Common Core and the SBAC Test: an update

From; Senator Steven Thayn


I recently attended a meeting of Canyon County legislators and school
superintendents and others. Several issues were discussed of interest to many of my readers was the discussion on Common Core and the accompanying SBAC test.

Almost everyone in the room was supportive of the Common Core
standards. However,
concerns were expressed with the SBAC test. The concerns were so great that they suggested that the SBAC be delayed. The concerns included:

1. The length of the test. According to the state department of
education, the test will take 3-5 graders up to 7 hours. This creates a real problem. Some elementary schools will need to take up to 55 days to complete the test because of lack of resources. Taking this much time is very disruptive to instructional time.

2. The SBAC test, this year,"teachers will receive little valuable feedback” from giving the test.

3. The SBAC test seems to be more for benefit of statisticians than for the benefit of students and teachers.

4. California is limiting the test to 3.5 hours per student.

The superintendents of Vallivue, Nampa, Mountain Home, Middleton, Kuna, Emmett, Caldwell, Bishop Kelly, and Boise have written a paper expressing these concerns and have offered some alternatives.

A. Postpone administration of the SBAC…

B. In the interim, adopt the NWEA MAP test in grades 3-8 and the SAT in high school

I believe the superintendents have raised valid concerns. The legislature supported, through rule adoption, the Common Core standards. The
legislature did not adopt the SBAC test. It is time to push pause on the SBAC and seriously consider the recommendations of the superintendents in the field.
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