NAEP Technical Documentation Distribution of Materials for the 2017 Assessment

The materials distribution staff ordered, packaged, and distributed session and bulk materials to the data collection administrators for the paper based assessment (PBA) and provided bulk materials and student log-in cards for the digitally based assesment (DBA) data collection administrators.

Student booklets are identified with a unique identification number through bar code technology. Once barcoded, the student booklets for the PBA sessions are bundled for distribution based on the spiraling design provided by the ID contractor. Each spiral or session is based on the grade, subjects, and sample size. The number of bundles to create is based on the estimated number of sessions provided by the data collection contractor. Each bundle contains a header sheet with a barcode which identifies the bundle number. The barcode on the header sheet and student booklets are scanned. The bundle(s) is assigned to a school and session. This information is provided to the data collection contractor. Sessions are identified by a 2-digit alpha character and 2-digit numeric grade given at each grade, i.e., PA01, PB01. The school and session IDs are located on the outside of the session box, to assist the data collection administrator to identify they have the correct materials.

Virtual barcodes are created for the DBA sessions based on a spiraling design provided by the ID contractor. The number of barcodes needed is based on the estimated number of sessions and students in each session provided by the data collection contractor. The data collection contractor provides the materials distribution staff with the schools and sessions testing. Barcodes are assigned to the sessions and the information is sent back to the data collection contractor and loaded into the preassessment visit system. The barcodes assigned to the students are printed on a student log-in card and sent to the data collection administrators.

Using the spiraling design, staff grouped subject-specific ancillary items into bundles that were appropriately sized for distribution for the PBA sessions and DBA bulk materials.

The PBA session and bulk materials are shipped three weeks before administration to allow for the data collection staff to review the materials and order additional materials if needed.

Additional student booklets and accommodation booklets are ordered via the data collection's preassessment visit system. A daily file is sent to the materials distribution staff. Miscellaneous bulk materials such as subject ancillaries, calculators, and timers, are requested via the materials distribution staff's additional orders online system. The materials distribution staff's online materials tracking system provide the data collection administrator with

• the date that materials are shipped,
• tracking numbers assigned to their shipments,
• the date to expect their shipments, and
• a place to record the date the materials arrived.

The online materials tracking system is also used to record when the materials are sent back and when they arrive at the materials distribution contractor's processing center.

Number of sessions distributed, by session type and grade: 2017

​Grade	Session type (subjects)	Number of sessions distributed
​4	PA04 - paper based (reading operational, mathematics operational, mathematics - KaSa) - public schools	7,230
	PB04 - paper based (reading operational, mathematics operational) - private schools	240
	PP04 - paper based Puerto Rico (mathematics - KaSA) - public schools	180​
	DA04 - digitally based (reading pilot, mathematics pilot, writing operational, mathematics - MST, mathematics KaSa) - public schools	1,540​
	DB04 - digitally based (reading pilot, mathematics pilot, writing operationsl, mathematics - MST) - private schools	300​
	DS04 - digitally based (reading operational, mathematics operational) - public and private schools	8,030​
	DP04 - digitally based Puerto Rico (mathematics - Kasa) - public schools	180​
​8	PA08 - paper based (reading operational, mathematics operational, mathematics - KaSa) - public schools	6,400
	PB08 - paper based (reading operational, mathematics operational) - private schools	240
	PP08 - paper based Puerto Rico (mathematics - KaSA) - public schools	150
	DA08 - digitally based (reading pilot, mathematics pilot, writing operational, mathematics - MST, mathematics KaSa, U.S. history pilot, civics pilot, geography pilot) - public schools	2,010​
	​DB08 - digitally based (reading pilot, mathematics pilot, writing operational, mathematics - MST, U.S. history pilot, civics pilot, geography pilot) - private schools	390​
	​​DS08 - digitally based (reading operational, mathematics operational) - public and private schools	7,550​
	DP04 - digitally based Puerto Rico (mathematics - Kasa) - public schools	150​
	LW08 - digitally based (writing) - public schools	​
​ NOTE: Session counts are rounded. KaSA mathematics refers to special sections of mathematics questions administered in Puerto Rico and the nation that more precisely and reliably measured the full range of mathematical abilities. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2017 Assessment.

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