Now You Know

Now You Know

» What is the meaning of the PERFORMANCE LEVELS on state-mandated assessments?

By Dr. Jeanene Barnett, CCOSA Education Policy & Research Analyst

In 2017, Oklahoma changed the names of the performance levels in the Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP) and aligned state assessments with national assessments (i.e. ACT, SAT, and the National Assessment for Educational Progress, or NAEP) that help define if a student is college and career ready. These new performance levels, spelled out in state law ( 70 O.S. § 1210.541 ), are Advanced, Proficient, Basic, and Below Basic. Generally, performance level descriptors are used to describe the knowledge and skills expected of students on standardized tests at different achievement levels. On the next page is Oklahoma’s framework of how performance levels are defined with language directly from state law in quotation marks, followed by bullets with brief additional descriptions.

» ADVANCED » PROFICIENT » BASIC

ADVANCED “which shall indicate that students demonstrate superior performance on challenging subject matter”:

■ Students at the “Advanced” level typically demonstrate a broad and in-depth understanding of challenging subject matter and can apply complex skills.

■ They may show a high level of critical thinking, problemsolving, and analytical skills.

PROFICIENT “which shall indicate that students demonstrate mastery over challenging gradelevel subject matter, can analyze and apply such knowledge to realworld situations, that students are ready for the next grade, course, or level of education and that students are on track to be ready for college or career”:

■ Students categorized as “Proficient” demonstrate mastery over appropriate grade-level subject matter of their grade-level subject-area standards.

■ They have a solid understanding of the content and can apply it effectively.

■ Proficient students are usually considered on track for success at the next grade level.

BASIC “which shall indicate that students demonstrate partial mastery of the essential knowledge and skills that are foundational for proficient work at their grade level or course and that students are not on track to be ready for college or career”:

■ Students at the “Basic” level demonstrate a partial understanding of the material but may struggle with more complex concepts.

■ They have a foundational grasp of the content but may need additional support to reach proficiency.

» BELOW BASIC

BELOW BASIC “which shall indicate that students have not performed at least at the basic level”:

■ This level may indicate that students have a limited grasp of the required knowledge and skills.

Based on these performance levels, specific performance level descriptors (PLDs), which vary depending on the subject and grade level being assessed, were developed by Oklahoma teachers. The PLDs were designed to provide a clear picture of how well students are meeting academic expectations. Additionally, performance level descriptors, if used with full understanding and fidelity, can help educators, families, and policymakers understand the strengths and weaknesses of the education system, identify areas for improvement, and tailor interventions to support student success.

For the most current information regarding performance level descriptors for the Oklahoma School Testing Program, educators should consult the official guidelines and resources provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Since Oklahoma aligned their performance levels with NAEP and Oklahoma student performance on NAEP is often used by policymakers to discuss Oklahoma school quality, it is important to note that NAEP tests only a portion of students at various (not all) schools across the state, using an assessment method called random sampling. Therefore, when Oklahoma NAEP performance is discussed, it is based on this small sample of students. In a Brookings article, Tom Loveless also points out, “NAEP does not report the percentage of students performing at grade level. NAEP reports the percentage of students reaching a ‘proficient’ level of performance. Here’s the problem. That’s not grade level.”

More recently, Peter Greene wrote regarding this misunderstanding about the definition of ‘proficient’ in Forbes: “The National Center for Education Statistics operates the NAEP, and they are aware there’s

an issue. On their website, the language is quite clear. After noting that NAEP Proficient means that the students “demonstrate solid academic performance and competency over challenging subject matter,” the website says: “It should be noted that the NAEP Proficient achievement level does not represent grade-level proficiency as determined by other assessment standards (e.g., state or district assessments).”

» Calendar Alert

The state testing window for this school year is just weeks away. It is important that you work with your school community and families to help them develop a full understanding of Oklahoma’s performance level definitions so they can use student and school information responsibly. ■