NCLB State Assessment Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NCLB, what was the ultimate proficiency target all students were expected to reach by the 2013–2014 school year?
- 50% proficiency in reading and math
- 75% proficiency in reading and math
- 100% proficiency in reading and math (Correct answer)
- 90% proficiency in reading and math
Correct answer: 100% proficiency in reading and math
NCLB set a goal of 100% student proficiency in reading and mathematics by the end of the 2013–2014 school year.
Question 2: What flexibility did NCLB grant states regarding the definition of 'proficient' on state assessments?
- States had no flexibility; the federal government defined proficiency
- States could define their own proficiency standards and cut scores (Correct answer)
- States chose proficiency levels from a federal menu of options
- Proficiency was defined solely by NAEP scores
Correct answer: States could define their own proficiency standards and cut scores
Each state defined its own proficiency standards and cut scores, leading to wide variation in difficulty across states.
Question 3: Which federal assessment was used as an external benchmark to compare rigor of state assessments under NCLB?
- SAT
- ACT
- NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) (Correct answer)
- TIMSS
Correct answer: NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
NAEP served as the Nation's Report Card and allowed comparisons of state proficiency rates against a common national standard.
Question 4: Under the 'safe harbor' provision in NCLB, a subgroup could meet AYP even if it missed the proficiency target if it met which condition?
- Reduced the percentage of non-proficient students by at least 10% from the prior year (Correct answer)
- Increased average scale scores by 5 points
- Had 95% student participation in testing
- Improved graduation rates by 2%
Correct answer: Reduced the percentage of non-proficient students by at least 10% from the prior year
Safe harbor allowed a subgroup to make AYP if it reduced its percentage of non-proficient students by 10% and met the 95% participation rate.
Question 5: What was the NCLB requirement regarding student participation rates in state assessments?
- At least 75% of each subgroup must participate
- At least 85% of each subgroup must participate
- At least 95% of each subgroup must participate (Correct answer)
- 100% participation was required
Correct answer: At least 95% of each subgroup must participate
NCLB required at least 95% of each subgroup to participate in state assessments for a school to make AYP.
Question 6: Which type of assessment did NCLB allow for English language learners (ELLs) in their first year in U.S. schools?
- ELLs in their first year were fully exempt from all assessments
- States could exempt first-year ELLs from English reading/language arts but must assess them in math (Correct answer)
- All ELLs had to take the same assessments as native English speakers
- ELLs could substitute a home-language assessment for all subjects
Correct answer: States could exempt first-year ELLs from English reading/language arts but must assess them in math
First-year ELLs could be exempt from English language arts assessments but were still required to be tested in mathematics.
Question 7: If a state's assessment system was not approved by the U.S. Department of Education under NCLB, what consequence did the state face?
- Loss of all federal education funding
- Loss of Title I administrative funds
- Reduction of Title I funding by up to 25% (Correct answer)
- Mandatory federal takeover of state education department
Correct answer: Reduction of Title I funding by up to 25%
States without an approved assessment system risked having their Title I administrative funds reduced by up to 25%.
NCLB State Assessment Systems 3
Under NCLB, what was the ultimate proficiency target all students were expected to reach by the 2013–2014 school year?