Computer-delivered National Assessment of Educational Progress (eNAEP) Pretesting Study 2016

NCES Cognitive, Pilot, and Field Test Studies System

Volume II - eNAEP Pretest Study 2016 Protocol & Questionnaires

Computer-delivered National Assessment of Educational Progress (eNAEP) Pretesting Study 2016

OMB: 1850-0803

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NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS
NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

Volume II
Protocols, Student Debriefing Questions, and
Survey Questionnaires

eNAEP Pretesting Study

PAPERWORK BURDEN STATEMENT
The Paperwork Reduction Act and the NCES confidentiality statement are indicated below. Appropriate sections
of this information are included in the consent forms and letters. The statements will be included in the materials
used in the study.
Paperwork Burden Statement, OMB Information
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of
information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
voluntary information collection is 1850-0803. The time required to complete this information collection is
estimated to average 90 minutes including the time to review instructions and complete and review the
information collection. If you have suggestions for improving this collection or any comments or concerns
regarding the accuracy of the time estimate or the status of your individual submission of this form, please write
to: National Assessment of Educational Progress, National Center for Education Statistics, Potomac Center Plaza
(PCP), 550 12th St., SW, 4th floor, Washington, DC 20202.
This is a project of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the Institute of Education Sciences,
within the U.S. Department of Education.
Your answers may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for
any other purpose except as required by law [Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, 20 U.S.C §9573]. OMB No.
1850-0803.

SESSION 2 INTRODUCTION TO THE ASSESSMENT
For session 2 (in which the goal is to push the eNAEP system to its limits), the administrators will provide
additional instructions to the students:
For this part of the study, we would like you to take your time exploring the system and interacting with the
questions and system tools in different ways. While we would like you to provide answers to questions, we would
like you to focus mainly on using the system tools and responding to the questions in a different way than you did
during the first session. Any response is acceptable for the questions as we really want you to experiment with how
you can respond to questions and move from question to question. Have a little fun with things and explore the
system!
Please take the assessment in this way until your time is up.

STUDENT DEBRIEFING QUESTIONS
After all students have finished the assessment in each session, field staff will conduct a debriefing activity with
the students. Field staff will ask the debriefing questions out loud to the group of students. The questions may be
paraphrased, and additional follow-up questions, such as those indicated in the bulleted lists below, may be
asked. Students will respond by raising their hands and by calling out responses, as appropriate. Field staff will use
their discretion about whether some or all of the questions will be asked, depending on the amount of prompting
the students require, and on the amount of time remaining. The debriefing session should not exceed 10 minutes.
Field staff will write down the students’ responses to the questions.
1. What did you like the most about the assessment?
[Follow-up questions may include:]
 Can you explain that more?
 What did you like the least about the assessment?

4.
5.

 What was missing from the assessment?
 If you had to take a test, would you rather take it on a tablet, or on paper?
Did you see anything you thought was strange while taking the assessment?
[Follow-up questions may include:]
 Can you explain that more?
 Did questions or images seem slow to load at all to you?
 Was the system slow to move from one page/question to the next at all?
 Did you notice any “Aw, snap” errors?
 Were you able to make these errors occur when you wanted to? How?
Did you find the system easy to use and/or learn to use?
[Follow-up questions may include:]
 How did you like the tutorial?
 Were the Help screens useful?
 What did you think of the tools available? Did you use them?
 Which tool or tools did you like the most? Why?
 How did you find the stylus worked with the assessment?
 Did you have any difficulty picking an answer using the available controls? If so, what made it
difficult?
Is there anything you think would make the assessment better? If so, what?
Is there anything else you want to tell us about kids taking assessments on tablets?

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES
As part of the assessment administration in both sessions 1 and 2, students will take a set of survey questionnaire
items. These items were previously administered as part of other NAEP assessments or testing. Given the final
items for 2017 NAEP administrations (and, thus this eNAEP pretesting study) have not yet been determined, we
have included a library of previously administered components from which the 2017 items will be selected. The
table below indicates the 19 assessment components that form this library. Following the table are the 19
components of survey questionnaire items. Not all of the items presented will be administered in 2017 or in this
eNAEP pretesting study. The number of items administered to each student will be appropriate to the 15 minutes
allocated. As the items are finalized throughout the development process, the final sub-set will be included in the
eNAEP system for pretesting. As such, the earlier builds may include different items from the library than the final
build.

Grade/Subject

Part

Source of Survey Questionnaire

Grade 4 Core

II-a

2015 Operational Grade 4 Core

Grade 4 Core

II-b

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core

Grade 8 Core

II-c

2015 Operational Grade 8 Core

Grade 8 Core

II-d

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core

Grade 4 Reading

II-e

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading

Grade 8 Reading

II-f

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading

Grade 8 Reading

II-g

2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 Reading

Grade 4 Mathematics

II-h

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics

Grade 8 Mathematics

II-i

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics

Grade 8 Mathematics

II-j

2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 Mathematics

Grade 4 Writing

II-k

2012 Pilot Grade 4 Writing

Grade 8 Writing

II-l

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing

Grade 8 Civics

II-m

2014 Operational Grade 8 Civics

Grade 8 Civics

II-n

2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 Civics

Grade 8 Geography

II-o

2014 Operational Grade 8 Geography

Grade 8 Geography

II-p

2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 Geography

Grade 8 U.S. History

II-q

2014 Operational Grade 8 U.S. History

Grade 8 U.S. History

II-r

2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 U.S. History

Grade 4 & 8 KaSA

II-s

2015 Operational Grade 4 & 8 KaSA

Part II-a: 2015 Operational Grade 4 Core

P
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SECTION

4
2
1
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7
4
2
1

Section

In this section, please tell us about yourself and your family. Please answer questions about
your home based on where you live most of the time during the school year. The section has
11 questions. Mark your answers in your booklet. Fill in only one oval for each question
except where instructed otherwise.
VB331330

1. Are you Hispanic or Latino? Fill in one
or more ovals.

VB331331

2. Which of the following best describes
you? Fill in one or more ovals.

A No, I am not Hispanic or Latino.

A White

B Yes, I am Mexican, Mexican

B Black or African American

American, or Chicano.

C Yes, I am Puerto Rican or Puerto
Rican American.

D Yes, I am Cuban or Cuban
American.

C Asian
D American Indian or Alaska Native
E Native Hawaiian or other Pacific
Islander

E Yes, I am from some other

Hispanic or Latino background.

P
7
4
2
1
P

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4
J1D1

2
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GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

Section

7
4

VB331335

3. About how many books are there in
your home?

A Few (0–10)
B Enough to fill one shelf (11–25)
C Enough to fill one bookcase (26–100)
D Enough to fill several bookcases
(more than 100)

|
|
|

TB001101
TB001101

6. About how many pages a day do you
6. About how many pages a day do you
have to read in school and for
have to read in school and for
homework?
homework?

2
1
P
7
4

2
1

A 5 or fewer
5 or fewer

B 6–10
6–10

C 11–15
11–15

D 16–20
16–20

E More than 20
VB331336

4. Is there a computer at home that
you use?

More than 20

VB331339
VB331339

7. How often do you talk about things you
7. How often do you talk about things you
have studied in school with someone in
have studied in school with someone in
your family?
your family?

A Yes
B No

A Never or hardly ever
Never or hardly ever

VF098664

5. Do you have the following in your
home? Fill in ovals for all that apply.

B Once every few weeks
Once every few weeks

C About once a week
About once a week

A Access to the Internet

D Two or three times a week

B Clothes dryer just for your family

E Every day

Two or three times a week
Every day

C Dishwasher
D More than one bathroom
E Your own bedroom

VB331447
VB331447

8. How many days were you absent from
8. How many days were you absent from
school in the last month?
school in the last month?

A None
None

B 1 or 2 days
1 or 2 days

C 3 or 4 days
3 or 4 days

D 5 to 10 days
5 to 10 days

E More than 10 days
More than 10 days

P
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Page 2

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

2
1

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3

P
7

Section

4
2
1

|
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P
7
4
2
1

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VB331451
VB331451

9. How often do people in your home talk
9. How often do people in your home talk
to each other in a language other than
to each other in a language other than
English?
English?

VE102537

11. Write the ZIP code of your home address
in the boxes.

A
A Never
Never
B
in a while
B Once
Once in a while
C
half of the time
C About
About half of the time
D
or most of the time
D All
All or most of the time
VF095730
VF095730

10. Do the following people live in your
10. Do the following people live in your
home? Fill in ovals for all that apply.
home? Fill in ovals for all that apply.

A Mother
A
Mother
B Stepmother
B
Stepmother
C Foster mother or other female legal
C
Foster mother or other female legal
guardian
guardian

D Father
D
Father
E Stepfather
E
Stepfather
F Foster father or other male legal
F
Foster father or other male legal
guardian
guardian

P
7
4
2
1

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7
4
2
1

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J1D1
J1D1

Page 3

STOP

Part II-b: 2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH240387

1. Are you Hispanic or Latino? Select one or more answer choices.
A No, I am not Hispanic or Latino.
B Yes, I am Mexican, Mexican American, or Chicano.
C Yes, I am Puerto Rican or Puerto Rican American.
D Yes, I am Cuban or Cuban American.
E Yes, I am from some other Hispanic or Latino background.

VH240388

2. Which of the following best describes you? Select one or more answer choices.
A White
B Black or African American
C Asian
D American Indian or Alaska Native
E Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

VH240186

3. About how many books are there in your home?
A Few (0–10)
B Enough to fill one shelf (11–25)
C Enough to fill one bookcase (26–100)
D Enough to fill several bookcases (more than 100)

11/10/2015
6

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH271104

4. Do you have any of the following in your home? Select one answer choice on each row.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Access to the Internet
Clothes dryer just for your family
Dishwasher
More than one bathroom with a bathtub or
shower
Your own bedroom
A desktop or laptop computer that you can
use
A tablet (for example, Surface Pro, iPad,
Kindle Fire) that you can use
A smartphone (for example, iPhone,
Samsung Galaxy, HTC One) that you can
use

Yes

VH271105

VH336756

VH336759

VH336760

VH336762

VH271108

VH271110

VH271112

VH336764

5. In this school year, about how many pages a day do you have to read in school and
for homework?
A 5 or fewer
B 6–10
C 11–15
D 16–20
E More than 20

VH240190

6. How many days were you absent from school in the last month?
A None
B 1 or 2 days
C 3 or 4 days
D 5 to 10 days
E More than 10 days

11/10/2015
7

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH240192

7. How far in school did your mother go?
A She did not finish high school.
B She graduated from high school.
C She had some education after high school.
D She graduated from college.
E I don’t know.

VH240193

8. How far in school did your father go?
A He did not finish high school.
B He graduated from high school.
C He had some education after high school.
D He graduated from college.
E I don’t know.

VH271144

9. Do any of the following people live in your home? Select one answer choice on each
row.

a. Mother
b. Stepmother
c. Foster mother or other female legal
guardian
d. Father
e. Stepfather
f. Foster father or other male legal guardian

Yes

VH271145

VH271146

VH271147

VH271148

VH271149

VH271150

VH254028

10. Write the ZIP code of your home address in the box.

11/10/2015
8

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH336776

11. Does your mother work?
A Yes
B No
C I don’t know.

VH336779

12. Does your father work?
A Yes
B No
C I don’t know.

VH336786

13. What does your mother do at work? (For example, She’s a lawyer; She teaches 1st
grade; She cooks in a restaurant; She does not work.) Use these lines to describe what
your mother does at work.

11/10/2015
9

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH336787

14. What does your father do at work? (For example, He’s a lawyer; He teaches 1st
grade; He cooks in a restaurant; He does not work.) Use these lines to describe what
your father does at work.

VH313225

15. What is your mother currently doing? Select all that apply.
A Works full-time
B Works part-time
C Takes care of the home and family
D Studies to get a degree at a college or university
E Other (Please specify): ___________________________________________________________
F I don’t know.

11/10/2015
10

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH313233

16. What is your father currently doing? Select all that apply.
A Works full-time
B Works part-time
C Takes care of the home and family
D Studies to get a degree at a college or university
E Other (Please specify): ___________________________________________________________
F I don’t know.

