Developing NAEP Frameworks: A Look Inside the Process Mary Crovo Deputy Executive Director National Assessment Governing Board November 17, 2007

NAEP Frameworks: Governing Board Responsibilities in Current NAEP Legislation  select the subject areas to be assessed  develop assessment objectives and test specifications that produce an assessment that is valid and reliable, and are based on relevant widely accepted professional standards  develop a process for review of the assessment which includes the active participation of teachers, curriculum specialists, local school administrators, parents, and concerned members of the public (P.L )

Governing Board Policy: Framework Development  WHAT - comprehensive, inclusive, and deliberative process to determine the content and format of NAEP subject area assessments  WHO - educators, testing experts, state and local policymakers, researchers, business representatives, military representatives, members of the public; key “users and consumers” in the subject area  HOW – Steering and Planning Committees; broad- based input and review from NAEP stakeholders; input and guidance from ADC and the Board

Procurement Contract Award Planning Document & Committee Composition Framework & Specifications Development Framework and Specifications Development Board Action Framework & Specs to NCES Board Input Overview of the NAEP Framework Process Framework Review Process Overview of the NAEP Framework Process

NAEP Framework Components WHAT  Content areas and objectives for each NAEP grade  Process or cognitive dimension HOW  Types of test questions  Distributions  by content area  by cognitive dimension  by item type  Administration procedures, delivery mode  Sample test questions HOW MUCH  Sample scoring rubrics  Preliminary achievement level descriptions

NAEP Specifications  Audience  NCES and NAEP assessment development contractors  Purpose  to provide a detailed blueprint for constructing the assessment  Framework and Specifications are both public documents

Developing the Framework & Specifications  Charge to the project Steering Committee  Issues Paper  Committee meetings  Consideration of research and key documents  Drafting of Framework and Specifications  Ongoing ADC and Board review, input, guidance

Framework Process Balances Consideration of: Research and Best Practice  Research on student learning, cognitive development and assessment  Current instructional and measurement issues  Curricular reform efforts Standards and Assessments  State standards and assessments  International standards and assessments (e.g., PIRLS, PISA, TIMSS)  Professional association standards (e.g., national content standards)

Framework Review Process  Framework reviews in diverse venues across the U.S.  External review panel  Board action on Framework and Specifications  Framework & Specifications sent to NCES for assessment development  Framework dissemination strategies

Framework Process Balances Consideration of (continued) Other considerations  Key documents having national or international significance  Preparedness reports and research (grade 12)  Previous NAEP Frameworks  Following vs. leading the field (given 5-6 year NAEP development cycle)  Assessment content  Assessment format/delivery  Resources

Lessons Learned Participants  Committee membership – cast a wide net  Framework review – use broad outreach with diverse venues and audiences  Often 1,000+ individuals involved per Framework Process  Project timeline – 18+ months  Scope of the project, focus on:  What NAEP can do well  What NAEP is not designed to do  Realities, constraints, and timing  Resolving difficult issues – trust the process  iterative, not linear

New Challenges in NAEP Framework Process  Assessing 12 th grade preparedness  Considering the role of technology  Maintaining trend lines  Increasing framework dissemination  Funding for new frameworks

NAEP Related Resources For further information regarding the Framework process, policies, and publications, visit these websites:    00_2001/framework.asp 00_2001/framework.asp  