NM-MSSA Performance Levels 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On the NM-MSSA, which performance level indicates a student is on track to meet grade-level expectations without additional support?
- Beginning
- Approaching
- Proficient (Correct answer)
- Advanced
Correct answer: Proficient
Proficient indicates a student has met grade-level expectations and is on track without additional intervention.
Question 2: A student scoring at the 'Approaching' level on NM-MSSA mathematics most likely needs what kind of support?
- No additional support
- Targeted, supplemental instruction (Correct answer)
- Intensive intervention
- Gifted and talented services
Correct answer: Targeted, supplemental instruction
Approaching indicates a student is close but not yet at proficiency and benefits from targeted, supplemental support.
Question 3: How many total performance levels are used to report NM-MSSA results?
- 3
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 6
Correct answer: 4
NM-MSSA uses four performance levels: Beginning, Approaching, Proficient, and Advanced.
Question 4: Which NM-MSSA performance level is associated with the highest scale score range?
- Approaching
- Proficient
- Advanced (Correct answer)
- Mastery
Correct answer: Advanced
Advanced represents the highest performance level on the NM-MSSA and corresponds to the highest scale score range.
Question 5: A school reports that 45% of its students scored at 'Proficient or Above' in ELA. What does this combined category represent?
- Students at Approaching and above
- Students at Proficient and Advanced combined (Correct answer)
- Students at Beginning and Approaching
- Students who passed the state minimum
Correct answer: Students at Proficient and Advanced combined
'Proficient or Above' combines the Proficient and Advanced levels to show the percentage meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
Question 6: On NM-MSSA score reports, performance level descriptors (PLDs) are used primarily to:
- Rank students against each other within a classroom
- Describe what students know and can do at each level (Correct answer)
- Assign letter grades for report cards
- Determine teacher salary adjustments
Correct answer: Describe what students know and can do at each level
PLDs explain the specific knowledge and skills students demonstrate at each performance level to help educators and families understand results.
Question 7: Which statement best describes a student at the 'Beginning' performance level on NM-MSSA?
- The student exceeds grade-level expectations in most areas
- The student demonstrates partial understanding of grade-level content
- The student shows minimal command of grade-level knowledge and skills (Correct answer)
- The student performs just below the Proficient cut score
Correct answer: The student shows minimal command of grade-level knowledge and skills
Beginning is the lowest level, indicating the student shows minimal command of grade-level knowledge and skills and needs intensive support.
NM-MSSA Performance Levels 2
On the NM-MSSA, which performance level indicates a student is on track to meet grade-level expectations without additional support?