11/10/2015
11

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH336878

17. What does your mother do for work? Select the choice that most closely describes
what she does at work.
01 Accountant
\

22 Farmer
\

43 Religious worker
\

02 Artist
\

23 Firefighter
\

44 Repair technician
\

03 Athlete
\

24 Grounds worker
\

45 Salesperson
\

04 Carpenter
\

25 Health aide
\

46 Scientist
\

05 Cashier
\

26 Helper
\

47 Secretary
\

06 Cleaner
\

27 Housekeeper
\

48 Security guard
\

07 Clerk
\

28 Janitor
\

49 Server
\

08 College professor
\

29 Lawyer
\

50 Social worker
\

09 Construction worker
\

30 Librarian
\

51 Software developer
\

10 Cook
\

31 Manager
\

52 Stocker
\

11 Customer service
\

32 Marketing
\

53 Supervisor
\

12 Day care worker
\

33 Mechanic
\

54 Surgeon
\

13 Dental hygienist
\

34 Medical technician
\

55 Surveyor
\

14 Dentist
\

35 Military
\

56 Taxi driver
\

15 Designer
\

36 Miner
\

57 Teacher
\

16 Doctor
\

37 Nurse
\

58 Therapist
\

17 Education
\

38 Office support
\

59 Transportation
\

39 Painter
\

60 Truck driver
\

40 Pharmacist
\

61 Veterinarian
\

41 Police
\

62 Writer
\

42 Receptionist
\

63 Other (Please specify):
\

administrator
18 Electrician
\
19 Engineer
\
20 Executive
\
21 Factory worker
\

___________________

11/10/2015
12

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH336885

18. What does your father do for work? Select the choice that most closely describes
what he does at work.
01 Accountant
\

22 Farmer
\

43 Religious worker
\

02 Artist
\

23 Firefighter
\

44 Repair technician
\

03 Athlete
\

24 Grounds worker
\

45 Salesperson
\

04 Carpenter
\

25 Health aide
\

46 Scientist
\

05 Cashier
\

26 Helper
\

47 Secretary
\

06 Cleaner
\

27 Housekeeper
\

48 Security guard
\

07 Clerk
\

28 Janitor
\

49 Server
\

08 College professor
\

29 Lawyer
\

50 Social worker
\

09 Construction worker
\

30 Librarian
\

51 Software developer
\

10 Cook
\

31 Manager
\

52 Stocker
\

11 Customer service
\

32 Marketing
\

53 Supervisor
\

12 Day care worker
\

33 Mechanic
\

54 Surgeon
\

13 Dental hygienist
\

34 Medical technician
\

55 Surveyor
\

14 Dentist
\

35 Military
\

56 Taxi driver
\

15 Designer
\

36 Miner
\

57 Teacher
\

16 Doctor
\

37 Nurse
\

58 Therapist
\

17 Education
\

38 Office support
\

59 Transportation
\

39 Painter
\

60 Truck driver
\

40 Pharmacist
\

61 Veterinarian
\

41 Police
\

62 Writer
\

42 Receptionist
\

63 Other (Please specify):
\

administrator
18 Electrician
\
19 Engineer
\
20 Executive
\
21 Factory worker
\

___________________

11/10/2015
13

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH313238

19. Which of the following best describes where you are living?
A A single family home
B A townhouse
C An apartment
D A trailer or mobile home
E A community home or shelter
F Other (Please specify): ___________________________________________________________

VH271259

20. How often do the following things happen at home? Select one answer choice on each
row.

a. People at home ask
what I am learning in
school.
b. I talk about things I
have studied in school
with someone in my
family.
c. People at home make
sure that I make time
for my homework.
d. People at home check
if I do my homework.

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH271260

VH271261

VH271262

VH271263

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

11/10/2015
14

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH271273

21. In your school, are there laptop computers that you can use?
A No
B Yes, but I cannot take one home with me.
C Yes, and I can take one home with me.

VH271274

22. In this school year, how often did you use a laptop or desktop computer during
your classes at school?
A Never
B In some classes
C In about half of the classes
D In more than half of the classes
E In all or almost all classes

VH271275

23. In your school, are there tablets (for example, Surface Pro, iPad, Kindle Fire) that
you can use?
A No
B Yes, but I cannot take one home with me.
C Yes, and I can take one home with me.

VH271276

24. In this school year, how often did you use a tablet (for example, Surface Pro, iPad,
Kindle Fire) during your classes at school?
A Never
B In some classes
C In about half of the classes
D In more than half of the classes
E In all or almost all classes

11/10/2015
15

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH337183

25. In your school, are there desktop computers that you can use?
A No
B Yes

VH271337

26. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. I finish whatever I
begin.
b. I try very hard even
after making mistakes.
c. I continue to work
towards my goals,
even when they take a
long time to complete.
d. I keep working hard
even when I feel like
quitting.
e. I continue working on
what I set out to do,
even when it takes a
long time to complete.
f. I keep trying to
improve myself, even
when it takes a long
time to get there.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Very much
like me

VH271338

VH271339

VH271341

VH271342

VH271344

VH271345

11/10/2015
16

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH271367

27. In this school year, how often have you done each of the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.

a. I came to class
prepared.
b. I remembered and
followed directions.
c. I started working on
assignments right
away rather than
waiting until the last
minute.
d. I paid attention and
resisted distractions.
e. I stayed on task
without reminders
from my teacher.
f. I paid attention in
class even when I was
not interested.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH271368

VH271369

VH271370

VH271372

VH271374

VH271375

11/10/2015
17

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH329465

28. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. At school, I finish
whatever I begin.
b. At school, I try very
hard even after making
mistakes.
c. At school, I continue
to work towards my
goals, even when they
take a long time to
complete.
d. At school, I keep
working hard even
when I feel like
quitting.
e. At school, I continue
working on what I set
out to do, even when
it takes a long time to
complete.
f. At school, I keep
trying to improve
myself, even when it
takes a long time to
get there.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Very much
like me

VH329466

VH329467

VH329468

VH329469

VH329470

VH329471

VH329411

29. If you have a problem while working towards an important goal, how well can you
keep working?
A Not well at all
B Slightly well
C Somewhat well
D Quite well
E Extremely well

11/10/2015
18

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH329413

30. How often do you stay focused on the same goal for more than 3 months at a time?
A Almost never
B Once in a while
C Sometimes
D Frequently
E Almost always

VH329415

31. When you are working on a project that matters a lot to you, how focused can you
stay when there are lots of distractions?
A Not focused at all
B Slightly focused
C Somewhat focused
D Quite focused
E Extremely focused

VH329416

32. If you fail at an important goal, how likely are you to try again?
A Not at all likely
B Slightly likely
C Somewhat likely
D Quite likely
E Extremely likely

11/10/2015
19

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH329423

33. If you need to do something you don’t want, in order to reach an important goal,
how likely are you to do it?
A Not at all likely
B Slightly likely
C Somewhat likely
D Quite likely
E Extremely likely

VH271749

34. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. I like complex
problems more than
easy problems.
b. I like activities that
challenge my thinking
abilities.
c. I enjoy situations
where I will have to
think about
something.
d. I find satisfaction in
thinking hard and for
long hours.
e. I enjoy thinking about
new solutions to
problems.
f. I like to think of my
life as a puzzle that I
must solve.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Very much
like me

VH271750

VH271752

VH271753

VH271754

VH271756

VH271758

11/10/2015
20

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH329448

35. Whether a person does well or poorly in school may depend on a lot of different
things. You may feel that some of these things are easier for you to change than
others. In school, how possible is it for you to change each of the following? Select one
answer choice on each row.

a. Putting forth a lot of
effort
b. Behaving well in class

Not at all
possible to
change

A little
possible to
change

Somewhat
possible to
change

Quite
possible to
change

Completely
possible to
change

VH329450

VH329451

11/10/2015
21

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH271934

36. In this school year, how often have you felt any of the following ways about your
school? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. I felt left out of things
at school.
b. I felt like I belong at
school.
c. I felt that I was treated
fairly by my teachers.
d. I felt that teachers
encouraged me to do
my best.
e. I worried about crime
and violence at my
school.
f. I felt excited about
something I learned in
my classes.
g. I felt awkward and out
of place at school.
h. I felt happy at school.
i. I looked forward to
going to school in the
morning.
j. I felt lonely at school.
k. I did not feel safe on
my way to and from
school.
l. I felt that I learned
something that I can
use in my daily life.
m. I felt that I learned
something that will
help me in the future.
n. I felt that I would like
to go to a different
school if I could.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH271935

VH271936

VH271937

VH271938

VH271940

VH271941

VH271942

VH271944

VH336900

VH336901

VH336902

VH336903

VH336904

VH336905

11/10/2015
22

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH349987

37. When did you first use a laptop or desktop computer?
A I have never used one.
B Before I was in kindergarten
C When I was in kindergarten
D When I was in first, second, or third grade
E When I was in fourth grade

VH349988

38. When did you first use a tablet (for example, Surface Pro, iPad, Kindle Fire)?
A Never until this assessment
B Before I was in kindergarten
C When I was in kindergarten
D When I was in first, second, or third grade
E When I was in fourth grade

VH349989

39. When did you first use a smartphone (for example, iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, HTC
One)?
A I have never used one.
B Before I was in kindergarten
C When I was in kindergarten
D When I was in first, second, or third grade
E When I was in fourth grade

11/10/2015
23

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Core Student Items

VH354590

40. How many days did you use the Internet for homework at home in the last
month?
A None
B 1 or 2
C 3 or 4
D 5 to 10
E More than 10 days

VH354591

41. How often do you use the Internet for homework at home?
A Never
B About once or twice a month
C About once or twice a week
D Almost every day
E Every day

11/10/2015
24

Part II-c: 2015 Operational Grade 8 Core

P
7

SECTION

4
2
1
P
7

|
|
|
|

4
2
1

Section

In this section, please tell us about yourself and your family. Please answer questions about
your home based on where you live most of the time during the school year. The section has
13 questions. Mark your answers in your booklet. Fill in only one oval for each question
except where instructed otherwise.
VB331330

1. Are you Hispanic or Latino? Fill in one
or more ovals.

VB331331

2. Which of the following best describes
you? Fill in one or more ovals.

A No, I am not Hispanic or Latino.

A White

B Yes, I am Mexican, Mexican

B Black or African American

American, or Chicano.

C Yes, I am Puerto Rican or Puerto
Rican American.

D Yes, I am Cuban or Cuban
American.

C Asian
D American Indian or Alaska Native
E Native Hawaiian or other Pacific
Islander

E Yes, I am from some other

Hispanic or Latino background.

P
7
4
2
1
P
7

|
|
|
|

4
J2D1

Page 1

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

Section

7
4

|
|
VB331335

3. About how many books are there in
your home?

A Few (0–10)
B Enough to fill one shelf (11–25)
C Enough to fill one bookcase (26–100)
D Enough to fill several bookcases
(more than 100)

2
1
P

TB001101
TB001101

6. About how many pages a day do you
6. About how many pages a day do you
have to read in school and for
have to read in school and for
homework?
homework?

7
4
2

A 5 or fewer
5 or fewer

B 6–10
6–10

C 11–15
11–15

D 16–20
16–20

E More than 20
VB331336

4. Is there a computer at home that
you use?

More than 20

VB331339
VB331339

7. How often do you talk about things you
7. How often do you talk about things you
have studied in school with someone in
have studied in school with someone in
your family?
your family?

A Yes
B No

A Never or hardly ever
Never or hardly ever

VF098664

5. Do you have the following in your
home? Fill in ovals for all that apply.

B Once every few weeks
Once every few weeks

C About once a week
About once a week

A Access to the Internet

D Two or three times a week

B Clothes dryer just for your family

E Every day

Two or three times a week
Every day

C Dishwasher
D More than one bathroom
E Your own bedroom

VB331447
VB331447

8. How many days were you absent from
8. How many days were you absent from
school in the last month?
school in the last month?

A None
None

B 1 or 2 days
1 or 2 days

C 3 or 4 days
3 or 4 days

D 5 to 10 days
5 to 10 days

E More than 10 days
More than 10 days

P
7
4

|
|

2
1
P

|
J2D1

Page 2

7
4

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

|
|
27

P
7

Section

4
2
1

|
|

P
7

VB330870
VB330870

9. How far in school did your mother go?
9. How far in school did your mother go?

4
2

A
did not finish high school.
A She
She did not finish high school.

B
graduated from high school.
B She
She graduated from high school.
C
had some education after high
C She
She had some education after high
school.
school.

VF095730

12. Do the following people live in your
home? Fill in ovals for all that apply.

A Mother
B Stepmother
C Foster mother or other female legal
guardian

D
graduated from college.
D She
She graduated from college.

D Father

E
know.
E II don’t
don’t know.

E Stepfather
VB330871
VB330871

10. How far in school did your father go?
10. How far in school did your father go?

F Foster father or other male legal
guardian

A
did not finish high school.
A He
He did not finish high school.
B
graduated from high school.
B He
He graduated from high school.
C
had some education after high
C He
He had some education after high

VE102537

13. Write the ZIP code of your home address
in the boxes.

school.
school.

D
graduated from college.
D He
He graduated from college.
E
know.
E II don’t
don’t know.
VB331451
VB331451

11. How often do people in your home talk
11. How often do people in your home talk
to each other in a language other than
to each other in a language other than
English?
English?

