In response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on education, Salem-Keizer Public Schools will not administer the Smarter Balanced state assessment this spring, putting the district out of compliance with state standards. Last week, the Salem-Keizer school board voted not to administer the test, also referred to as SBAC, this school year. District officials said this allows for more time on instruction for the remainder of the school year, which ends June 17. The decision was made after exploring multiple options, officials added, and was determined to be the best approach for students. Students will continue to be assessed through other standardized testing methods, officials said, as well as school-based metrics.