DLM Student Progress 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In DLM, what does a 'Mastered' linkage level node indicate about a student's performance?
- The student met the criterion score on the associated testlet (Correct answer)
- The student attempted but did not complete the testlet
- The student was assigned the node by the teacher
- The student skipped the node during instruction
Correct answer: The student met the criterion score on the associated testlet
A Mastered node means the student scored at or above the criterion on the testlet linked to that node.
Question 2: Which DLM report shows a summary of a student's performance across all Essential Elements tested during a year?
- Student Learning Profile
- End-of-Year Individual Student Score Report (Correct answer)
- Testlet Information Page
- Instructionally Embedded Summary Report
Correct answer: End-of-Year Individual Student Score Report
The End-of-Year Individual Student Score Report summarizes performance across all Essential Elements assessed during the school year.
Question 3: A student's DLM linkage level map shows several 'Not Tested' nodes. What is the most likely reason?
- The student refused to participate
- Those nodes were not assigned or no testlets were administered for them (Correct answer)
- The system automatically skips nodes below grade level
- The student's IEP excludes those nodes
Correct answer: Those nodes were not assigned or no testlets were administered for them
Not Tested nodes appear when no testlets were assigned or administered for those specific linkage level nodes.
Question 4: How does the DLM system use First Contact Survey data in relation to student progress?
- It determines the student's final score
- It informs the initial linkage level assignment for instruction and assessment (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for testlets in early grades
- It is used only for reporting to parents
Correct answer: It informs the initial linkage level assignment for instruction and assessment
First Contact Survey responses help determine the starting linkage level so instruction and assessment are appropriately targeted.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the purpose of tracking student progress across multiple DLM windows?
- To rank students against national norms
- To identify growth in knowledge and skills over time within the learning map (Correct answer)
- To determine which students qualify for alternate assessment
- To replace IEP goal monitoring
Correct answer: To identify growth in knowledge and skills over time within the learning map
Tracking progress across windows shows whether students are developing knowledge and skills along the DLM learning map over time.
Question 6: When reviewing a student's DLM Instructionally Embedded results, a teacher notices the student consistently scores at the 'Emerging' level. What instructional action is most appropriate?
- Move the student to a lower linkage level and reteach prerequisite skills (Correct answer)
- Skip the current level and advance to the Target linkage level
- Discontinue DLM assessment for that Essential Element
- Report the results to state authorities for review
Correct answer: Move the student to a lower linkage level and reteach prerequisite skills
Consistent Emerging performance suggests the student needs additional support at a lower linkage level before advancing.
Question 7: In DLM, what does the term 'linkage level' refer to in the context of measuring student progress?
- The grade level of the standard being assessed
- A point on the learning map representing a specific level of complexity for an Essential Element (Correct answer)
- The connection between two different academic subjects
- The number of testlets completed by a student
Correct answer: A point on the learning map representing a specific level of complexity for an Essential Element
A linkage level is a specific point on the DLM learning map that represents a defined level of complexity for an Essential Element.
DLM Student Progress 2
In DLM, what does a 'Mastered' linkage level node indicate about a student's performance?