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SFUSD outlines Smarter Balanced field‑test plans and technology readiness as online testing begins
Summary
District staff told the board SFUSD will participate in statewide Smarter Balanced field testing this spring (elementary April 7–May 16; middle/high March 18–May 16), described accommodations for English learners and students with IEPs, and outlined headset and device distribution plans and a site‑observation protocol.
San Francisco Unified School District staff updated the board on plans for statewide Smarter Balanced (SBAC) field testing and the district’s preparations to administer the computer‑based assessments.
The district said elementary testing is scheduled for April 7–May 16 and that middle‑ and high‑school testing begins March 18 and runs through May 16. Staff emphasized the spring administration is a field test; the state has not tied consequences to this year’s results but SFUSD is treating it as an opportunity to learn how technology, scheduling, accommodations and instructional shifts will operate at scale.
Research, planning and accountability staff outlined three tiers of supports listed in district materials: universal tools available to all students; designated supports that a team may assign when useful; and accommodations that require inclusion on a student’s IEP. "None of these supports change what’s being tested," a staff member said, noting accommodations allow students to access the same content. Special-education staff are sending notices to parents about the changed format.
Technology staff described a school‑by‑school readiness matrix and said most browser installs and configuration work had been completed, with some donated equipment being brought up to compatibility. The district has purchased and received headset donations (about 3,700 headsets cited as available) and is buying additional headsets and devices; staff said some short‑term shuffling between sites is planned and that the help desk and SBAC vendor support will be used to handle field issues.
District leaders said site test coordinators and administrators completed practice sessions and that the district will deploy an observation protocol across a sample of 4–5 schools to capture implementation issues and develop best practices. Superintendent Carranza urged schools, parents and students to take the field test seriously as a trial run for full implementation.
Board members asked whether LCFF funds support device purchases (staff confirmed that one‑time Common Core funding is being used) and pressed for clarity on headset quantities and costs. Staff provided per‑unit cost ranges and discussed plans to scale devices for the 1:10 student‑device ratio in future years.
The district recommended continued communication with parents and staff during the field‑test window and an evaluation of technical and instructional findings after the trial period.
