NAEP Technical DocumentationField Staff Training

The field staff training program is designed to provide the staff with a complete understanding of NAEP requirements and their responsibilities. The training program includes multiple components, such as

• home study and quizzes,
• in-person and distance training,
• review of comprehensive field manuals, and
• in-field observation and retraining as necessary.

Field Supervisors, Assessment Coordinators, and Assessment Administrators are trained to conduct digitally based and paper based assessments. The staff members receive training on the general topics discussed below. More information about their specific training is located at the bottom of this section.

The general topics covered in most training programs include the following:

• overview of NAEP;
• field staff's role in NAEP and the NAEP Code of Ethics;
• attitude and personal conduct in the school setting;
• security of assessment materials and confidentiality issues;
• preparation for the assessment, including procedures for conducting preassessment contacts;
• forms, equipment, and materials used in the various assessments;
• procedures for conducting sessions using standardized scripts;
• classroom management techniques and rules for supervising sessions; and
• postassessment activities, such as coding session booklets (in both digital and hard copy formats) and completing administrative tasks.

Specific training for Field Managers includes

• coordinating all NAEP activities with NAEP State Coordinators;
• participating in recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising field staff; and
• managing all field activities.

Specific training for Field Supervisors includes

• securing participation of nonpublic (private) schools;
• working with NAEP State Coordinators in their efforts to recruit public schools;
• selecting student samples, unless this is done by NAEP centrally;
• monitoring preassessment activity;
• supervising assessment teams; and
• conducting quality control field visits.

Specific training for Assessment Coordinators includes

• assisting Field Supervisors with sampling activities;
• conducting preassessment activities;
• coordinating the work of a team of Assessment Administrators;
• monitoring the sessions and evaluating the work of their assessment team;
• scheduling makeup sessions, if necessary;
• debriefing the School Coordinator;
• collecting questionnaires and forms;
• shipping assessment materials;
• reporting on assessment activities to their Field Supervisor; and
• transmitting assessment materials and data for processing and scoring.

Specific training for Assessment Administrators includes

• preparing materials for paper based assessments;
• conducting the sessions;
• accounting for all equipment and materials used;
• record-keeping and completing forms;
• preparing materials for return to the NAEP processing and scoring center;
• conducting makeup sessions, if necessary; and
• assisting the Assessment Coordinator with other assessment-related tasks.

Assessment Coordinator and Assessment Administrator training on shared tasks includes

• preparing rooms for testing, including configuring the rooms to a layout suited for digitally based assessment;
• setting up and preparing testing materials and equipment;
• troubleshooting and documenting technical errors that may occur during assessments; and
• ending assessments, packing up equipment, and transmitting assessment data for processing and scoring.

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