Overview

The Tools for Teachers is an online collection of high-quality instructional and professional learning resources contributed by educators for educators. These resources are aligned with the intent of the Nevada Academic Content Standards and help educators implement the formative assessment process to improve teaching and learning. Educators can use the materials to:

• Engage in professional learning communities
• Differentiate instruction for diverse learners
• Engage students in their own learning
• Improve assessment literacy
• Design professional development opportunities

Connections Playlists are a collection of resources in the Digital Library that address a progression in skills or understandings for a topic. There are three types of Playlists available to Nevada educators:

• Instructional Playlists are collections of Digital Library instructional resources centered around content found on Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Blocks (IABs).
• Interim Connections Playlists are a type of Instructional Playlist that are built based on student performance on IABs. Instructional resources are selected and organized based on the specific achievement categories for an IAB. Interim Connections Playlists are created by classroom educators in collaboration with Smarter Balanced facilitators.
• Professional Learning Playlists are collections of resources in Tools for Teachers that focus on educator professional development to help accelerate student learning, support students with feedback, support your instructions and much more.

Interim Connections Playlists are available to help educators link student performance on the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment Blocks (IAB) to useful, relevant instructional supports aligned to their students’ learning needs.

Who can access Tools for Teachers?
The Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers is intended for use by all K-12 Nevada educators. Educators with access have the ability to download and share the resources with others; however, students and parents do not have direct access to materials in Tools for Teachers.

How do access Tools for Teachers?
Nevada educators must contact their testing director at their school site or district office for an account for Tools for Teachers website.