A
A Never
Never
B
in a while
B Once
Once in a while
C
half of the time
C About
About half of the time
D
or most of the time
D All
All or most of the time

P
7
4
2
1

|
|

P
7

4
2

J2D1
J2D1

Page 3

STOP
28

Part II-d: 2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH240387

VH240388

VH240186

3. About how many books are there in your home?
A Few (0–10)
B Enough to fill one shelf (11–25)
C Enough to fill one bookcase (26–100)
D Enough to fill several bookcases (more than 100)

11/10/2015
30

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH271104

4.. Do you have any of the following in your home? Select one answer choice on each row.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Yes

VH271105

VH336756

VH336759

VH336760

VH336762

VH271108

VH271110

VH271112

VH336764

5. In this school year, about how many pages a day do you have to read in school and
for homework?
A 5 or fewer
B 6–10
C 11–15
D 16–20
E More than 20

VH240190

6. How many days were you absent from school in the last month?
A None
B 1 or 2 days
C 3 or 4 days
D 5 to 10 days
E More than 10 days

11/10/2015
31

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH240192

VH240193

8. How far in school did your father go?
A He did not finish high school.
B He graduated from high school.
C He had some education after high school.
D He graduated from college.
E I don’t know.

VH271144

9. Do any of the following people live in your home? Select one answer choice on each
row.

a. Mother
b. Stepmother
c. Foster mother or other female legal
guardian
d. Father
e. Stepfather
f. Foster father or other male legal guardian

Yes

VH271145

VH271146

VH271147

VH271148

VH271149

VH271150

VH254028

10. Write the ZIP code of your home address in the box.

11/10/2015
32

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH336776

11. Does your mother work?
A Yes
B No
C I don’t know.

VH336779

12. Does your father work?
A Yes
B No
C I don’t know.

VH336786

13. What does your mother do at work? (For example, She’s a lawyer; She teaches 1st
grade; She cooks in a restaurant; She does not work.) Use these lines to describe what
your mother does at work.

11/10/2015
33

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH336787

14. What does your father do at work? (For example, He’s a lawyer; He teaches 1st
grade; He cooks in a restaurant; He does not work.) Use these lines to describe what
your father does at work.

VH313225

11/10/2015
34

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH313233

11/10/2015
35

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH336878

17. What does your mother do for work? Select the choice that most closely describes
what she does at work.
01 Accountant
\

22 Farmer
\

43 Religious worker
\

02 Artist
\

23 Firefighter
\

44 Repair technician
\

03 Athlete
\

24 Grounds worker
\

45 Salesperson
\

04 Carpenter
\

25 Health aide
\

46 Scientist
\

05 Cashier
\

26 Helper
\

47 Secretary
\

06 Cleaner
\

27 Housekeeper
\

48 Security guard
\

07 Clerk
\

28 Janitor
\

49 Server
\

08 College professor
\

29 Lawyer
\

50 Social worker
\

09 Construction worker
\

30 Librarian
\

51 Software developer
\

10 Cook
\

31 Manager
\

52 Stocker
\

11 Customer service
\

32 Marketing
\

53 Supervisor
\

12 Day care worker
\

33 Mechanic
\

54 Surgeon
\

13 Dental hygienist
\

34 Medical technician
\

55 Surveyor
\

14 Dentist
\

35 Military
\

56 Taxi driver
\

15 Designer
\

36 Miner
\

57 Teacher
\

16 Doctor
\

37 Nurse
\

58 Therapist
\

17 Education
\

38 Office support
\

59 Transportation
\

39 Painter
\

60 Truck driver
\

40 Pharmacist
\

61 Veterinarian
\

41 Police
\

62 Writer
\

42 Receptionist
\

63 Other (Please specify):
\

administrator
18 Electrician
\
19 Engineer
\
20 Executive
\
21 Factory worker
\

___________________

11/10/2015
36

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH336885

18. What does your father do for work? Select the choice that most closely describes
what he does at work.
01 Accountant
\

22 Farmer
\

43 Religious worker
\

02 Artist
\

23 Firefighter
\

44 Repair technician
\

03 Athlete
\

24 Grounds worker
\

45 Salesperson
\

04 Carpenter
\

25 Health aide
\

46 Scientist
\

05 Cashier
\

26 Helper
\

47 Secretary
\

06 Cleaner
\

27 Housekeeper
\

48 Security guard
\

07 Clerk
\

28 Janitor
\

49 Server
\

08 College professor
\

29 Lawyer
\

50 Social worker
\

09 Construction worker
\

30 Librarian
\

51 Software developer
\

10 Cook
\

31 Manager
\

52 Stocker
\

11 Customer service
\

32 Marketing
\

53 Supervisor
\

12 Day care worker
\

33 Mechanic
\

54 Surgeon
\

13 Dental hygienist
\

34 Medical technician
\

55 Surveyor
\

14 Dentist
\

35 Military
\

56 Taxi driver
\

15 Designer
\

36 Miner
\

57 Teacher
\

16 Doctor
\

37 Nurse
\

58 Therapist
\

17 Education
\

38 Office support
\

59 Transportation
\

39 Painter
\

60 Truck driver
\

40 Pharmacist
\

61 Veterinarian
\

41 Police
\

62 Writer
\

42 Receptionist
\

63 Other (Please specify):
\

administrator
18 Electrician
\
19 Engineer
\
20 Executive
\
21 Factory worker
\

___________________

11/10/2015
37

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH313238

19. Which of the following best describes where you are living?
A A single family home
B A townhouse
C An apartment
D A trailer or mobile home
E A community home or shelter
F Other (Please specify):: ___________________________________________________________

VH271259

20. How often do the following things happen at home? Select one answer choice on each
row.

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH271260

VH271261

VH271262

VH271263

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

11/10/2015
38

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH271273

21. In your school, are there laptop computers that you can use?
A No
B Yes, but I cannot take one home with me.
C Yes, and I can take one home with me.

VH271274

VH271275

23. In your school, are there tablets (for example, Surface Pro, iPad, Kindle Fire) that
you can use?
A No
B Yes, but I cannot take one home with me.
C Yes, and I can take one home with me.

VH271276

11/10/2015
39

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH337183

25. In your school, are there desktop computers that you can use?
A No
B Yes

VH271337

26. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Very much
like me

VH271338

VH271339

VH271341

VH271342

VH271344

VH271345

11/10/2015
40

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH271367

27. In this school year, how often have you done each of the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH271368

VH271369

VH271370

VH271372

VH271374

VH271375

11/10/2015
41

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH329465

28. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Very much
like me

VH329466

VH329467

VH329468

VH329469

VH329470

VH329471

VH329411

29. If you have a problem while working towards an important goal, how well can you
keep working?
A Not well at all
B Slightly well
C Somewhat well
D Quite well
E Extremely well

11/10/2015
42

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH329413

30. How often do you stay focused on the same goal for more than 3 months at a time?
A Almost never
B Once in a while
C Sometimes
D Frequently
E Almost always

VH329415

VH329416

32. If you fail at an important goal, how likely are you to try again?
A Not at all likely
B Slightly likely
C Somewhat likely
D Quite likely
E Extremely likely

11/10/2015
43

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH329423

VH271749

34. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Very much
like me

VH271750

VH271752

VH271753

VH271754

VH271756

VH271758

11/10/2015
44

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH329448

a. Putting forth a lot of
effort
b. Behaving well in class

Not at all
possible to
change

A little
possible to
change

Somewhat
possible to
change

Quite
possible to
change

Completely
possible to
change

VH329450

VH329451

11/10/2015
45

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH271934

36. In this school year, how often have you felt any of the following ways about your
school? Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH271935

VH271936

VH271937

VH271938

VH271940

VH271941

VH271942

VH271944

VH336900

VH336901

VH336902

VH336903

VH336904

VH336905

11/10/2015
46

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH349991

VH349993

VH349994

11/10/2015
47

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Core Student Items

VH354590

40. How many days did you use the Internet for homework at home in the last
month?
A None
B 1 or 2
C 3 or 4
D 5 to 10
E More than 10 days

VH354591

41. How often do you use the Internet for homework at home?
A Never
B About once or twice a month
C About once or twice a week
D Almost every day
E Every day

11/10/2015
48

Part II-e: 2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH260197

1. For school this year, how often do you use the following devices to read a story,
article, or book? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Desktop computer
b. Laptop computer
c. Tablet (for
example, Surface
Pro, iPad, Kindle
Fire)

Never

About
once or
twice a
year

About
once or
twice a
month

About
once or
twice a
week

Every day
or almost
every day

Several
times a
day

VH260200

VH260201

VH260202

VH332820

2. How often do you receive help from a tutor, family member, or friend with
English/language arts outside of school or after school?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH260228

3. In this school year, how often do you borrow reading materials (such as books or
magazines) from your school library or media center?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

6/5/2015
50

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH332842

4. How often does your teacher ask you to read silently?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH239975

5. How often does your teacher ask you to read silently?
A Never or hardly ever
B Sometimes
C Often
D Always or almost always

VH332850

6. How often does your teacher ask you to read a book you have chosen yourself?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH239976

7. How often does your teacher ask you to read a book you have chosen yourself?
A Never or hardly ever
B Sometimes
C Often
D Always or almost always

6/5/2015
51

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH332853

8. How often does your teacher ask you to discuss new or difficult vocabulary?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH239978

9. How often does your teacher ask you to discuss new or difficult vocabulary?
A Never or hardly ever
B Sometimes
C Often
D Always or almost always

VH332862

10. For school this year, how often do you work in pairs or small groups to talk about
something that you have read?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

6/5/2015
52

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH239979

11. For school this year, how often do you work in pairs or small groups to talk about
something that you have read?
A Never or hardly ever
B A few times a year
C Once or twice a month
D At least once a week

VH332871

12. For school this year, how often do you have a class discussion about something
that the class has read?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH239996

13. For school this year, how often do you have a class discussion about something
that the class has read?
A Never or hardly ever
B A few times a year
C Once or twice a month
D At least once a week

6/5/2015
53

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH332878

14. For school this year, how often have you been asked to write long answers (several
sentences or paragraphs) to questions on tests or assignments that involved
reading?
A Never
B Once
C Two or three times
D Four to five times
E More than five times

VH239999

15. For school this year, how often have you been asked to write long answers to
questions on tests or assignments that involved reading?
A Never
B Once or twice this year
C Once or twice a month
D At least once a week

6/5/2015
54

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH260269

16.. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. I read only if I have to.
b. Reading is one of my
favorite activities.
c. I like talking about
books with other
people.
d. I find it difficult to
finish books.
e. I feel happy if I receive
a book as a present.
f. I think reading is
important.
g. I enjoy going to a
bookstore or a library.
h. I read only to get
information that I
need.
i. I like to exchange
books with my friends.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH260270

VH260271

VH260272

VH260273

VH260274

VH260275

VH260277

VH260278

VH260281

VH333223

17. How often do you do each of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Read for fun on your
own time
b. Talk with your friends
or family about
something you have
read

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH333224

VH333225

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
55

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH240406

18. How often do you do each of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever
a. Read for fun on your own
time
b. Talk with your friends or
family about something
you have read

Once or twice Once or twice
a month
a week

Almost every
day

VH240411

VH240408

VH333180

19. Please indicate how much you agree with the following statements about
reading. Select one answer choice on each row.

a. When I read books,
I learn a lot.
b. Reading is one of
my favorite
activities.
c. Reading is
enjoyable.

Strongly
disagree

Disagree

Somewhat Somewhat
disagree
agree

Agree

Strongly
agree

VH333182

VH333181

VH333183

VH240399

20. Please indicate how much you DISAGREE or AGREE with the following statements
about reading and writing. Select one answer choice on each row.

a. When I read books, I learn
a lot.
b. Reading is one of my
favorite activities.
c. Reading is enjoyable.

Strongly
disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

VH240404

VH240400

VH240402

6/5/2015
56

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH260406

21. Besides doing homework, how much time do you spend reading outside of school?
A Less than 30 minutes a day
B 30 minutes up to 1 hour a day
C 1 up to 2 hours a day
D 2 up to 3 hours a day
E 3 up to 4 hours a day
F More than 4 hours a day

VH260407

22. On a typical school day, how much time do you use a computer or other digital
device to do your English/language arts schoolwork and homework?
A Less than 30 minutes
B 30 minutes up to 1 hour
C 1 up to 2 hours
D 2 up to 3 hours
E 3 up to 4 hours
F More than 4 hours

6/5/2015
57

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH260663

23.. Which of the following statements are true about the ways in which you and your
teachers use computers or other digital devices in your English/language arts
class? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. There are computers or other digital
devices that I can use for my English/
language arts schoolwork.
b. There is Wi-Fi or some other Internet
connection that I can use for my English/
language arts schoolwork.
c. My English/language arts teacher uses
computers or other digital devices when
teaching my class.
d. My English/language arts teacher requires
us to use computers or other digital devices
to complete assignments.

