State Testing Resources
Calculator Use on State Testing Policy Finder (2018)
This tool provides detailed information on the **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** guidelines. Select a state to see its specific policies for major standardized tests like PARCC and Smarter Balanced during the 2017-2018 academic year.
Find Your State’s 2018 Policy
2018 National Overview: Calculator Policy Types
What is Calculator Use on State Testing Which States 2018?
The topic “calculator use on state testing which states 2018” refers to the specific rules and guidelines set by each U.S. state regarding the types of calculators students were permitted to use during standardized assessments in the 2017-2018 academic year. These policies were critical for ensuring fairness and consistency in testing conditions. In 2018, the landscape was dominated by two major testing consortia, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), though many states used their own unique tests. The rules determined whether a calculator was allowed at all, and if so, whether it could be a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. This directly impacted test preparation and classroom instruction.
Anyone involved in the education system, including students, parents, teachers, and administrators, needed to understand the specific **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** policies. A common misconception was that a single, nationwide rule existed. However, policies were highly fragmented, with each state or consortium setting its own standards based on the mathematical concepts being assessed.
Understanding 2018 Testing Policies
There was no single “formula” for determining calculator policy in 2018. Instead, policies were based on a set of principles designed to measure specific mathematical skills. Generally, tests were divided into “calculator” and “non-calculator” sections. The non-calculator sections were designed to assess a student’s mental math, estimation skills, and fundamental procedural fluency. The calculator sections allowed students to use a calculation tool to solve more complex problems, focusing on reasoning and application rather than arithmetic. The decision of **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** was a balance between assessing foundational skills and higher-order thinking.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit / Type | Typical Range for 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Consortium | The group of states using a common test (e.g., PARCC, Smarter Balanced). | Name | PARCC, Smarter Balanced, State-Specific (e.g., STAAR, FSA) |
| Calculator Type | The level of calculator functionality permitted. | Category | None, Four-Function, Scientific, Graphing (with/without CAS) |
| Grade Level | The student’s grade, which heavily influenced the policy. | Number | 3-5 (typically no calculator), 6-8 (four-function or scientific), High School (graphing) |
| Test Modality | Whether the test was administered on a computer or on paper. | Format | Computer-Based (embedded calculator), Paper-Based (handheld required) |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: 8th Grade Student in a PARCC State (e.g., Illinois)
An 8th-grade student in Illinois in 2018 taking the PARCC mathematics assessment would have faced a test with both calculator and non-calculator sections. According to the PARCC policy for that year, for the calculator-permitted sections, the student was allowed to use a scientific calculator. This meant they could perform calculations involving exponents, trigonometry, and logarithms, which aligned with the 8th-grade Common Core standards being tested. Using our policy finder for this query on **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** would show “Scientific Calculator” as the allowed type for this scenario.
Example 2: 11th Grade Student in a Smarter Balanced State (e.g., California)
An 11th-grade student in California taking the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) test would have used the embedded Desmos graphing calculator provided within the online testing platform for the calculator-allowed segments. Handheld calculators were generally not permitted for the online test to ensure equity and prevent the use of devices with prohibited features. This policy on **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** emphasized the use of a standardized digital tool for all students.
How to Use This Calculator Policy Finder
Using this tool to determine the **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** is straightforward:
- Select a State: Use the dropdown menu to choose the state you are interested in.
- View the Results: The tool will instantly display the primary calculator policy for that state in 2018 in the green “Primary Result” box.
- Examine the Details: The “Intermediate Values” section provides context, such as the main test administered (e.g., PARCC, ACT, State-specific) and the scope of the policy.
- Analyze the Chart: The bar chart offers a national perspective, showing how many states fell into each policy category, which is useful for understanding the broader landscape of **calculator use on state testing which states 2018**.
- Reset or Copy: Use the “Reset” button to clear the selection or “Copy Results” to save the information for your records.
Key Factors That Affected 2018 Calculator Policies
The complex issue of **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** was influenced by several educational and logistical factors.
