NAEP and PSAT Last updated: 08/20/09

Big Picture Objectives NAEP and PSAT Big Picture Objectives Understand NAEP and how to use NAEP data to view Oregon assessment results in a broader national and international context. Understand the PSAT and how to provide testing opportunities to students.

Definition and Purpose NAEP and PSAT Definition and Purpose NAEP Definition: National Assessment of Educational Progress - nationally representative, ongoing assessments in multiple subject areas. NAEP Purpose: NAEP is used by policy makers to compare student achievement among states and over time. NAEP will also appear on district report cards and will be used more and more at the federal level to evaluate the achievement gap.

Definition and Purpose (cont) NAEP and PSAT Definition and Purpose (cont) PSAT Definition and Purpose: The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT to high school Sophomores and Juniors. In Oregon the PSAT is offered to all high school sophomores free of charge.

Dos and Don’ts NAEP – Dos NAEP and PSAT Dos and Don’ts NAEP – Dos Decide how the district will support selected schools to meet NAEP requirements such as submission of School Data Collection Forms, verification of student demographic data, and parent/guardian notification Communicate with our state NAEP coordinator if you have questions or concerns regarding NAEP: Beth LaDuca, NAEP State Coordinator (503) 947-5836 or Beth.LaDuca@state.or.us

NAEP Promising Practices NAEP and PSAT NAEP Promising Practices Educate district and school staff about the importance of NAEP and the relevance of Oregon’s NAEP results Talk with parents regarding how NAEP results can help the nation improve student achievement Participate in ODE sessions to better prepare teachers and students to demonstrate their knowledge on NAEP. These sessions will be piloted this winter and will be operational in 2010-11

NAEP and PSAT Dos and Don’ts (cont) PSAT – Do’s All 10th graders must be given the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT®. (FYI: Many scholarships only accept PSAT scores from Juniors) A one year waiver may be requested if the district administers a similar test (ACT) Contact college board with any questions PSAT – Don’ts Students should not be forced to take the PSAT. It is an option that should be made available to all, but it should not be required.

NAEP In a Nutshell NAEP and PSAT NAEP results show whether Oregon’s student groups perform better or worse than the same groups nationally and in other states. This information can be used to target areas in need of improvement. NAEP is short (90 minutes total for students) and is administered by NAEP field staff, not school personnel. NAEP provides appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities and for English Language Learners. NAEP 2010 will assess civics, geography, and U.S. history at grades 4, 8, and 12. A small number of students will participate in pilot tests for writing at grade 4 and math at grades 4 and 8.

NAEP and PSAT PSAT In a Nutshell Testing dates are 10/14 and 10/17 (schools can only test on one date either the 14th or the 17th) Districts will work with the College Board to order tests as they have in the past

Acorns for Storage How can NAEP help Oregon students? NAEP and PSAT Acorns for Storage How can NAEP help Oregon students? How can we increase Oregon educator’s knowledge regarding the utility of NAEP? How do students benefit from exposure to the PSAT?