Up to snuff?

The State Department of Education is seeking 120 Idaho residents to review test questions for the spring Idaho Standards Achievement Tests by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.

The new assessment will replace the previous ISAT and is aligned to the higher Idaho Core Standards in English language, arts and math. The state standards went into effect in Idaho classrooms in 2013.

Idaho has been one of the governing states in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium since its inception in 2010.

The test moves beyond multiple-choice questions to measure critical thinking skills by having students explain their answers and write essays. Idaho fully field-tested the new test in the spring of 2014 and is set to give the operational exam in 2015.

The new test has gone through an extensive bias and sensitivity review as part of test development, but Idaho residents will have their own opportunity to review questions.

Questions flagged by the committee will be presented to the State Board of Education in January, which will determine whether a test question is included on the operational test. Reviews of the questions will be confidential as is standard procedure for a secure assessment.

Educators, parents, and school board members are encouraged to apply for a spot on the committee. The review will take place Dec. 15 to Dec. 19. Participants must commit to being in Boise during those dates and be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If the committee does not finish, participants may be asked to return to Boise Jan. 6 to Jan. 8.

The committee, known as the Bias and Sensitivity Committee, was created by the Idaho Legislature in 2014 through Idaho Code 33-133. The committee consists of a minimum of 30 people from six regions of the state. Each region must be represented by a minimum of two parents of a public school or public charter school student, one teacher, one administrator, and one school board member. Because the committee must review more than 30,000 test questions, 120 people are needed.

To apply, please fill out the form here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/BiasAndSensitivity

Selected committee members will be reimbursed for their travel at the state rate, teachers will also be reimbursed for substitutes. All participants will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. Applications are due by Oct. 30.

Info: Cathy Salas at (208) 332-6909 or csalas@sde.idaho.gov.