Yes

VH260664

VH260665

VH260666

VH260667

6/5/2015
58

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH337050

24. Do you think you would be able to do each of the following when reading? Select one
answer choice on each row.

a. Figure out the
meaning of a word you
don’t know by using
other words in the text
b. Explain the meaning
of something you have
read
c. Understand the
feelings of characters
in a story
d. Figure out the main
idea of a text
e. Figure out the theme
of a text
f. Find text in a reading
passage to help you
answer a question on a
test
g. Recognize when you
don’t understand
something you are
reading
h. Recognize the
difference between
fact and opinion in a
text

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH337051

VH337068

VH337053

VH337054

VH337055

VH337062

VH337063

VH337064

6/5/2015
59

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH260906

25. How often do you typically do each of the following things outside of school? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. Talk about books
(print or online) with
other people
b. Go to my local library
to borrow books (print
or online)
c. Read blogs
d. Use social media (for
example, Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram)
e. Help friends with
reading homework

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

VH260907

VH260911

VH260913

VH333261

VH260917

VH333279

26. In this school year, did you participate in a book club?
A Yes
B No

VH333280

27. Have you ever participated in a summer reading program?
A Yes
B No

VH333291

28. Last summer, did you participate in a summer reading program?
A Yes
B No

6/5/2015
60

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH260926

29.. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. I want other students
to think I am good at
reading.
b. I want to show others
that my English/
language arts
schoolwork is easy for
me.
c. I want to look smart in
comparison to the
other students in my
English/language arts
class.
d. I want to learn as
much as possible in
my English/language
arts class.
e. I want to master a lot
of new skills in my
English/language arts
class.
f. I want to pass my
English/language arts
class.
g. I want to become a
better reader this year.
h. I want to get better
grades than most other
students in my
English/language arts
class.
i. I want to get good
grades in my English/
language arts class.
j. I want to avoid
making mistakes in
front of my classmates
in my English/
language arts class.
k. I want to understand
as much as I can in my
English/language arts
class.
l. I want to hide how
nervous I am about
reading.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH260928

VH260929

VH260930

VH260931

VH260932

VH260933

VH260934

VH260935

VH260936

VH260937

VH260938

VH333328

6/5/2015
61

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH260946

30. In your English/language arts class this school year, how often have you done each
of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. I came to my English/
language arts class
prepared.
b. I remembered and
followed directions
from my English/
language arts teacher.
c. I started working on
reading assignments
right away rather than
waiting until the last
minute.
d. I paid attention and
resisted distractions
during English/
language arts class.
e. I stayed on task
without reminders
from my English/
language arts teacher.
f. I paid attention in my
English/language arts
class even when I was
not interested.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH260952

VH260953

VH260954

VH260955

VH260957

VH260958

6/5/2015
62

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH261065

31. How often do you typically read each of the following outside of school (print or
online)? Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH261066

VH261067

VH261068

VH261069

VH261070

VH261071

VH261073

VH261074

VH261075

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Stories or novels
Poems
Plays
Autobiographies
Comic books
Magazines
Blogs or personal web
pages
h. E-mails
i. Text messages

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

VH240001

32. How hard was this test compared to most other tests you have taken this year in
school?
A Easier than other tests
B About as hard as other tests
C Harder than other tests
D Much harder than other tests

VH240002

33. How hard did you try on this test compared to how hard you tried on most other
tests you have taken this year in school?
A Not as hard as on other tests
B About as hard as on other tests
C Harder than on other tests
D Much harder than on other tests

6/5/2015
63

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH240003

34.. How important was it to you to do well on this test?
A Not very important
B Somewhat important
C Important
D Very important

VH260313

35. How easy or difficult was this test?
A Extremely difficult
B Quite difficult
C Somewhat difficult
D Somewhat easy
E Quite easy
F Extremely easy

VH260314

36. How many questions do you think you answered correctly on this test?
A None or almost none
B Some but less than half
C About half
D More than half but not all
E All or almost all

6/5/2015
64

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH260315

37.. How similar were the questions on this test to the questions on your
English/language arts quizzes and tests at school?
A Not similar at all
B Not similar
C Somewhat similar
D Quite similar
E Extremely similar

VH260331

38. How much do you agree with each of the following statements? Select one answer
choice on each row.
Strongly
disagree

Disagree

a. I applied a lot of
effort to succeed on
this test.
b. Taking this test
was stressful.
c. Taking this test
was challenging.
d. I felt time pressure
when taking this
test.

Somewhat Somewhat
disagree
agree

Agree

Strongly
agree

VH260334

VH260335

VH260336

VH260338

VH333658

39. How much effort did you apply to succeed on this test?
A No effort at all
B Very little effort
C Some effort
D Quite a bit of effort
E A lot of effort

6/5/2015
65

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Reading Student Items

VH333659

40.. How stressful was taking this test?
A Not stressful at all
B A little stressful
C Somewhat stressful
D Quite stressful
E Extremely stressful

VH333660

41. How challenging was taking this test?
A Not challenging at all
B A little challenging
C Somewhat challenging
D Quite challenging
E Extremely challenging

VH333661

42. How much time pressure did you feel when taking this test?
A No time pressure at all
B A little bit of time pressure
C Some time pressure
D Quite a bit of time pressure
E A lot of time pressure

6/5/2015
66

Part II-f: 2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260197

1. For school this year, how often do you use the following devices to read a story,
article, or book? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Desktop computer
b. Laptop computer
c. Tablet (for
example, Surface
Pro, iPad, Kindle
Fire)

Never

About
once or
twice a
year

About
once or
twice a
month

About
once or
twice a
week

Every day
or almost
every day

Several
times a
day

VH260200

VH260201

VH260202

VH332820

VH260228

6/5/2015
68

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH332878

4.. For school this year, how often have you been asked to write long answers (several
sentences or paragraphs) to questions on tests or assignments that involved
reading?
A Never
B Once
C Two or three times
D Four to five times
E More than five times

VH239999

5. For school this year, how often have you been asked to write long answers to
questions on tests or assignments that involved reading?
A Never
B Once or twice this year
C Once or twice a month
D At least once a week

VH332887

6. For your English/language arts class this year, how often do you do each of the
following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Have a class
discussion about
something that the
whole class has read
b. Work in pairs or small
groups to talk about
something that you
have read

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH332888

VH332889

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
69

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH240413

7. Now think about reading and writing you do for school. For your English class this
year, how often do you do each of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever

A few times a
year

VH240416

VH240415

a. Have a class discussion
about something that the
whole class has read
b. Work in pairs or small
groups to talk about
something that you have
read

Once or twice At least once a
a month
week

VH332903

8. For your English/language arts class so far this year, how many times have you done
each of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Completed a project
about something that
you have read (for
example, written a
play, created a website)
b. Conducted research
for reading and writing
projects

Never

Once

Two or
three times

Four to five
times

More than
five times

VH332905

VH332904

6/5/2015
70

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH240417

9. For your English class so far this year, how many times have you done each of the
following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Done a project about
something that you
have read (for example,
written a play, created
a website)
b. Conducted research
for reading and writing
projects

2 or 3 times 4 or 5 times

6 or more
times

Never

Once

VH240421

VH240419

VH333044

10. In your English/language arts class this year, how often does your class do each of
the following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Read silently
b. Explain what we have
read
c. Read books we have
chosen ourselves

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

VH333046

VH333052

VH333050

VH240422

11. In your English/language arts class this year, how often does your class do each of
the following? Select one answer choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever
a. Read silently
b. Explain what we have read
c. Read books we have
chosen ourselves

Once or twice Once or twice
a month
a week

Every day or
almost every
day

VH240424

VH240426

VH240428

6/5/2015
71

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH333074

12. In your English/language arts class this year, when reading a story, article, or other
passage, how often does your teacher ask you to do the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever

Once in a
while

Sometimes

Often

Always or
almost
always

VH333075

VH333076

VH333079

VH333078

VH333094

VH333077

a. Summarize the
passage
b. Interpret the meaning
of the passage
c. Question the motives
or feelings of the
characters
d. Identify the main ideas
of the passage
e. Identify the themes of
the passage
f. Analyze two or more
texts on the same
topic

VH240437

13. In your English/language arts class this year, when reading a story, article, or other
passage, how often does your teacher ask you to do the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever
a. Summarize the passage
b. Interpret the meaning of
the passage
c. Question the motives or
feelings of the characters
d. Identify the main themes
or main ideas of the
passage

Once or twice Once or twice
a month
a week

Every day or
almost every
day

VH240438

VH240439

VH240440

VH240443

6/5/2015
72

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH333111

14. In your English/language arts class this year, how often do you use a computer or
other digital device to do each of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Learn and practice
vocabulary
b. Practice spelling and
grammar
c. Access reading-related
websites (for example,
websites with book
reviews and lists of
recommended books)
d. Conduct research for
reading and writing
projects
e. Read books or articles

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

VH333112

VH333113

VH333116

VH333120

VH333115

VH240447

15. In your English/language arts class this year, how often do you use a computer to do
each of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever
a. Learn and practice
vocabulary
b. Practice spelling and
grammar
c. Access reading-related
websites (for example,
websites with book
reviews and lists of
recommended books)
d. Conduct research for
reading and writing
projects
e. Read books or articles
using a computer or other
digital technology

Once or twice Once or twice
a month
a week

Every day or
almost every
day

VH240448

VH240449

VH240459

VH240454

VH240453

6/5/2015
73

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260254

16. In your English/language arts class this year, when reading a story, article, or other
passage, how often does your teacher ask you to do the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever

Once in a
while

Sometimes

Often

Always or
almost
always

VH260256

VH333142

VH333144

a. Evaluate the main
evidence in a
persuasive/argument
passage
b. Analyze the author’s
organization of
information in a
passage
c. Critique the author’s
craft or technique

VH240433

17. In your English/language arts class this year, when reading a story, article, or other
passage, how often does your teacher ask you to do the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever
a. Evaluate the main
arguments or evidence in a
persuasive passage
b. Analyze the author’s
organization of information
in a passage
c. Critique the author’s craft
or technique

Once or twice Once or twice
a month
a week

I don’t know.

VH240434

VH240436

VH240435

6/5/2015
74

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260269

18. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH260270

VH260271

VH260272

VH260273

VH260274

VH260275

VH260277

VH260278

VH260281

VH333223

19. How often do you do each of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Read for fun on your
own time
b. Talk with your friends
or family about
something you have
read

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH333224

VH333225

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
75

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH240406

20. How often do you do each of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever
a. Read for fun on your own
time
b. Talk with your friends or
family about something
you have read

Once or twice Once or twice
a month
a week

Almost every
day

VH240411

VH240408

VH333180

21. Please indicate how much you agree with the following statements about
reading. Select one answer choice on each row.

a. When I read books,
I learn a lot.
b. Reading is one of
my favorite
activities.
c. Reading is
enjoyable.

Strongly
disagree

Disagree

Somewhat Somewhat
disagree
agree

Agree

Strongly
agree

VH333182

VH333181

VH333183

VH240399

22. Please indicate how much you DISAGREE or AGREE with the following statements
about reading and writing. Select one answer choice on each row.

a. When I read books, I learn
a lot.
b. Reading is one of my
favorite activities.
c. Reading is enjoyable.

Strongly
disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

VH240404

VH240400

VH240402

6/5/2015
76

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260406

23. Besides doing homework, how much time do you spend reading outside of school?
A Less than 30 minutes a day
B 30 minutes up to 1 hour a day
C 1 up to 2 hours a day
D 2 up to 3 hours a day
E 3 up to 4 hours a day
F More than 4 hours a day

VH260407

24. On a typical school day, how much time do you use a computer or other digital
device to do your English/language arts schoolwork and homework?
A Less than 30 minutes
B 30 minutes up to 1 hour
C 1 up to 2 hours
D 2 up to 3 hours
E 3 up to 4 hours
F More than 4 hours

6/5/2015
77

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260663

25.. Which of the following statements are true about the ways in which you and your
teachers use computers or other digital devices in your English/language arts
class? Select one answer choice on each row.

