Map of Selected Item Descriptions on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Geography Scale for Grade 8

This map describes the knowledge or skill associated with answering individual geography questions. The map identifies the score point at which students had a high probability of successfully answering the question.

Figure 6.2, The NAEP 2001 Geography Report Card.
NOTE: Regular type denotes a constructed-response question. Italic type denotes a multiple-choice question.
* Each grade 8 geography question in the 2001 assessment was mapped onto the NAEP 0–500 geography scale. The position of the question on the scale represents the scale score attained by students who had a 65 percent probability of successfully answering a constructed-response question, or a 74 percent probability of correctly answering a four-option multiple-choice question. Only selected questions are presented. Scale score ranges for geography achievement levels are referenced on the map. For constructed-response questions, the question description represents students' performance at the scoring criteria level being mapped.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2001 Geography Assessment.

To interpret the item map, consider, for example, the multiple-choice question that maps at a scale of 278 for grade 8. This question concerns a comparison of states using rainfall and growing season maps. Mapping the question at the 278 scale score indicates that at least 74 percent of the students performing at this point answered the question correctly. Among students with lower scores, less than 74 percent answered this question correctly.

View the item maps for grade 4 and grade 12.

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Last updated 7 June 2002 (DSS)