The Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments are designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year. Specifically, interim assessments are intended to provide meaningful information for gauging student progress throughout the year toward mastery of the skills measured by the summative assessments.
The Smarter Balanced assessment system has three components: the summative assessments, designed for accountability purposes; interim assessments, designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year; and the Digital Library, designed to support classroom-based formative assessment processes. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Graphic (PDF) displays the relationship between these components, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and college and career readiness.