- Test Design and Validity: The primary factor was the test’s purpose. If a question aimed to assess arithmetic fluency, calculators were forbidden. If it aimed to assess problem-solving with complex numbers, a calculator was deemed an appropriate tool.
- Equity and Access: Providing an embedded digital calculator, as Smarter Balanced did, aimed to level the playing field, ensuring no student was disadvantaged by not owning a powerful handheld device. For paper tests, districts had to ensure they could provide the right type of calculator for every student.
- Grade Level: Policies were always tiered by grade. Elementary students (3-5) were almost universally barred from using calculators to ensure they developed foundational math skills. Middle school allowed basic or scientific calculators, while high school often permitted graphing calculators for advanced topics.
- Test Security: Strict rules prevented the use of calculators with internet access, QWERTY keyboards, or Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) that could solve algebraic equations symbolically. Test administrators were often required to clear calculator memory before and after tests.
- Influence of Consortia (PARCC/SBAC): The two major consortia created standardized policies for their member states. This brought more uniformity to **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** compared to previous years where every state had a unique policy.
- Transition to Common Core: The shift to Common Core State Standards prompted a re-evaluation of how calculators should be used. The standards emphasized both procedural skill and conceptual understanding, and testing policies tried to reflect this balance. For more info, you might read about {related_keywords}.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why were calculators banned in elementary grades (3-5)?
To ensure students developed fundamental number sense, fluency with basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), and estimation skills without relying on a tool. This was a core principle of both PARCC and Smarter Balanced guidelines in 2018.
What was the difference between a scientific and a graphing calculator?
A scientific calculator can handle exponents, logs, trigonometric functions, and scientific notation. A graphing calculator has all those features plus the ability to plot functions on a coordinate plane, which is essential for visualizing concepts in Algebra and Calculus. Understanding the {related_keywords} is key here.
What is a Computer Algebra System (CAS) and why was it banned?
A CAS can manipulate mathematical expressions symbolically—for example, it can solve for ‘x’ in an equation or factor a polynomial. This was prohibited on most 2018 state tests because it would solve the problem for the student, preventing an accurate assessment of the student’s own algebraic reasoning skills.
Did the ACT or SAT have similar policies in 2018?
Yes, both the ACT and SAT had long-standing, detailed calculator policies. The ACT allowed calculators on its math section, while the SAT had a dedicated calculator portion. Their lists of permitted and prohibited calculators often served as a reference for state-level policies.
Could students use their own calculators?
It depended. For computer-based tests like the SBAC, students were generally expected to use the embedded calculator. For PARCC and many paper-based state tests, students could often bring their own, provided it met the specific requirements and was on the approved list. Schools were responsible for ensuring compliance. You can learn more about {related_keywords}.
What happened if a student used a prohibited calculator?
Using a non-approved calculator or using a calculator on a non-calculator section was considered a test irregularity. This could lead to the student’s test score being invalidated. This highlights the importance of understanding the **calculator use on state testing which states 2018** policies.
What was the main difference between PARCC and Smarter Balanced calculator policies in 2018?
A key difference was the approach to handheld devices. Smarter Balanced heavily favored its embedded online Desmos calculator for computer-based tests, while PARCC was more lenient in allowing students to bring their own approved handheld calculators for both computer and paper tests. For more details, see our article on {related_keywords}.
Where can I find today’s calculator policies?
This tool focuses on the historical **calculator use on state testing which states 2018**. For current policies, you should visit your state’s Department of Education website or the official websites for current tests like the SAT, ACT, or your state’s specific assessment program. Checking a {related_keywords} can be helpful.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
- {related_keywords}: Explore the evolution of testing standards from 2018 to the present day.
- {related_keywords}: A deep dive into the features that differentiate various types of calculators used in education.
- {related_keywords}: Learn about the importance of test security protocols and how they have changed since 2018.
- {related_keywords}: A comparison of the educational philosophies behind the PARCC and SBAC testing frameworks.