Yes

VH260664

VH260665

VH260666

VH260667

6/5/2015
78

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260847

26. Do you think you would be able to do each of the following when reading? Select one
answer choice on each row.

a. Figure out the
meaning of a word you
don’t know by using
other words in the text
b. Explain the meaning
of something you have
read
c. Understand the
feelings of characters
in a story
d. Figure out the main
idea of a text
e. Figure out the theme
of a text
f. Judge the reliability of
sources (for example,
how a website might
be biased or
inaccurate)
g. Credit others for their
ideas (for example,
citing sources, using
endnotes and
footnotes in reports)
h. Find text in a reading
passage to help you
answer a question on a
test
i. Recognize when you
don’t understand
something you are
reading
j. Recognize the
difference between
fact and opinion in a
text
k. Critique an author’s
craft or technique
l. Use evidence in a text
to support my answer
m. Identify the author’s
perspective in a
persuasive text

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH260848

VH260849

VH260850

VH260851

VH260852

VH260857

VH260858

VH260859

VH260861

VH260863

VH260866

VH260867

VH260868

6/5/2015
79

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260906

27. How often do you typically do each of the following things outside of school? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

VH260907

VH260911

VH260913

VH333261

VH260917

VH333279

28. In this school year, did you participate in a book club?
A Yes
B No

VH333280

29. Have you ever participated in a summer reading program?
A Yes
B No

VH333291

30. Last summer, did you participate in a summer reading program?
A Yes
B No

6/5/2015
80

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items
VH260926

31.. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH260928

VH260929

VH260930

VH260931

VH260932

VH260933

VH260934

VH260935

VH260936

VH260937

VH260938

VH333328

6/5/2015
81

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260946

32. In your English/language arts class this school year, how often have you done each
of the following? Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH260952

VH260953

VH260954

VH260955

VH260957

VH260958

6/5/2015
82

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH261065

33. How often do you typically read each of the following outside of school (print or
online)? Select one answer choice on each row.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Stories or novels
Poems
Plays
Autobiographies
Comic books
Magazines
Blogs or personal web
pages
h. E-mails
i. Text messages

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH261066

VH261067

VH261068

VH261069

VH261070

VH261071

VH261073

VH261074

VH261075

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
83

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH240001

34. How hard was this test compared to most other tests you have taken this year in
school?
A Easier than other tests
B About as hard as other tests
C Harder than other tests
D Much harder than other tests

VH240002

35. How hard did you try on this test compared to how hard you tried on most other
tests you have taken this year in school?
A Not as hard as on other tests
B About as hard as on other tests
C Harder than on other tests
D Much harder than on other tests

VH240003

36. How important was it to you to do well on this test?
A Not very important
B Somewhat important
C Important
D Very important

6/5/2015
84

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260313

37. How easy or difficult was this test?
A Extremely difficult
B Quite difficult
C Somewhat difficult
D Somewhat easy
E Quite easy
F Extremely easy

VH260314

38. How many questions do you think you answered correctly on this test?
A None or almost none
B Some but less than half
C About half
D More than half but not all
E All or almost all

VH260315

39. How similar were the questions on this test to the questions on your
English/language arts quizzes and tests at school?
A Not similar at all
B Not similar
C Somewhat similar
D Quite similar
E Extremely similar

6/5/2015
85

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH260331

40. How much do you agree with each of the following statements? Select one answer
choice on each row.
Strongly
disagree

Disagree

a. I applied a lot of
effort to succeed on
this test.
b. Taking this test
was stressful.
c. Taking this test
was challenging.
d. I felt time pressure
when taking this
test.

Somewhat Somewhat
disagree
agree

Agree

Strongly
agree

VH260334

VH260335

VH260336

VH260338

VH333658

41. How much effort did you apply to succeed on this test?
A No effort at all
B Very little effort
C Some effort
D Quite a bit of effort
E A lot of effort

VH333659

42. How stressful was taking this test?
A Not stressful at all
B A little stressful
C Somewhat stressful
D Quite stressful
E Extremely stressful

6/5/2015
86

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Reading Student Items

VH333660

43.. How challenging was taking this test?
A Not challenging at all
B A little challenging
C Somewhat challenging
D Quite challenging
E Extremely challenging

VH333661

44. How much time pressure did you feel when taking this test?
A No time pressure at all
B A little bit of time pressure
C Some time pressure
D Quite a bit of time pressure
E A lot of time pressure

6/5/2015
87

Part II-g: 2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 Reading

[Grade 8 Reading: Student #1]
VH260228
In this school year, how often do you borrow reading materials (such as books or magazines) from
your classroom library, school library, or media center?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Never
About once or twice a year
About once or twice a month
About once or twice a week
Every day or almost every day

[Grade 8 Reading: Student #2]
VH260407
On a typical school day, how much time do you use a computer or other digital device to do your
English/language arts schoolwork and homework?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Less than 30 minutes
30 minutes up to 1 hour
1 up to 2 hours
2 up to 3 hours
3 up to 4 hours
More than 4 hours

Part II-h: 2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH266754

1. How often do you use a computer or other digital device (excluding hand-held
calculators) for math at school?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH336225

2. How often do you use a computer or other digital device for math homework?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH336227

3. How often do you use a computer or other digital device for math?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

11/10/2015
91

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH336228

4. How often do you use the Internet to learn things about math?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH336231

5. How often do you use a calculator?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH240035

6. How often do you use a calculator?
A Never or hardly ever
B Once in a while
C Almost every day

11/10/2015
92

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH336233

7. How often do you receive help or tutoring with math outside of school or after
school?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH240037

8. How often do you receive help or tutoring with math outside of school or after
school?
A Never or hardly ever
B Once or twice a month
C Once or twice a week
D Every day or almost every day

VH266781

9. This school year, how often do you use the following digital devices to work on
math problems, including homework? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Hand-held calculator
b. Desktop or laptop
computer
c. Tablet (for example,
Surface Pro, iPad,
Kindle Fire)
d. Smartphone (for
example, iPhone,
Samsung Galaxy, HTC
One)
e. Other device (Please
specify):
_____________________

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH266782

VH266783

VH266786

VH266788

VH266789

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

11/10/2015
93

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH266808

10. In your math class this year, how often have you used the following types of
calculators? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Basic calculator
b. Calculator app on a
smartphone
c. Calculator on a tablet
d. Calculator on a
desktop or laptop
computer

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH266809

VH266811

VH266812

VH266813

VH267415

11. This school year, how often did the following things happen in your math class? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. My teacher used
computers or other
digital devices to show
us how to work
through math
problems.
b. I used the Internet for
my math work.
c. My teacher used
desktop or laptop
computers when
teaching math to my
class.
d. My teacher required us
to use computers or
other digital devices to
complete math
assignments.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH267416

VH267417

VH267418

VH267419

11/10/2015
94

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH336036

12. In this school year, how often have you used a computer or other digital device
(excluding hand-held calculators) to complete your math assignments?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH336037

13. In this school year, how often have you used a computer or other digital device
(excluding hand-held calculators) to look online for resources for help with your
math assignments?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH336038

14. In this school year, how often have you used a computer or other digital device
(excluding hand-held calculators) to take an online practice test?
A Never
B Once
C Two or three times
D Four to five times
E More than five times

11/10/2015
95

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH267478

15. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. I enjoy doing math.
b. I look forward to my
math class.
c. I am interested in the
things I learned in
math.
d. I think making an
effort in math is
worthwhile.
e. I think math will help
me even when I am
not in school.
f. I think it is important
to do well in math.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH267479

VH267481

VH267483

VH267485

VH267486

VH267487

VH267498

16. How much do you enjoy solving each of the following types of math problems? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. Addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and
division
b. Working with
geometric figures like
rectangles and squares
c. Looking at patterns,
graphs, and charts

Enjoy not at
all

Enjoy a
little bit

Enjoy
somewhat

Enjoy quite
a bit

Enjoy a lot

VH267499

VH267505

VH267507

11/10/2015
96

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH267672

17. Thinking about math, do you think that you would be able to do each of the
following? Do not actually solve the problems. Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Estimate the weight of
5 apples using pounds
(lbs)
b. Divide 42 stickers by 6
students
c. Calculate how many
square feet of tile you
need to cover your
classroom floor
d. Estimate the area of
your classroom floor
using square feet
e. Find the amount of
carpet needed to cover
a rectangular floor if
you know its length
and width
f. Know when to take a
turkey out of the oven
if it goes in at 10:00
A.M. and it takes 3
hours and 45 minutes
to cook

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH267674

VH267675

VH267676

VH267680

VH267682

VH267683

11/10/2015
97

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH336061

18. Thinking about math, do you think that you would be able to do each of the
following without a calculator? Do not actually solve the problems. Select one answer
choice on each row.

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH336062

VH336063

VH336064

VH336068

VH336070

VH336066

11/10/2015
98

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH268936

19. How often do you use math in everyday life outside of school?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH268945

20. How often do you participate in each of the following activities outside of
school? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Talk about math
problems with your
friends
b. Attend after-school
tutoring with other
students
c. Play an instrument
and read music
d. Go to websites for
help with your math
homework

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

VH268946

VH268958

VH268961

VH268962

VH336085

21. Have you ever helped your friends with their math homework?
A Yes
B No

11/10/2015
99

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH269037

22. Over the past seven days, how many days have you helped your friends with their
math homework? Enter the number of days.

VH269015

23. Have you ever participated in a summer program for math?
A Yes
B No

VH269016

24. Last summer, did you participate in a summer program for math?
A Yes
B No

VH336087

25. Have you ever participated in a math study group?
A Yes
B No

VH269039

26. Over the past seven days, how many days have you participated in a math study
group? Enter the number of days.

11/10/2015
100

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH269048

27. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. I want other students
to think I am good at
math.
b. I want to show others
that my math
schoolwork is easy for
me.
c. I want to look smart in
comparison to the
other students in my
math class.
d. I want to master a lot
of new skills in my
math class.
e. I want to become
better in math this
year.
f. I want to get better
grades than most other
students in my math
class.
g. I want to learn as
much as possible in
my math class.
h. I want to understand
as much as I can in my
math class.
i. I want to pass my
math class.
j. I want to get good
grades in my math
class.
k. I want to hide how
nervous I am about
math.
l. I want to avoid
making mistakes in
front of my classmates
in my math class.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH269049

VH269050

VH269053

VH269055

VH269056

VH269058

VH269059

VH269060

VH327502

VH327503

VH327504

VH327505

11/10/2015
101

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH336092

28. In your math class this school year, how often have you done each of the
following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. I came to my math
class prepared.
b. I remembered and
followed directions
from my math teacher.
c. I started working on
my math assignments
right away rather than
waiting until the last
minute.
d. I paid attention and
resisted distractions
during math class.
e. I stayed on task
without reminders
from my math teacher.
f. I paid attention in my
math class even when
I was not interested.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH336093

VH336094

VH336095

VH336096

VH336097

VH336099

11/10/2015
102

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH350115

29. For school this year, how often have you been asked to write long answers (several
sentences or paragraphs) to questions on tests or assignments that involved math?
A Never
B Once
C Two or three times
D Four or five times
E More than five times

VH350116

30. For school this year, how often do you work in pairs or small groups to talk about
something that you have done in math?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day.

VH240001

31. How hard was this test compared to most other tests you have taken this year in
school?
A Easier than other tests
B About as hard as other tests
C Harder than other tests
D Much harder than other tests

11/10/2015
103

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH240002

32. How hard did you try on this test compared to how hard you tried on most other
tests you have taken this year in school?
A Not as hard as on other tests
B About as hard as on other tests
C Harder than on other tests
D Much harder than on other tests

VH240003

33. How important was it to you to do well on this test?
A Not very important
B Somewhat important
C Important
D Very important

VH260313

34. How easy or difficult was this test?
A Extremely difficult
B Quite difficult
C Somewhat difficult
D Somewhat easy
E Quite easy
F Extremely easy

11/10/2015
104

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH260314

35. How many questions do you think you answered correctly on this test?
A None or almost none
B Some but less than half
C About half
D More than half but not all
E All or almost all

VH337139

36. How similar were the questions on this test to the questions on your math quizzes
and tests at school?
A Not similar at all
B Not similar
C Somewhat similar
D Quite similar
E Extremely similar

VH260331

37. How much do you agree with each of the following statements? Select one answer
choice on each row.

a. I applied a lot of
effort to succeed on
this test.
b. Taking this test
was stressful.
c. Taking this test
was challenging.
d. I felt time pressure
when taking this
test.

Strongly
disagree

Disagree

Somewhat Somewhat
disagree
agree

Agree

Strongly
agree

VH260334

VH260335

VH260336

VH260338

11/10/2015
105

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH333658

38. How much effort did you apply to succeed on this test?
A No effort at all
B Very little effort
C Some effort
D Quite a bit of effort
E A lot of effort

VH333659

39. How stressful was taking this test?
A Not stressful at all
B A little stressful
C Somewhat stressful
D Quite stressful
E Extremely stressful

VH333660

40. How challenging was taking this test?
A Not challenging at all
B A little challenging
C Somewhat challenging
D Quite challenging
E Extremely challenging

11/10/2015
106

2016 Pilot Grade 4 Mathematics Student Items

VH333661

41. How much time pressure did you feel when taking this test?
A No time pressure at all
B A little bit of time pressure
C Some time pressure
D Quite a bit of time pressure
E A lot of time pressure

11/10/2015
107

Part II-i: 2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics

108

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH266754

VH336233

2. How often do you receive help or tutoring with math outside of school or after
school?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH240037

3. How often do you receive help or tutoring with math outside of school or after
school?
A Never or hardly ever
B Once or twice a month
C Once or twice a week
D Every day or almost every day

11/10/2015
109

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH266769

4. What math class are you taking this year? Select one or more answer choices.
A Eighth-grade math
B General eighth-grade math
C Algebra I course
D First year of a two-year algebra course
E Second year of a two-year algebra course
F Algebra I (one-year course)
G Algebra II
H Geometry
I Other

VH240046

5. What math class do you expect to take next year?
A Geometry
B Algebra II
C Algebra I (one-year course)
D First year of a two-year Algebra I course
E Second year of a two-year Algebra I course
F Introduction to algebra or pre-algebra
G Basic or general math
H Business or consumer math
I Other math class
J I don’t know.

