Using Interim Results to Inform Next Steps for Instruction

Interim assessment results can provide information about:

  • student knowledge, by individual or group, after completing a unit of study
  • student or group response patterns on each item
  • students who have a strong grasp of the material and need enrichment activities to support expansion of their skills
  • how to group students by knowledge/skill level for differentiated instruction
  • areas to emphasize during classroom instruction

To further help educators use results to inform instruction, the Smarter Reporting System links directly to the Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers.

Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers

Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers is an online collection of instructional and professional learning resources created by educators for educators. All resources are aligned to the CCSS, Smarter Balanced assessment targets, and one or more formative assessment attributes. The resources are designed to help educators implement the formative assessment process to improve teaching and learning. The resources can support instruction by:

  • providing guidance on differentiated instruction for diverse learners;
  • increasing educator’s assessment literacy;
  • engaging students in their own learning;
  • designing professional development opportunities; and
  • providing materials for Professional Learning Communities.

Tools for Teachers can be accessed at https://smartertoolsforteachers.org/.

Tools for Teachers Interim Connections Playlists (ICPs)

Created by expert educators in collaboration with Smarter Balanced, Tools for Teachers Interim Connections Playlists (ICPs) link student interim reports to instructional resources in Tools for Teachers. ICPs can be easily accessed through the Instructional Resources button in the Smarter Reporting System. Each IAB and FIAB has an associated Tools for Teachers Interim Connections Playlist. Educators can use ICPs to find relevant and useful instructional supports that are aligned to students’ assessed needs.

The Tools for Teachers Interim Connections Playlists are not meant to replace curriculum or define an instructional sequence. The resources can be implemented as offered or adapted to suit unique classroom and individual student needs. By considering interim results along with other classroom assessment results and professional judgment, educators can decide how to use Tools for Teachers resources to support their instruction.

All of the Instructional Resources attached to the ICPs have been created and reviewed by educators after they have analyzed the items in the associated interim and offered their own best practices for differentiated instruction, formative assessment, and accessibility.

Grade 4 Geometry Interim Connections Playlist from Tools for Teachers. The table shows a comparison of Resource Type to Student Performance Progression. Shown are three categories for Resources: Symmetry, Property of Angles, and Creating a Geometric Map. There are three categories for student performance: Below, Near, and Above.

Figure 1. Smarter Balanced Interim Connections Playlist for Grade 4 Geometry