ABSTRACT
A core principle of the Smarter Balanced assessment system is accessibility for students. Resources provided on Smarter Balanced assessments allow for equitable access for students with diverse needs and preferences. All Smarter Balanced accessibility resources are built with students in mind. Utilizing the principles of universal design, these resources include braille, Spanish translations, videos in American Sign Language, glossaries provided in 13 languages and several varieties and dialects, as well as translated test directions in 21 languages. Smarter Balanced worked with educators, students, and experts in the field to design and vet the assessment system. We regularly work with advisory panels on English learners and students with disabilities to ensure that the assessments are developed using principles of universal design and research-based best practices. Building on the core principle of accessibility is enhanced student engagement, going beyond keeping students in mind during the development process. Developing locally responsive assessments (i.e., assessments that are student-centered, consider local context, and include the supports needed to fully demonstrate knowledge and skills) is one path to making assessments more accessible for the widest range of students. Additional research is needed to explore the extent to which locally responsive processes and practices allow students to show the full extent of their knowledge and skills in the domain being assessed.