11/10/2015
110

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH240782

6. When you are doing math for school or homework, how often do you use these
different types of computer programs? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. A spreadsheet program
for math class
assignments
b. A program to practice
or drill on math facts
(addition, subtraction,
multiplication,
division)
c. A program that
presents new math
lessons with problems
to solve
d. A calculator program
to solve or check
problems for math
class
e. A graphing program to
make charts or graphs
for math class
f. A statistical program
to calculate patterns
such as correlations or
cross tabulations
g. A word processing
program to write
papers for math class
h. A program to work
with geometric shapes
for math class
i. The Internet to learn
things for math class

Two or
Every day or
three times
almost
a week
every day

Never or
hardly ever

Once every
few weeks

About once
a week

VH240802

VH240785

VH240787

VH240788

VH240789

VH240791

VH240783

VH240792

VH240786

11/10/2015
111

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH240803

7. How often do you use e-mail, instant messages, blogs, or text messages to do any of
the following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Talk online with
friends about math
work
b. Get help with math
from someone other
than your teacher,
family, classmates, or
friends

Two or
Every day or
three times
almost
a week
every day

Never or
hardly ever

Once every
few weeks

About once
a week

VH240805

VH240806

VH266781

8. This school year, how often do you use the following digital devices to work on
math problems, including homework? Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH266782

VH266783

VH266786

VH266788

VH266789

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

11/10/2015
112

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH266808

9. In your math class this year, how often have you used the following types of
calculators? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Basic calculator
b. Graphing calculator
c. Calculator app on a
smartphone
d. Calculator on a tablet
e. Calculator on a
desktop or laptop
computer

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH266809

VH266810

VH266811

VH266812

VH266813

VH267415

10. This school year, how often did the following things happen in your math class? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH267416

VH267417

VH267418

VH267419

11/10/2015
113

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH336036

11. In this school year, how often have you used a computer or other digital device
(excluding hand-held calculators) to complete your math assignments?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH336037

12. In this school year, how often have you used a computer or other digital device
(excluding hand-held calculators) to look online for resources for help with your
math assignments?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH336038

13. In this school year, how often have you used a computer or other digital device
(excluding hand-held calculators) to take an online practice test?
A Never
B Once
C Two or three times
D Four to five times
E More than five times

11/10/2015
114

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH267478

14. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH267479

VH267481

VH267483

VH267485

VH267486

VH267487

11/10/2015
115

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH267498

15. How much do you enjoy solving each of the following types of math problems? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. Addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and
division
b. Finding areas of shapes
and figures
c. Solving for
probabilities and
events (for example,
card, coin, marble, and
spinner problems)
d. Solving equations or
simplifying
expressions
e. Constructing and
building different
types of graphs (for
example, bar graph,
line graph, or box and
whisker plots)
f. Working with
geometric figures like
rectangles and squares
g. Looking at patterns,
graphs, and charts

Enjoy not at
all

Enjoy a
little bit

Enjoy
somewhat

Enjoy quite
a bit

Enjoy a lot

VH267499

VH267501

VH267502

VH267503

VH267504

VH267505

VH267507

11/10/2015
116

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH267672

16. Thinking about math, do you think that you would be able to do each of the
following? Do not actually solve the problems. Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Estimate the weight of
5 apples using pounds
(lbs)
b. Divide 42 stickers by 6
students
c. Calculate how many
square feet of tile you
need to cover your
classroom floor
d. Determine a 20
percent tip of a 67
dollar restaurant
dinner bill
e. Estimate the area of
your classroom floor
using square feet
f. Describe the
properties shared by
every isosceles right
triangle
g. Find the amount of
carpet needed to cover
a rectangular floor if
you know its length
and width
h. Know when to take a
turkey out of the oven
if it goes in at 10:00
A.M. and it takes 3
hours and 45 minutes
to cook

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH267674

VH267675

VH267676

VH267679

VH267680

VH267681

VH267682

VH267683

11/10/2015
117

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH336061

17. Thinking about math, do you think that you would be able to do each of the
following without a calculator? Do not actually solve the problems. Select one answer
choice on each row.

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH336062

VH336063

VH336064

VH336067

VH336068

VH336069

VH336070

VH336066

11/10/2015
118

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH268936

18. How often do you use math in everyday life outside of school?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day

VH268945

19. How often do you participate in each of the following activities outside of
school? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Talk about math
problems with your
friends
b. Program computers
c. Attend after-school
tutoring with other
students
d. Play an instrument
and read music
e. Go to websites for
help with your math
homework

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

VH268946

VH268949

VH268958

VH268961

VH268962

VH336085

20. Have you ever helped your friends with their math homework?
A Yes
B No

11/10/2015
119

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH269037

21. Over the past seven days, how many days have you helped your friends with their
math homework? Enter the number of days.

VH269015

22. Have you ever participated in a summer program for math?
A Yes
B No

VH269016

23. Last summer, did you participate in a summer program for math?
A Yes
B No

VH336087

24. Have you ever participated in a math study group?
A Yes
B No

VH269039

25. Over the past seven days, how many days have you participated in a math study
group? Enter the number of days.

11/10/2015
120

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH269048

26. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH269049

VH269050

VH269053

VH269055

VH269056

VH269058

VH269059

VH269060

VH327502

VH327503

VH327504

VH327505

11/10/2015
121

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH336092

27. In your math class this school year, how often have you done each of the
following? Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH336093

VH336094

VH336095

VH336096

VH336097

VH336099

11/10/2015
122

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH350116

28. For school this year, how often do you work in pairs or small groups to talk about
something that you have done in math?
A Never
B About once or twice a year
C About once or twice a month
D About once or twice a week
E Every day or almost every day.

VH240001

29. How hard was this test compared to most other tests you have taken this year in
school?
A Easier than other tests
B About as hard as other tests
C Harder than other tests
D Much harder than other tests

VH240002

30. How hard did you try on this test compared to how hard you tried on most other
tests you have taken this year in school?
A Not as hard as on other tests
B About as hard as on other tests
C Harder than on other tests
D Much harder than on other tests

11/10/2015
123

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH240003

31. How important was it to you to do well on this test?
A Not very important
B Somewhat important
C Important
D Very important

VH260313

32. How easy or difficult was this test?
A Extremely difficult
B Quite difficult
C Somewhat difficult
D Somewhat easy
E Quite easy
F Extremely easy

VH260314

33. How many questions do you think you answered correctly on this test?
A None or almost none
B Some but less than half
C About half
D More than half but not all
E All or almost all

11/10/2015
124

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH337139

34. How similar were the questions on this test to the questions on your math quizzes
and tests at school?
A Not similar at all
B Not similar
C Somewhat similar
D Quite similar
E Extremely similar

VH260331

35. How much do you agree with each of the following statements? Select one answer
choice on each row.

a. I applied a lot of
effort to succeed on
this test.
b. Taking this test
was stressful.
c. Taking this test
was challenging.
d. I felt time pressure
when taking this
test.

Strongly
disagree

Disagree

Somewhat Somewhat
disagree
agree

Agree

Strongly
agree

VH260334

VH260335

VH260336

VH260338

11/10/2015
125

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH333658

36. How much effort did you apply to succeed on this test?
A No effort at all
B Very little effort
C Some effort
D Quite a bit of effort
E A lot of effort

VH333659

37. How stressful was taking this test?
A Not stressful at all
B A little stressful
C Somewhat stressful
D Quite stressful
E Extremely stressful

VH333660

38. How challenging was taking this test?
A Not challenging at all
B A little challenging
C Somewhat challenging
D Quite challenging
E Extremely challenging

11/10/2015
126

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Mathematics Student Items

VH333661

39. How much time pressure did you feel when taking this test?
A No time pressure at all
B A little bit of time pressure
C Some time pressure
D Quite a bit of time pressure
E A lot of time pressure

11/10/2015
127

Part II-j: 2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 Mathematics

128

[Grade 8 Mathematics: Student #1]
TBD
How often do you play digital games (for example, apps, video games, or computer games) outside
of school that involve math?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Never
About once or twice a year
About once or twice a month
About once or twice a week
Every day or almost every day

[Grade 8 Mathematics: Student #2]
TBD
How often do you use a computer, tablet, smartphone or gaming console outside of school to play
educational games that involve math?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Never
About once or twice a year
About once or twice a month
About once or twice a week
Every day or almost every day

[Grade 8 Mathematics: Student #3]
TBD
How often do you use a computer, tablet, smartphone or gaming console outside of school to play
popular games that involve math?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Never
About once or twice a year
About once or twice a month
About once or twice a week
Every day or almost every day

[Grade 8 Mathematics: Student #4]
TBD
Have you ever participated in a math study group outside of school?
A. Yes
B. No

[Grade 8 Mathematics: Student #5]
TBD
Over the past seven days, how many days have you participated in a math study group outside of
school? Enter the number of days.
_________

129

[Grade 8 Mathematics: Student #6]
TBD
Have you ever participated in a math study group at school?
A. Yes
B. No

[Grade 8 Mathematics: Student #7]
TBD
Over the past seven days, how many days have you participated in a math study group at school?
Enter the number of days.
_________

130

[Grade 8 Mathematics: Student #8]
TBD
Thinking about math, do you think that you would be able to do each of the following? Do not actually solve
the problems. Select one answer choice on each row.
I definitely I probably Maybe I probably I definitely
can’t
can’t
can
can
a. Draw a bar graph to represent
A
B
C
D
E
TBD
the number of desks, chairs,
and tables in your classroom
b. Use a box plot to represent
A
B
C
D
E
TBD
the height, in inches, of all of
the students in your class
c. Determine the probability of
A
B
C
D
E
TBD
picking a blue marble without
looking if you know the
number of marbles of each
color in a bag
d. List all of the different
A
B
C
D
E
TBD
possible outcomes when a
coin is flipped three times
e. Create an expression that
A
B
C
D
E
TBD
represents the average
number of miles you run in a
week if you run 100 miles in w
weeks
f. Create an expression to show
A
B
C
D
E
TBD
how old you will be in n years
if you are 8 years old today
g. Create an expression that
A
B
C
D
E
TBD
shows number of wheels on n
wagons if each wagon has 4
wheels
h. Explain how you know the
number of books you can buy
if you know the price of each
book and you have $35

TBD

131

Part II-k: 2012 Pilot Grade 4 Writing

132

SECTION

Section

This section has 19 questions. Select only one circle for each question except where
instructed otherwise.
VE588764

VE594203

1. In a day, about how much time do you
spend writing on paper for school
assignments?

4. In a day, about how much time do you
spend writing on a computer on your
own and not for school—for example,
writing stories, keeping a journal,
e-mailing, or blogging?

A None
B About 10 minutes

A None

C About 30 minutes

B About 10 minutes

D About 1 hour

C About 30 minutes

E More than 1 hour

D About 1 hour
E More than 1 hour
VE594192

2. In a day, about how much time do you
spend writing on a computer for school
assignments?

VE634283

5. For school this year, how often do you
write to explain something you have
read or know about?

A None
B About 10 minutes

A Never or hardly ever

C About 30 minutes

B A few times a year

D About 1 hour

C Once or twice a month

E More than 1 hour

D At least once a week
VE588767

VE588769

3. In a day, about how much time do you
spend writing on paper on your own
and not for school—for example,
writing stories or keeping a journal?

6. For school this year, how often do you
write about your own experiences?

A Never or hardly ever

A None

B A few times a year

B About 10 minutes

C Once or twice a month

C About 30 minutes

D At least once a week

D About 1 hour
E More than 1 hour

I1WXB1-CBA

Page 1

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

133

Section

4
VE607040

VE607045

7. For school this year, how often do
you write to convince or persuade
someone?

10. For school this year, how often do you
write reports?

A Never or hardly ever
A Never or hardly ever
B A few times a year
B A few times a year
C Once or twice a month
C Once or twice a month
D At least once a week
D At least once a week
VE588793

11. For school this year, how often do you
look for information on the Internet to
include in your writing?

VE588781

8. For school this year, how often do you
write letters?

A Never or hardly ever

B A few times a year

C Once or twice a month

D At least once a week

D At least once a week
VE588783

VE607048

9. For school this year, how often do you
write stories?

12. For school this year, how often do you
look for pictures, sounds, or video files
on the Internet to help you with your
writing?

A Never or hardly ever
B A few times a year

A Never or hardly ever

C Once or twice a month

B A few times a year

D At least once a week

C Once or twice a month
D At least once a week

I1WXB1-CBA

Page 2

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

134

Section

VE588797

4
VE401773

13. How often do you write to your friends
or family using the Internet—for
example, e-mails, blogs, text messages,
instant messages, or personal web
pages?

17. How hard was this test compared to
most other tests you have taken this
year in school?

A Easier than other tests

A Never or hardly ever

B About as hard as other tests

B Once or twice a month

C Harder than other tests

C Once or twice a week

D Much harder than other tests

D Every day or almost every day
VE401776

18. How hard did you try on this test
compared to how hard you tried on
most other tests you have taken this
year in school?

VE588804

14. Writing is one of my favorite activities.

A This is not like me.
A Not as hard as on other tests
B This is a little like me.
B About as hard as on other tests
C This is a lot like me.
C Harder than on other tests
D Much harder than on other tests

VE588806

15. Writing allows me to express my ideas.

A This is not like me.

VE401779

19. How important was it to you to do
well on this test?

B This is a little like me.

A Not very important

C This is a lot like me.

B Somewhat important
VE634284

16. How do you prefer to take a writing
test?

C Important
D Very important

A On computer
B On paper
C It does not matter.

