RES Fourth Graders Taking NAEP Assessment

We are pleased to tell you that Richmond Elementary School has been selected to represent schools across our state and the nation by participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  NAEP is given by the National Center for Education Statistics within the U.S. Department of Education and tells us what our nation’s students know and can do in key subject areas.  It is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment and has been providing valid and reliable data on student performance since 1969.

The results of NAEP are published in a report called The Nation’s Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.

In our school, the NAEP assessment will be given on January 28, 2013 in mathematics or reading to all fourth grade students.   In addition to subject area questions, students will be asked some questions about themselves and their educational experience.  You can access student and sample assessment questions at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/parents/.

It will take about 90 minutes for most students to complete NAEP.  The results are completely confidential (in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347), and your child’s grades will not be affected.  Students may be excused from participation for any reason, is not required to finish the assessment, and may skip any test question.  While NAEP is voluntary, we depend on student participation to provide an accurate measure of student achievement that will inform improvements in education.  If you do not want your child to participate, please notify me in writing by December 7, 2012.

There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP.  We do ask parents to encourage their children to do their best and to have them get plenty of rest the night before the assessment.

If you would like to have additional information about NAEP, please visit http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard. If you have questions or would like to review a booklet that includes sample subject area and student questions, please contact me at (802) 434-2461 or via e-mail at Michael.Berry@cesu.k12.vt.us.

We are excited that our school will be participating in NAEP.  We know that RES’s students will help us show what Vermont’s students know and can do.

Sincerely,

Michael Berry,