Smarter Balanced Test

Next year, the students will switch from OAKS (Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) to The Smarter Balanced Test for their standardized testing.  It will focus more on critical thinking skills and the students will be able to better show what they know instead of choosing random multiple choice answers.

Other differences include: this test is taken only once a year as supposed to two or three, there will be a writing component, and much of the responses will be typed in short sentences or paragraphs.
If you want to know what your students' will go through and try the sample test for yourself, here is the website:

Sample Smarter Balanced Test

Meet Ms. Ried!

Hello Parents and Guardians!

I'm Rachelle Reid (your student's call me Ms.Reid), I am a college student in my first year of the CUEST program through Eastern Oregon University, and am student teaching part time in Mr.Nguyen's classroom. I have been in many classrooms, including my own Wednesday night class for 3 to 6 year old children at Anthem. I have been in a recourse room for middle school and upper elementary students. More recently, I've spent time in a Kindergarten class, third grade, second grade, and another 5th grade classroom (of which most of the students spoke Spanish as their first language). My passions are teaching, learning, and creativity. 

I'm very excited about the unit I will be teaching your students this term! we will be growing plants and learning as much as we can about the growth process. We will even be doing some painting! I will be letting you know how we did at the end of our plant unit. I have really enjoyed this classroom so far, between the great students and thier amazing teacher, I know I will be learning a lot!

Thank you for your time!

Ms.Reid