WVGSA Performance Levels & Reporting 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On the WVGSA, which subject areas are assessed at the elementary and middle school levels?
- Only ELA
- Only Mathematics
- ELA and Mathematics (Correct answer)
- ELA, Mathematics, and Foreign Language
Correct answer: ELA and Mathematics
The WVGSA assesses English Language Arts and Mathematics at the elementary and middle school grades tested.
Question 2: At which grade levels is the WVGSA administered for English Language Arts and Mathematics?
- Grades K–5
- Grades 3–8 (Correct answer)
- Grades 6–12
- Grades 1–10
Correct answer: Grades 3–8
ESSA mandates annual ELA and Math testing in grades 3 through 8, which the WVGSA fulfills in West Virginia.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a scale score on a WVGSA score report?
- To rank students against each other within a classroom
- To provide a consistent numerical score across different test forms and years (Correct answer)
- To measure a student's growth from kindergarten only
- To calculate a student's GPA
Correct answer: To provide a consistent numerical score across different test forms and years
Scale scores allow for consistent comparison of student performance across different test forms and across years.
Question 4: Which WVGSA performance level is considered to represent proficiency, meeting the state's grade-level expectations?
- Novice
- Partial Mastery
- Mastery (Correct answer)
- Distinguished
Correct answer: Mastery
Mastery is considered the proficient level on the WVGSA, indicating a student meets grade-level standards.
Question 5: How are WVGSA results used at the school accountability level in West Virginia?
- They are used only for student graduation decisions
- They contribute to school report card ratings and federal accountability calculations (Correct answer)
- They are used exclusively for teacher pay raises
- They are only shared within individual classrooms
Correct answer: They contribute to school report card ratings and federal accountability calculations
WVGSA results feed into West Virginia's school accountability system and public report cards required under ESSA.
Question 6: A parent receives a WVGSA score report showing their child scored in the 'Partial Mastery' level in Mathematics. This means the child:
- Has mastered all grade-level math standards
- Has demonstrated some but not full command of grade-level math content (Correct answer)
- Needs to repeat the current grade
- Is exempt from future math assessments
Correct answer: Has demonstrated some but not full command of grade-level math content
Partial Mastery indicates the student shows some understanding but has not fully met the grade-level math standards.
Question 7: Which entity is responsible for setting the cut scores that define each WVGSA performance level?
- Individual school principals
- The West Virginia Board of Education (Correct answer)
- The federal Department of Education
- Local county superintendents
Correct answer: The West Virginia Board of Education
The West Virginia Board of Education approves the cut scores that determine the boundaries between performance levels.
WVGSA Performance Levels & Reporting 3
On the WVGSA, which subject areas are assessed at the elementary and middle school levels?