The process of developing achievement levels involves the judgments of informed, well-qualified people from throughout the nation and its territories. Approximately 20 persons served on each of three grade-level panels to develop NAEP civics achievement levels. These 60 people included teachers (about 55 percent), other educators (about 15 percent), and members of the general public (about 30 percent). To the extent possible, the panels were proportionally representative of the nation's population with respect to region, race/ethnicity, and gender.
The panels for civics were convened in August 1992, and the National Assessment Governing Board set the civics NAEP achievement levels in May 1993. The achievement levels set for the civics assessment were used in reporting results for the 1992 assessment and subsequent assessments. They will be used until the Governing Board determines that a new framework is needed to guide the development of the assessment. At that time, new achievement levels may be developed and set. The Board's complete report on achievement levels for civics includes descriptions of achievement levels and cutscores, sample items illustrating achievement levels, and performance data.
NOTE: At this time, these achievement levels are used on a trial basis.