I1WXB1-CBA

Page 3

STOP
135

Part II-l: 2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing

136

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH312124

1. When you work on a longer writing assignment (for example, an assignment of two
or more pages), how often do you typically do each of the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.

a. Organize my ideas
before I write (for
example, by creating
an outline)
b. Write a first draft
c. Reread and revise my
draft writing
d. Use word processing
software to revise my
own writing (for
example, to use the
backspace key or cut,
copy, and paste text
using the computer
keyboard)
e. Use a spell-check in
word processing
software
f. Use a thesaurus or
dictionary in word
processing software

Never or
hardly ever

Less than
half of the
time

About half
of the time

More than
half of the
time

All or
almost all of
the time

VH312137

VH312140

VH312141

VH312791

VH312792

VH312795

6/5/2015
137

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH311844

2. In your English/language arts class this year, how often do you get the following
writing assignments? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Assignments that you
have to complete
under a strict time
limit
b. Assignments that you
have to complete
within one session
c. Assignments that you
can work on over
extended periods of
time (for example,
several class periods)
d. Assignments that you
have to complete
together with other
students
e. Assignments that you
have to complete on a
desktop or laptop
computer
f. Assignments of two or
more pages (for
example, a paper or
report)

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH311859

VH311876

VH311881

VH312058

VH312062

VH312074

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
138

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH312796

3. In your English/language arts class this year, how often do you practice each of the
following? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Using correct grammar
in writing
b. Using new vocabulary
in writing
c. Typing on a keyboard
d. Using word processing
software to edit and
revise text
e. Organizing ideas in
writing (for example,
outlining the order of
my ideas before
writing, re-organizing
my ideas when I
revise)
f. Writing for different
audiences or readers
g. Writing for different
purposes (for example,
writing to persuade or
writing to explain)
h. Writing different
forms of text (for
example, an essay,
letter, or story)
i. Citing sources
correctly in writing
j. Improving writing by
revising first drafts
k. Using details to
develop ideas in
writing

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH312797

VH312801

VH312802

VH312803

VH312806

VH312807

VH312808

VH313344

VH313380

VH313384

VH313385

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
139

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH314230

4. In your English/language arts class this year, how often do you use each of the
following for writing? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Paper and pen/pencil
b. Desktop or laptop
computer
c. Tablet (for example,
Surface Pro, iPad,
Kindle Fire)
d. Other digital device
(Please specify):
____________________

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

VH314232

VH314234

VH314235

VH314238

VH314380

5. How often do you use each of the following for writing outside of school? Select one
answer choice on each row.

a. Paper and pen/pencil
b. Desktop or laptop
computer
c. Tablet (for example,
Surface Pro, iPad,
Kindle Fire)
d. Other digital device
(Please specify):
____________________

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH314383

VH314385

VH314386

VH314387

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
140

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH314690

6. During this school year, how often do you do each of the following outside of
school? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Participate in online
discussions on a
website (for example,
in forums or social
networks)
b. Write for a blog,
website, or online
newspaper
c. Practice my
keyboarding skills
d. Write journal entries
e. Get tutoring to
improve my writing
f. Help others with their
writing
g. Engage in other
writing activities
outside of school
(Please specify):
____________________

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH314694

VH314695

VH314701

VH314702

VH314703

VH314708

VH314715

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
141

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH312241

7. In a typical week, how many days do you spend writing on your own and not for
school—for example, writing stories or keeping a journal at home? Fill in a number
between 0 and 7.
days

VH336429

8. In a typical school week, on about how many days do you get writing assignments
of a paragraph or more during each of the following classes? Fill in a number between
0 and 5 on each row.
English/language arts class

days
days

Social studies class such as history, civics, government, or geography
Science class
Mathematics class

days
days

VH312229

9. During this school year, how often do you get writing assignments of a paragraph or
more during each of the following classes? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. English/language
arts class
b. Social studies class
such as history,
civics, government,
or geography
c. Science class
d. Mathematics class

Never

About
once or
twice a
year

About
once or
twice a
month

About
once or
twice a
week

Every day
or almost
every day

VH312230

VH312231

VH312232

VH312233

I don’t
take this
class.

6/5/2015
142

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH312244

10. For school this year, how often do you typically write for each of the following
purposes? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. To explain something
that you know or have
read
b. To convince or
persuade someone
c. To describe a real
experience (for
example, write about
factual events or
personal experiences)
d. To describe an
imagined experience
(for example, tell a
fictional story)
e. To summarize (for
example, write a
summary of a longer
text or story)
f. To analyze (for
example, collect and
describe evidence for
an issue or argument)

Never

About once
or twice a
year

About once
or twice a
month

VH312245

VH312246

VH312247

VH312248

VH312249

VH312250

About once Every day or
or twice a
almost
week
every day

6/5/2015
143

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH242613

11. For school this year, how often do you write for each of the following purposes? The
writing could be on paper or on a computer. Select one answer choice on each row.
Never or
hardly ever

A few times a
year

VH242614

VH242615

VH242616

a. To explain something that
you know or have read
b. To convince or persuade
someone
c. To convey a real or
imagined experience

Once or twice At least once a
a month
week

VH312323

12. For school this year, how often do you use each of the following when you write a
paper or report? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Use the Internet to
look for information to
include in the paper or
report
b. Use a computer or
other digital device
from the beginning to
write the paper or
report (for example,
use a computer to
write the first draft
and final draft)
c. Use a computer or
other digital device to
make changes to the
paper or report (for
example, spell-check
or cut and paste)
d. Use a computer or
other digital device to
complete your writing

Never or
hardly ever

Once in a
while

Sometimes

Often

Always or
almost
always

VH312325

VH312326

VH312327

VH312328

6/5/2015
144

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH242650

13. For school this year, how often do you use each of the following when you write a
paper or report? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. Use the Internet to look for
information to include in
the paper or report
b. Use a computer from the
beginning to write the
paper or report (for
example, use a computer to
write the first draft)
c. Use a computer to make
changes to the paper or
report (for example,
spell-check or cut and
paste)
d. Use a computer to
complete your writing

Never or
hardly ever

Sometimes

Very often

Always or
almost always

VH242653

VH242651

VH242654

VH242652

VH312339

14. In a typical week, how many pages are you assigned to write for homework in each
of the following subjects? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. English/language
arts
b. Social studies
c. Science
d. Mathematics

I don’t
take this
class.

None

Up to one
page

One to
three
pages

VH312340

VH312341

VH312342

VH312343

Four to
More than
five pages five pages

6/5/2015
145

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH314998

15. Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.

a. Write a paper using
correct grammar
b. Write a paper without
spelling mistakes
c. Write clear and
complete sentences
d. Choose words in my
writing that will
effectively
communicate my
ideas
e. Judge the reliability of
an online source for
use in my writing (for
example, whether a
source from the
Internet is biased)
f. Cite others for their
ideas in my writing
(for example, citing
sources, providing the
references I used in my
reports)

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH315010

VH315014

VH315016

VH315032

VH312010

VH312011

6/5/2015
146

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH311950

16. Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.

a. Create an outline prior
to writing
b. Write a well-organized
essay with an
introduction, body,
and conclusion
c. Write a paragraph with
a clear topic sentence
d. Quickly come up with
ideas about what to
write for a timed
writing task
e. Start an essay with a
clear introduction
f. End an essay with a
strong conclusion
g. Complete a first draft
of an essay within a
class period

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH311951

VH311952

VH311953

VH311954

VH311956

VH311957

VH311958

6/5/2015
147

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH311980

17. Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following? Select one answer
choice on each row.

a. Explain something in
my writing
b. Convince someone
about something in
my writing
c. Tell an imaginary
story in my writing
d. Present a clear
position in my writing
e. Support a position
with reasons and
examples in my
writing
f. Take different points
of view into account
in my persuasive
writing

I definitely
can’t

I probably
can’t

Maybe

I probably
can

I definitely
can

VH311982

VH311983

VH311984

VH311985

VH311986

VH311987

6/5/2015
148

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH312034

18. Thinking about your English/language arts class this year, how much does each of
the following statements describe a person like you? Select one answer choice on each
row.

a. I want to improve how
I express my ideas.
b. I want to keep people
from thinking I’m a
poor writer.
c. I want to get a good
grade in the class.
d. I want to hide that I
have a hard time
writing.
e. I want to become a
better writer.
f. I want to have my
classmates believe I
can write well.
g. I want to pass my
English/language arts
class.
h. I want to avoid
making mistakes in
front of my
classmates.
i. I want to be a better
writer than my
classmates.
j. I want to hide how
nervous I am about
writing.
k. I want my teacher to
think I am a good
writer.
l. I want to better
organize my ideas
when writing.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH312038

VH312039

VH312040

VH312041

VH312042

VH312043

VH312044

VH312045

VH312048

VH312049

VH312050

VH312051

6/5/2015
149

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH312352

19. How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you? Select
one answer choice on each row.

a. Writing is one of my
favorite activities.
b. Writing is easy for me.
c. I don’t like to write.
d. I enjoy expressing my
thoughts in writing.
e. I try to avoid writing
as much as possible.
f. I enjoy sharing my
writing with others.

Not at all
like me

A little bit
like me

Somewhat
like me

Quite a bit
like me

Exactly like
me

VH312353

VH312356

VH312358

VH314723

VH314729

VH314733

VH271279

20. Which best describes the way you type on a keyboard?
A I don’t know how to type using a keyboard.
B I have to search for where the letter keys are.
C I know where most of the letter keys are.
D I can type without looking at the keyboard.
E I type using a way other than both hands.

VH336201

21. Which best describes the way you type on a keyboard?
A I don’t know how to type using a keyboard.
B I can type with one or two fingers, but I have to search for where the letter keys are.
C I can type with one or two fingers, and I know where most of the letter keys are.
D I can type with all ten fingers when I look at the keyboard.
E I can type with all ten fingers without looking at the keyboard.
F I type using a way other than both hands.

6/5/2015
150

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH242642

22. Did you use the paper and pencil you were given to make notes, plan, or organize
your writing for this test? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. For the first writing task on this test
b. For the second writing task on this test

Yes

VH242643

VH242645

VH242646

23. Did you use the computer to make notes, plan, or organize your writing for this
test? Select one answer choice on each row.

a. For the first writing task on this test
b. For the second writing task on this test

Yes

VH242647

VH242649

VH240001

24. How hard was this test compared to most other tests you have taken this year in
school?
A Easier than other tests
B About as hard as other tests
C Harder than other tests
D Much harder than other tests

VH240002

25. How hard did you try on this test compared to how hard you tried on most other
tests you have taken this year in school?
A Not as hard as on other tests
B About as hard as on other tests
C Harder than on other tests
D Much harder than on other tests

6/5/2015
151

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH240003

26. How important was it to you to do well on this test?
A Not very important
B Somewhat important
C Important
D Very important

VH260313

27. How easy or difficult was this test?
A Extremely difficult
B Quite difficult
C Somewhat difficult
D Somewhat easy
E Quite easy
F Extremely easy

VH337141

28. How similar were the questions on this test to the questions on your writing
quizzes and tests at school?
A Not similar at all
B Not similar
C Somewhat similar
D Quite similar
E Extremely similar

6/5/2015
152

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH260331

29. How much do you agree with each of the following statements? Select one answer
choice on each row.
Strongly
disagree

Disagree

a. I applied a lot of
effort to succeed on
this test.
b. Taking this test
was stressful.
c. Taking this test
was challenging.
d. I felt time pressure
when taking this
test.

Somewhat Somewhat
disagree
agree

Agree

Strongly
agree

VH260334

VH260335

VH260336

VH260338

VH333658

30. How much effort did you apply to succeed on this test?
A No effort at all
B Very little effort
C Some effort
D Quite a bit of effort
E A lot of effort

VH333659

31. How stressful was taking this test?
A Not stressful at all
B A little stressful
C Somewhat stressful
D Quite stressful
E Extremely stressful

6/5/2015
153

2016 Pilot Grade 8 Writing Student Items

VH333660

32. How challenging was taking this test?
A Not challenging at all
B A little challenging
C Somewhat challenging
D Quite challenging
E Extremely challenging

VH333661

33. How much time pressure did you feel when taking this test?
A No time pressure at all
B A little bit of time pressure
C Some time pressure
D Quite a bit of time pressure
E A lot of time pressure

6/5/2015
154

Part II-m: 2014 Operational Grade 8 Civics

155

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for each question except where instructed otherwise.

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VC467353

1. In which of the following grades did you learn about civics or government? Fill in one
oval on each line.
I don’t
Yes

know.

a. 5th grade

VC467355

b. 6th grade

VC467356

c. 7th grade

VC467357

d. 8th grade

VE131733

VB594977

2. How often do you study social studies in school?

Never or hardly ever
Once or twice a month
Once or twice a week
Almost every day

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3. During this school year, have you studied any of the following topics? Fill in one oval on
each line.

