Earlier this week, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium released sample items and performance tasks that are intended to help teachers, administrators and policymakers implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and prepare for the first administration of the Smarter Balanced assessments during the spring of 2015. The samples provide an early look into the depth of understanding of the CCSS that will be measured by the Smarter Balanced assessment system. While the items and tasks are not intended to be used as sample tests, educators can use them to begin planning the shifts in instruction that will be required to help students meet the demands of the new assessments. [MORE]