Appendix C: Reporting Achievement Levels

Descriptors for Smarter Balanced achievement levels were provided to Consortium members for the 2014–15 test administration. These are applicable to the current administration. Please note that members may choose to alter the descriptors or to rename the four achievement levels.

Table C.1 and Table C.2 display the achievement level descriptors for the ELA/literacy and mathematics Smarter Balanced assessments. Please note states may choose to alter the descriptions or to rename the achievement levels.

Table C1: ELA/LITERACY REPORTING ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL DESCRIPTORS

High School	Grades 6–8	Grades 3–5
Level 4	Level 4	Level 4
The student has exceeded the achievement standard and demonstrates the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has exceeded the achievement standard and demonstrates advanced progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has exceeded the achievement standard and demonstrates advanced progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in future coursework.
Level 3	Level 3	Level 3
The student has met the achievement standard and demonstrates progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after completing high school coursework.	The student has met the achievement standard and demonstrates progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has met the achievement standard and demonstrates progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in future coursework.
Level 2	Level 2	Level 2
The student has nearly met the achievement standard and may require further development to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has nearly met the achievement standard and may require further development to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has nearly met the achievement standard and may require further development to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in future coursework.
Level 1	Level 1	Level 1
The student has not met the achievement standard and needs substantial improvement to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has not met the achievement standard and needs substantial improvement to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has not met the achievement standard and needs substantial improvement to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in English language arts/literacy needed for likely success in future coursework.

Table C2: MATHEMATICS REPORTING ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL DESCRIPTORS

High School	Grades 6–8	Grades 3–5
Level 4	Level 4	Level 4
The student has exceeded the achievement standard and demonstrates the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has exceeded the achievement standard and demonstrates advanced progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has exceeded the achievement standard and demonstrates advanced progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in future coursework.
Level 3	Level 3	Level 3
The student has met the achievement standard and demonstrates progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after completing high school coursework.	The student has met the achievement standard and demonstrates progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has met the achievement standard and demonstrates progress toward mastery of the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in future coursework.
Level 2	Level 2	Level 2
The student has nearly met the achievement standard and may require further development to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has nearly met the achievement standard and may require further development to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has nearly met the achievement standard and may require further development to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in future coursework.
Level 1	Level 1	Level 1
The student has not met the achievement standard and needs substantial improvement to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has not met the achievement standard and needs substantial improvement to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in entry-level credit-bearing college coursework<a0>after high school.	The student has not met the achievement standard and needs substantial improvement to demonstrate the knowledge and skills in mathematics needed for likely success in future coursework.