The NAEP Background Questionnaires

In addition to testing cognitive abilities, NAEP collects information that helps to put student achievement in context. Four kinds of questionnaires provide context for NAEP assessment results:

• student questionnaires, which examine background characteristics, subject area experience, and motivation on the assessment;
• teacher questionnaires, which gather data on teacher background and training, as well as classroom-by-classroom information;
• school questionnaires, which ask principals about school size and other characteristics; and
• SD/LEP questionnaires (for students with disabilities or limited English proficiency), which ask the person most familiar with the student about accommodations normally permitted.

These questionnaires are developed using a framework and process similar to that used for developing the cognitive questions. This process includes reviews by external advisory groups and pilot testing. When developing the questionnaires, NAEP ensures that the questions do not infringe on respondents' privacy, that they are grounded in educational research, and that the answers can provide information relevant to the subject being assessed.

Students complete the background questionnaires voluntarily, and their responses are kept confidential. Students' names are never associated with their responses or the other information collected by NAEP.

The questionnaires may appear in separately timed blocks of questions in the assessment booklets, in the case of the student questionnaires, or they may be printed separately, as in the case of the teacher, school, and SD/LEP questionnaires.

To download NAEP background questionnaires, go to Background Questionnaires.

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Last updated 15 December 2003 (CC)