercises to encourage self-regulation.
• Perspective: Remind your child that test results only capture one moment in time—they do not predict a child's future.

Accessibility and Supports

The SBA is designed to be accessible. "Accessibility supports" (or features) are available in three levels to ensure every student can participate fairly:

1. Universal Tools: These tools are available to all students.
2. Designated Supports: Available to any student as decided by a support team (teachers, parents, and students). These usually support students who already use these tools regularly in class.
3. Accommodations: These are specifically for students with needs documented in an IEP and/or 504 Plan and must be verified in advance.

Understanding Your Child's Results

After the testing period, you will have access to reports that provide a snapshot of what your student knows and can do at the end of the school year.

• Where to find results: Assessment reports are available through the online Family Portal.
• How to log in: Your school will provide directions and a code to access the portal before the end of the first semester.
• When are results available? Preliminary results are available after testing (upon request), and official results are available in August.

Next Steps After Receiving Results

Once you have the results, use them to start a conversation with your child's teachers:

• Ask how the data adds to your child's "learning story".
• Discuss what can be done over the summer to continue supporting them.
• Make a plan to check in regularly on your student's progress.

Need more resources? You can explore an informational toolkit, practice sample test questions as a family, or browse parent information booklets in your preferred language.