SBAC Essay Grader for Smarter Balanced Test Prep
AI Grading Aligned with SBAC Writing Rubrics
Prepare students for Smarter Balanced success with AI essay grading. Get instant feedback on argumentative, informative, and narrative writing using official SBAC rubric criteria.
Supports All SBAC Writing Types
Grade any Smarter Balanced writing task
Argumentative
Claim, evidence, reasoning
Informative/Explanatory
Examine and convey complex ideas
Narrative
Real or imagined experiences
Performance Tasks
Source-based writing
Feedback by SBAC Rubric Dimension
Our AI evaluates essays using the official SBAC analytic rubric. Students receive targeted feedback on each dimension to focus their improvement.
Organization/Purpose
Controlling idea, logical progression, effective introduction and conclusion
Evidence/Elaboration
Use of sources, relevant evidence, elaboration and analysis
Conventions
Grammar, usage, mechanics, and sentence construction
Overall: 8/12 - Approaching Standard
Used by Teachers in SBAC States
States using Smarter Balanced assessments
Try AI Grading Now — It's Free
Grade the sample essay below instantly, or edit it to paste your own. See real AI-powered feedback in seconds.
Sample Student Essay
198 words
The day I learned to ride a bike is a memory I will never forget. I was seven years old, and my dad had been trying to teach me for weeks. Every time I got on the bike, I would wobble and fall off within seconds.
One sunny Saturday morning, my dad took me to the park. He held onto the back of my seat as I pedaled, giving me confidence that I wouldn't fall. We went around and around the parking lot until my legs were tired.
Then something magical happened. I looked back and realized my dad had let go. I was riding on my own! I felt like I was flying. The wind rushed past my face and I couldn't stop smiling.
I rode all the way to the end of the parking lot before I realized I didn't know how to stop. I ended up crashing into a bush, but I didn't care. I had done it. I had finally learned to ride a bike.
That day taught me that with practice and patience, I can accomplish anything. My dad says he was proud of me, but I think I was prouder of myself.
Click "Edit" to paste your own essay or modify the sample
AI Grading Results
Click "Grade This Essay" to see detailed feedback, rubric scores, and improvement suggestions.
Everything Your AI Grading Tool Should Have
Our AI essay grader includes powerful features that transform grading from a chore into a breeze
Custom Rubrics
Create rubrics that align perfectly with your standards and curriculum, or choose from 60+ state rubrics including STAAR, SBAC, and Regents
Bulk Upload
Grade entire classes at once - upload 30 essays and get detailed feedback for each student in under 5 minutes
Class Analytics
See class-wide strengths and weaknesses at a glance, identify struggling students, and track progress over time
Google Classroom
Seamlessly integrate with your existing classroom workflow - import assignments and export grades directly
See AI Grading in Action
Explore how our AI essay grader provides detailed feedback, rubric scores, and insights for every submission.
Complete Grading Dashboard
View all student grades, rubric breakdowns, and class analytics in one centralized dashboard. Track progress, identify patterns, and export results with a single click.
- Student list with grades at a glance
- Detailed rubric score breakdowns
- Class average and performance metrics
- One-click export to Google Classroom


Detailed Inline Feedback
Every essay is annotated with color-coded feedback directly on the submission. Students see exactly where they excelled and where they can improve.
- Green highlights for strengths
- Yellow highlights for areas to improve
- Numbered annotations with explanations
- Specific, actionable suggestions
Built-in AI Detection
Maintain academic integrity with our integrated AI content detection. Get a detailed analysis of writing patterns that may indicate AI-generated content.
- Percentage likelihood of AI content
- Specific indicators explained
- Detailed analysis breakdown
- Re-analyze option for edge cases


Start Grading in Seconds
Create a new grading session in under 60 seconds. Import from Google Classroom, upload files, or paste text directly. Choose from 60+ official state rubrics.
- Google Classroom integration
- Bulk file upload support
- Paste text directly
- 60+ state rubrics (STAAR, SBAC, Regents)
How AI Essay Grading Works
Our AI essay grader uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to analyze student writing with the same attention to detail as an experienced teacher. Unlike simple grammar checkers, our automated essay grading system understands context, evaluates argument structure, and provides rubric-aligned feedback.
The AI Grading Process
When you upload an essay to our AI grading tool, the system performs a comprehensive analysis in three stages:
- Content Analysis: The AI evaluates the thesis statement, supporting evidence, logical flow, and depth of analysis against your rubric criteria.
- Writing Quality Assessment: Our automated grading examines grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary usage, and overall clarity.
- Rubric Alignment: Each element is scored against your chosen rubric, whether it's a custom rubric or one of our 60+ state rubrics like STAAR, SBAC, or Regents.
Why Teachers Choose EasyClass Over Other AI Graders
Teachers looking for alternatives to MagicSchool or CoGrader often choose EasyClass for several key reasons:
- 60+ Official State Rubrics: Pre-loaded rubrics for STAAR (Texas), SBAC (California), Regents (New York), and more
- Batch Grading: Grade an entire class of 30 essays in under 5 minutes
- Detailed Feedback: Students receive specific, actionable suggestions—not generic comments
- Academic Integrity: Built-in plagiarism detection and AI-written content identification
- Free Trial: Try unlimited essays before committing to a subscription
Ready to save 10+ hours every week? Try our free AI essay grader above and see why thousands of teachers have made the switch.
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Teacher
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Teacher
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Teacher
SBAC Essay Grader FAQ
What is the SBAC writing test?
SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) tests assess students in California, Washington, and other states. The writing component includes performance tasks with argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative prompts.
How does the AI grade SBAC essays?
Our AI is trained on official SBAC writing rubrics, evaluating Organization/Purpose, Evidence/Elaboration, and Conventions. It provides 4-point scale scores matching SBAC criteria.
Which SBAC writing types are supported?
We support all three SBAC writing types: Argumentative (opinion/claim with evidence), Informative/Explanatory (examine a topic), and Narrative (real or imagined experiences).
What states use SBAC testing?
SBAC is used in California (CAASPP), Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, and others.
Does it work with SBAC performance tasks?
Yes! The grader works with full performance task essays where students read sources and respond to prompts. It evaluates how well students integrate evidence from source materials.
How accurate is the SBAC score prediction?
Our AI scores align closely with official SBAC rubric criteria. Teachers report that practice scores help identify specific areas for improvement before the actual test.
Can I use this for CAASPP preparation?
Yes! CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) uses SBAC tests. Our grader helps California teachers prepare students for the writing portion.
Is there a free version?
Yes! Grade up to 50 essays per month free. Perfect for SBAC practice throughout the school year without any cost.
Explore Grading Methods
Research-backed grading approaches aligned with Smarter Balanced assessment.
Standards-Based Grading
0.33 SD achievement gain with CCSS-aligned proficiency scoring
Learn moreRubric-Based Grading
400+ rubrics including SBAC performance task templates
Learn moreHolistic Grading
3x faster — mirrors Smarter Balanced holistic scoring
Learn moreAnalytic Rubric Grading
85%+ reliability for SBAC criterion-based writing assessment
Learn moreFormative Assessment
Low-stakes practice for building SBAC writing readiness
Learn moreAutomated Essay Scoring
How AI achieves near-human accuracy for essay grading
Learn more