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NAEP Analysis and Scaling → Estimation of NAEP Score Scales → NAEP Assessment IRT Parameters → Science Assessment IRT Parameters

NAEP Technical DocumentationScience Assessment IRT Parameters

The table provided below contains links to Item Response Theory (IRT) parameters for NAEP science items that were scaled, as well as the block in which each item appears for each grade (Block) and the position of each item within its block (Item). Note that these item parameters are provided in the metrics used for the original calibration of the scales and thus are on a provisional scale.

Links to science item response theory (IRT) parameters tables, by scale, year, and assessment: Various years, 2000–2015
Year	Assessment	Earth and space sciences scale	Physical science scale	Life science scale	Univariate science scale
2015	Combined national and state assessments grade 4	R3	R3	R3	R3
	Combined national and state assessments grade 8	R3	R3	R3	R3
	Combined national and state assessments grade 12	R3	R3	R3	R3
2011	Combined national and state assessments grade 8	R3	R3	R3	R3
2009	Combined national and state assessments grade 4	R3	R3	R3	R3
	Combined national and state assessments grade 8	R3	R3	R3	R3
	Combined national and state assessments grade 12	R3	R3	R3	R3
2005	Combined national and state assessments grade 4	R3	R3	R3	†
	Combined national and state assessments grade 8	R3	R3	R3	†
	National assessment grade 12	R3	R3	R3	†
2000	National assessment grade 4	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	†
	State assessment grade 4	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	†
	National assessment grade 8	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	†
	State assessment grade 8	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	†
	National assessment grade 12	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	R3 / R2	†
† Not applicable. There was no univariate science scale in 2000 or 2005. NOTE: R2 is the non-accommodated reporting sample; R3 is the accommodated reporting sample. If sampled students are classified as students with disabilities (SD) or English learners (EL), and school officials, using NAEP guidelines, determine that they can meaningfully participate in the NAEP assessment with accommodation, those students are included in the NAEP assessment with accommodation along with other sampled students including SD/EL students who do not need accommodations. The R3 sample is more inclusive than the R2 sample type and excludes a smaller proportion of sampled students. The R3 sample is the only reporting sample used in NAEP after 2001. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), various years, 2000–2015 Science Assessments.

Last updated 17 November 2021 (ML)

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