Why does the Smarter Balance matter?

The Smarter Balance Assessment provides an annual snapshot of your student’s academic growth.  For students in grades 3 through 8 and 11, the Smarter Balanced Assessment offers the opportunity to apply the skills and content knowledge that they have learned in face-to-face class, online through the curriculum and in independent learning opportunities.   Based on last year’s results, our students are well prepared for success on the Smarter Balanced Assessment.  The length of the test has been reduced from last year as have the number of days of testing. Please be certain to review your division/island calendar for Smarter Balanced Assessment dates and times.
Did you know…
that Hawaii is not an “opt out” state.  If your student does not participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment, HTA is demerited on our academic performance framework.  The academic performance framework is a key indicator in Hawaii’s StriveHI system for school improvement.  In 2015, HTA was demerited an average of 2% of those students who tested as proficient in each subject area.  As a result, HTA remains in School Focus status.  This means that our school falls subject to school improvement measures mandated by the Department of Education.  Below you can view an example of how a participation rate of less than 95% impacts our scores.


HTA encourages all students to participate in SBA testing so that we can celebrate the academic growth of our students and collect data to better equip us as teachers and parent learning coaches in enriching their learning experience.  As a reminder, if you refuse testing for your student, your student still needs to report to the learning center or test site on the scheduled test dates.
We thank you in advance for supporting your student during the Smarter Balanced Assessment.  
With Aloha,
Ms. Fitz and Mr. Zitello