Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
Measured Progress was awarded the Smarter Balanced Systems Architecture and Technical Governance Program. This project gathered key inputs enabling the creation of the technical architecture as well as set the framework for governing the technical delivery of solutions aligned to the goals and objectives of the Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced).
The initiative established a roadmap to develop the technological infrastructure needed to support the Smarter Balanced Assessment System. In addition, the initiative will guide the Consortium in the development of future technology RFPs and define the architectural parameters to which future technology solutions must adhere.
The overall approach was to divide the initiative into 2 Phases. Phase I concluded in December 2011 and involved extensive requirements gathering and developing a technology blueprint for the assessment system. The final deliverables for this phase include: a PDF with all of the Architecture, design and governance requirements and an iPad Application that will allow vendors to access the information real-time for simplified access and sharing. The deliverables can be found here:
Smarter Balanced Architecture Report
Governance Plan
Phase II of this initiative began in late December 2011 and will run the course of the contract through 2014. This phase focuses on the further refinement and elaboration of the architecture based on emergent requirements, standards and evolving tools and technologies. As the system components are implemented the team will define and manage the open source community, its processes including the ongoing development activities with the selected vendor community. The team assigned for managing the core architecture work will also participate and support the Architecture Review Board (ARB).
The ARB has been established to represent the interests of Smarter Balanced member states in the decision-making and prioritization with regards to the Smarter Balanced Architecture and will support the on-going implementation phase of this initiative.
This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top Assessment Program. Smarter Balanced is a state-led consortium working to develop a next-generation assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards that helps prepare students for college and careers.
For additional information about Smarter Balanced please visit: www.smarterbalanced.org
