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NAEP
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CSTs
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Purpose
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- Provide a national measure of student performance and how performance is changing over time.
- Make valid comparisons among states and between a state and the nation.
- Provide results for the nation, states, and some large urban districts.
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- Measure students' achievement of state academic content standards.
- Track progress toward school growth targets for state accountability and toward federal NCLB requirements for adequate yearly progress.
- Provide state, county, district, school, and individual student data.
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Overseeing Agency
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U.S. Department of Education, with policy direction from the National Assessment Governing Board.
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California Department of Education, with oversight from the State Board of Education.
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Who is Tested
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A sample of students in grades 4, 8, and 12 in public and private schools.
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All public school students in grades 2-11, with few exceptions.
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Subjects for Which There are Tests
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Math, reading, writing, science, U.S. history, geography, arts, economics, civics, foreign language, and world history. (Frequency of administration varies.)
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Math, English language arts, science (general as well as biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science), and history/social studies.
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When Tests are Given
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Every year between January and March; every two years for state NAEP. (Exact testing window varies by state.)
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Every year in the spring when 85% of the instructional year is complete.
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When Testing Began
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"Long-term trend" NAEP began in 1969; voluntary state participation in "main" NAEP began in 1990. |
The CSTs began reporting results in 2002-03.
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Achievement Levels
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Four levels; advanced, proficient, basic, below basic.
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Five levels; advanced, proficient, basic, below basic, far below basic.
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Range of Possible Scores
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0 to 500 (4th and 8th grade reading and math).
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150 to 600 (all the CSTs).
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Required Participation Rate
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States must test at least 85% of the schools selected for the sample.
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Every school must test 95% of its students to meet federal requirements.
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Structure of Test
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Multiple-choice and constructed-response matrix-design test. (Each student takes a portion of the exam lasting 50 minutes.)
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Multiple-choice only, except 4th and 7th grade writing. Each student takes the complete test, lasting 150 to 195 minutes.
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Accountability
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State-level results publicly reported. Results also reported for Los Angeles and for San Diego unified districts. No consequences or sanctions for performance.
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Contributes to state accountability system (Academic Performance Index). School- and district-level results publicly reported. Can lead to sanctions under NCLB if the district receives federal Title I funds.
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Release of Results
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National, state, and large-urban-district levels only.
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State, county, district, and school levels, with results publicly reported. Parents and schools receive student-level reports.
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