NAEP and PSAT NAEP and PSAT Big Picture

NAEP and PSAT

NAEP and PSAT Big Picture Objectives • Understand NAEP, especially how NAEP allows us to view Oregon assessment results in a national or international context. • Understand the PSAT and how to provide testing opportunities to students.

NAEP and PSAT Definition and Purpose NAEP Definition and Purpose: The National Assessment of Educational Progress is used by policy makers to compare student achievement among states and over time. NAEP results appear on district report cards and will be used more and more at the federal level to evaluate the achievement gap. In 2011, a NAEP – TIMSS Linking Study will provide states with projected 8 th grade TIMSS scores in math and science to support international comparisons of student achievement.

NAEP and PSAT Definition and Purpose (cont) PSAT Definition and Purpose: • The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. • It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT to high school Sophomores and Juniors. • In Oregon, the PSAT is offered to all 10 th graders enrolled in a public school free of charge. • Eligible districts which have been granted a waiver may use SAT as a substitute for the PSAT.

NAEP and PSAT Dos and Don’ts NAEP – Dos • Decide how the district will support selected schools with NAEP tasks such as online submission of school information, verification of student demographic data, and parent/guardian notification. • Communicate with our state NAEP coordinator if you have questions or concerns regarding NAEP: Beth La. Duca, NAEP State Coordinator (503) 947 -5836 or Beth. La. Duca@state. or. us

NAEP and PSAT NAEP Promising Practices • Educate district and school staff about the importance of NAEP • Talk with parents about how NAEP results can help the nation improve student achievement • Visit the NAEP web site to review NAEP released items, scoring rubrics, and other resources: http: //nces. ed. gov/nationsreportcard/

NAEP and PSAT Dos and Don’ts (cont) PSAT – Do’s • All 10 th graders must be given the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT®. (FYI: Many scholarships only accept PSAT scores from Juniors) • A one year waiver may be requested if the district administers a similar test (ACT) • Contact college board with any questions PSAT – Don’ts • Students should not be forced to take the PSAT. It is an option that should be made available to all, but it should not be required.

NAEP and PSAT NAEP In a Nutshell • NAEP results show whether Oregon’s student groups perform better or worse than the same groups nationally and in other states. This information can be used to target areas in need of improvement. • NAEP is short and is administered by NAEP field staff, not school personnel. • NAEP provides accommodations for students with disabilities and for English Language Learners. • NAEP 2011 will include state level assessments in math and reading at grades 4 and 8 and in science at grade 8 as well as a national level writing computer based assessment at grades 8 and 12.

NAEP and PSAT In a Nutshell • Testing dates are 10/13 and 10/16 (schools can only test on one date either the 13 th or the 16 th) • Districts will work with the College Board to order tests as they have in the past

NAEP and PSAT Acorns for Storage • How can NAEP help Oregon students? • How can NAEP help Oregon educators understand how Oregon standards and student achievement compare nationally and internationally? • How do students benefit from exposure to the PSAT?