Appendix B: Grade Level Tables for All Claims and Assessment Targets and Item Types
These tables lay out assessment targets that comprise each of the four claims Smarter Balanced summative assessment is being designed to evaluate:
Students can read closely and analytically to comprehend a range of increasingly complex literary and informational texts.
Students can produce effective writing for a range of purposes and audiences.
Students can employ effective speaking and listening skills for a range of purposes and audiences.
Students can engage in research/inquiry to investigate topics, and to analyze, integrate, and present information.
The assessment targets link directly to CCSS English language arts standards.
Note that the tables are organized by claim and grade, so the document starts with the assessment targets for Claim 1 for grades 3-5, 6-11, and 11, before moving on to those for Claims 2, 3 and 4.
These documents also indicate what proportion of the ELA tests will address information versus literacy text. The underlined portions show how each target may be assessed – the nature and kinds of questions and responses that may be used to address each target.