DLM Student Progress 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student completes a DLM testlet and receives a score of 'In Progress.' What does this indicate?
- The testlet was interrupted and not fully scored
- The student showed some understanding but did not meet the mastery criterion (Correct answer)
- The teacher has not yet submitted the testlet results
- The student needs to retake the testlet under different conditions
Correct answer: The student showed some understanding but did not meet the mastery criterion
In Progress indicates the student demonstrated partial understanding but did not reach the criterion score for mastery.
Question 2: Which DLM feature allows teachers to view a visual representation of a student's progress through Essential Elements?
- The Standards Alignment Chart
- The Student Activity Table
- The Learning Profile Map (Correct answer)
- The Educator Portal Dashboard
Correct answer: The Learning Profile Map
The Learning Profile Map provides a visual display of the student's progress across nodes and linkage levels within the DLM system.
Question 3: During the DLM Instructionally Embedded window, how frequently can a teacher reassign a testlet at the same linkage level if a student does not master it?
- Only once per academic year
- Up to three times within the same window
- Once per instructional window after a waiting period (Correct answer)
- As many times as needed with no restrictions
Correct answer: Once per instructional window after a waiting period
Teachers may reassign a testlet once per window at the same linkage level if the student did not achieve mastery.
Question 4: What information is primarily used to determine a student's linkage level at the start of the DLM Summative window?
- Statewide benchmark assessment scores
- Performance during the Instructionally Embedded window and teacher input (Correct answer)
- Parent or guardian recommendations
- Chronological age and grade placement alone
Correct answer: Performance during the Instructionally Embedded window and teacher input
Performance data from the Instructionally Embedded window and teacher input guide linkage level assignment for the Summative window.
Question 5: A student with significant cognitive disabilities masters the Initial linkage level of an Essential Element. According to DLM progress tracking, what should happen next?
- The student is exempt from further testing on that Essential Element
- The teacher should provide instruction at the Distal Precursor linkage level and reassess (Correct answer)
- Progress data is sent to the state for review before moving forward
- The student automatically advances to the Target linkage level
Correct answer: The teacher should provide instruction at the Distal Precursor linkage level and reassess
After mastering Initial, the student should receive instruction and assessment at the next linkage level, which is Distal Precursor.
Question 6: Which of the following best explains why DLM uses multiple linkage levels rather than a single grade-level assessment?
- To reduce testing time for all students
- To accommodate the wide range of academic complexity among students with significant cognitive disabilities (Correct answer)
- To align with college entrance exam formats
- To allow non-certified educators to administer assessments
Correct answer: To accommodate the wide range of academic complexity among students with significant cognitive disabilities
Multiple linkage levels ensure the assessment is accessible and meaningful for students who perform across a broad range of academic complexity.
Question 7: A student's DLM score report shows 'Emerging' at the Proximal Precursor linkage level. Which instructional strategy is most aligned with DLM recommendations?
- Focus instruction entirely on functional life skills instead
- Provide targeted instruction at that linkage level and reassess during the next window (Correct answer)
- Advance the student immediately to the Target level to increase challenge
- Document the result and take no further instructional action until the next school year
Correct answer: Provide targeted instruction at that linkage level and reassess during the next window
Emerging performance signals the student is developing the skill, so continued targeted instruction and reassessment is the recommended approach.
DLM Student Progress 3
A student completes a DLM testlet and receives a score of 'In Progress.' What does this indicate?