1
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1

Yes

I don’t know.

a. The United States Constitution

ID100217

b. Congress

ID100218

c. The President and the cabinet

ID100219

d. How laws are made

ID100220

e. The court system

ID100221

f. Political parties, elections, and voting

ID100222

g. State and local government

ID100223

h. Other countries’ governments

ID100224

i. International organizations (such as the United
Nations)

ID100225

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4. Indicate how often you do each of the following when you study social studies or civics
or government in school. Fill in one oval on each line.

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Never

A few
times a
year

Once or
twice a
month

Once or
twice a
week

Almost
every
day

a. Read material from a
textbook

VE132269

b. Read extra material not in
the regular textbook (e.g.,
newspapers, magazines,
maps, charts, or cartoons)

VE132303

c. Discuss the material
studied

VE132307

d. Write short answers (a
paragraph or less) to
questions

VE132309

e. Write a report

VE132316

VE132322

g. Give a presentation to
the class on the topic
being studied

VE132323

h. Watch movies or videos

VE132324

Take a test or quiz

VE132326

Go on field trips or have
outside speakers

VE132327

k. Use the books or
computers in the library
to do schoolwork

VE132330

VE132333

VE132335

m. Discuss current events

VE132338

n. Take part in debates or
panel discussions
o. Take part in role-playing,
mock trials, or dramas

VE132340

Work on a group project

Write a letter to give your
opinion or help solve a
community problem

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VE112830

5. This year in school, how often have
you been asked to write long answers
to questions or assignments that
involved social studies?

7. When you study social studies, to what
extent do you use computers to do
research projects about social studies
topics using a CD or the Internet?
Include both class work and homework
assignments.

Never
Once or twice this year

Not at all

Once or twice a month

Small extent

At least once a week

Moderate extent

1
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Large extent
VB594979

6. How often do you use computers at
school for social studies?

Never or hardly ever
Once every few weeks
About once a week
Two or three times a week
Every day

VC681400

8. When you study social studies or civics or government, how often do you agree with the
following statements? Fill in one oval on each line.
Never
or hardly
ever
Sometimes

Often

Always
or almost
always

a. I have a clear understanding of
what my social studies or civics or
government teacher is asking me to do.

VC681401

b. The social studies or civics or
government work is easy.

VC681402

c. The social studies or civics or
government work is difficult.

VC681403

d. The social studies or civics or
government work is interesting.

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VC681404

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VE132747

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VB595184

9. How much do you agree that social
studies or civics or government is one
of your favorite subjects?

12. How important was it to you to do
well on this test?

Not very important

Not at all

Somewhat important

A little

Important

A lot

Very important
VB595182

10. How hard was this test compared to
most other tests you have taken this
year in school?

Easier than other tests
About as hard as other tests
Harder than other tests
Much harder than other tests
VC034559

11. How hard did you try on this test
compared to how hard you tried on
most other tests you have taken this
year in school?

Not as hard as on other tests
About as hard as on other tests
Harder than on other tests
Much harder than on other tests

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Part II-n: 2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 Civics

161

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #1]
In which of the following grades have you learned about civics and United States government?

Yes, I took a class
or course mainly
focused on civics
and United States
government.

Select one or more answer choices on each row.

Yes, I took a class
or course that No, I did not take
included some
a class or course
civics and United that taught civics
States
and United States
government
government
topics.
topics.

I don't know.

5th grade

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #2]
In your social studies class this year, how often have you studied the following topics?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the lessons

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
lessons
the lessons
the lessons

The United States Constitution

The legislative branch (for example, Congress)

The executive branch (for example, the President and the cabinet)

The judicial branch (for example, the court system)

How laws are made

Political parties, elections, and voting

State and local government

Other countries’ governments

International organizations (for example, the United Nations)

Current political events

Issues affecting our society today

162

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #3]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

Every day or
almost every day

Read material from a civics or United States government textbook

Read extra material about civics and United States government not
in the regular textbook (for example, newspapers, magazines,
online sources)
Discuss material about civics and United States government with
peers or teachers

Listen to the teacher talk about civics and United States government
topics
Conduct research about civics and United States government topics
(for example, in a library or through interviews or observations)

Listen to and/or view online content about civics and United States
government topics

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #4]
During this school year so far, how often have you done each of the following?

a.
b.

Select one answer choice on each row.
Gone on class field trips to learn about civics and United States
government topics
Gave class presentations on civics and United States government
topics

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #5]
During this school year so far, how often have you done each of the following?

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

Took part in political debates or panel discussions
Took part in role-playing, mock trials, or dramas about civics and
American government topics

Worked with an organization on an issue in the community

Attended a community event (for example, a city council meeting
or a fundraiser for a local school)

a.
b.

Select one answer choice on each row.
Written about your position on community problems or social
issues (for example, in a letter, e-mail, or blog post)

163

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #6]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following when you study civics or United States government?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

Study the roles and functions of the three branches of the United
States government

Study the rights and responsibilities of United States citizens

Study how the United States influences and is influenced by world
affairs

Compare the roles and responsibilities of United States local, state,
and national government

Study why it is important to pay attention to government and public
affairs

Study why it is important for individuals to participate in the
political process and/or government

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #7]

During this school year, how often do you do each of the following when you study civics or United States government?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

Support an opinion about an issue or problem with reasons and
examples

Discuss politics or public affairs with others

164

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #8]

In your social studies class this year, how often do you get the following assignments?

a.
b.
c.

Select one answer choice on each row.
Assignments that you have to complete together with other
students

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the lessons

Short written responses (for example, a paragraph or less)
Assignments that use different forms of media (for example,
photos, video, music)

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
lessons
the lessons
the lessons

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #9]
In your social studies class this year so far, how often have you received the following assignments?
Select one answer choice on each row.
a.
b.

Long written responses (for example, several paragraphs)
Responses to questions based on information from several
documents (for example, letters, cartoons, maps)

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #10]
In a typical week, how much time do you spend on social studies
homework?

Less than 30
minutes a day

30 minutes up to 1 1 up to 2 hours a
hour a day
day

2 up to 3 hours a
day

3 up to 4 hours a More than 4 hours
day
a day

165

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #11]
When you study social studies, how often do you use computers or
other digital devices to do the following? For this question, include
both schoolwork and homework assignments.

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Once in a while

Sometimes

Often

Always or almost
always

Organize information about civics or United States government
topics by creating tables, charts, or graphs

Create multimedia reports or projects about civics or United States
government (for example, a slide presentation that combines text
and video clips)

Participate in online discussions about civics or United States
government on a website (for example, in forums or social media)

Use the Internet to look for evidence or sources (for example, text
documents, photographic images, films)

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #12]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Civics and United States government are my favorite topics to study.

Schoolwork about civics and United States government is easy for
me.

I don't like schoolwork about civics and United States government.

I enjoy doing schoolwork about civics and United States
government.

I try to avoid my schoolwork about civics and United States
government as much as possible.

I enjoy discussing civics and United States government topics with
others.

My civics or United States government schoolwork helps me
understand what is happening in the world around me.

Learning about civics and United States government topics will be
important for my future.

166

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #13]

How much education do you think you will complete?

I will not finish
high school.

I will graduate
from high school.

I will have some
education after
high school.

I will graduate
from college.

I will go to
graduate school.

I don't know.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #14]

What do you expect that your main activity will be in the year after
you leave high school?

Attending a
vocational,
technical, or
business school

Working full time

Attending a fouryear college,
Attending a two- service academy,
year college
or university

Serving in the
military

Other

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #15]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following outside of school?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

Every day or
almost every day

Read about current political events in the media

Watch movies, videos, and/or TV programs about current political
events

Communicate with public officials about an issue or problem

Participate in volunteer activities in your community

Talk about politics or public affairs with others

Discuss current political events or issues with people in my home

Participate in a community organization

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

Every day or
almost every day

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #16]

How often do you receive help from a tutor, family member, or
friend with social studies outside of school or after school?

167

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #17]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

I am committed to serve in my community.

I think that it is important to volunteer.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #18]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

I am involved in volunteer opportunities in the community.

I work to improve my community.

I help members of my community.

I stay informed of events in my community.

I participate in discussions about issues that affect my community.

I contribute to charitable organizations within the community.
I am involved in volunteer opportunities in the community as part
of a school or class requirement.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #19]
How much do you agree with the following statements?
Select one answer choice on each row.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Not at all

A little bit

Somewhat

Quite a bit

A lot

I believe I can make a difference in my community.
By working with others in the community, I can help make things
better.

Being actively involved in community issues is my responsibility.
Being concerned about state and local issues is an important
responsibility for everybody.
I have good ideas for programs and projects that would help solve
problems in my community.
In the next three years, I expect to be involved in improving my
community.

168

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #20]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person
like you?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

I want other students to think I am a good civics or United States
government student.

I want to show others that my civics or United States government
schoolwork is easy for me.

I want to look smart in comparison to the other students in my class.

I want to get better grades than most other students in my class.

I want to avoid making mistakes in front of my classmates.

I want to hide that I have a hard time understanding the material in
my class.

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #21]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person
like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

I want to learn as much as possible in my class.

I want to master a lot of new skills in my class.

I want to pass my class.

I want to become a better civics or United States government
student this year.

I want to get good grades in my class.

I want to understand as much as I can in my class.

169

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #22]

Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following?
Select one answer choice on each row.

I definitely can't

I probably can't

Maybe

I probably can

I definitely can

Explain the roles and functions of the three branches of the United
States government

Explain the rights and responsibilities of United States citizens

Explain how the United States influences and is influenced by world
affairs

Compare the roles and responsibilities of United States local, state,
and national government

Explain why it is important to pay attention to government and
public affairs

Explain why it is important for individuals to participate in the
political process and/or government

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #23]
Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following?
Select one answer choice on each row.

I definitely can't

I probably can't

Maybe

I probably can

I definitely can

Support an opinion about an issue or problem with reasons and
examples

Discuss politics or public affairs with others

I definitely can't

I probably can't

Maybe

I probably can

I definitely can

Understand other people's perspectives on social issues (for
example, neighborhood safety, Internet privacy, and environmental
conservation)

Form an effective plan for addressing social issues

Use social media to change perceptions of an issue

Talk effectively to adults about social issues

Facilitate a discussion about a social issue

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #24]
Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following?
Select one answer choice on each row.

170

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Civics Student #25]
In your social studies class this school year, how often have you done each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

I came to my social studies class prepared.

I remembered and followed directions from my social studies
teacher.

I started working on social studies assignments right away rather
than waiting until the last minute.

I paid attention and resisted distractions during social studies class.

I stayed on task without reminders from my social studies teacher.

I paid attention in my social studies class even when I was not
interested.

171

Part II-o: 2014 Operational Grade 8 Geography

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This section has 12 questions. Mark your answers in your booklet. Fill in only one oval
for each question except where instructed otherwise.

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1. Did you take or do you expect to take a geography course in the following grades?
Fill in one oval on each line.

VB330180

elopment

Yes

I don’t know.

a. 5th grade

VE101297

b. 6th grade

VB345593

c. 7th grade

VB345594

d. 8th grade

VB345595

VC472881

2. In this school year, how often have you learned about geography?

Never or hardly ever
A few times a year
Once or twice a month

VB330422

Once or twice a week
Every day or almost every day
VB345597

3. How often have you studied the following geography skills and topics in school? Fill in one
oval on each line.

|
|
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1
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2
1

Once or
twice a
month

Never or
hardly
ever

a. Using maps and globes

VB345598

b. Natural resources
(for example, oil, forests,
and water)

VB345599

c. Countries and cultures

VB345600

d. Environmental issues
(for example, pollution
and recycling)

VB345601

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Once or
twice a
week

Almost
every
day

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4. Indicate how often you do each of the following when you study social studies or
4. Indicate how often you do each of the following when you study social studies or
geography in school. Fill in one oval on each line.
geography in school. Fill in one oval on each line.

a. Read material from a
a. Read material from a
textbook
textbook

|
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VE117406
VE117406

2
1
P
7

4
2

Never
Never

A few
A fewa
times
times
year a
year

Once or
Once
twiceor
a
twice
montha
month

Once or
Once
twiceor
a
twice
weeka
week

Almost
Almost
every
every
day
day

VE117427
VE117427

VE117428
VE117428

7
4
2
1

|
|

P
7
4

2
1

5. This yea
5. This yea
you bee
you bee
to quest
to quest
involved
involved

Nev

Nev
Onc

Onc

b. Read extra material not in
b. Read extra material not in
the regular textbook (e.g.,
the regular textbook (e.g.,
newspapers, magazines,
newspapers, magazines,
maps, charts, or cartoons)
maps, charts, or cartoons)

c. Discuss the material
c. Discuss the material
studied
studied

VE117429
VE117429

d. Write short answers (a
d. Write short answers (a
paragraph or less) to
paragraph or less) to
questions
questions

VE117430
VE117430

e. Write a report
e. Write a report

VE117431
VE117431

f. Work on a group project
f. Work on a group project

VE117432
VE117432

g. Give a presentation to the
g. Give a presentation to the
class on the topic being
class on the topic being
studied
studied

VE117433
VE117433

h. Watch movies or videos
h. Watch movies or videos

VE117435
VE117435

i. Take a test or quiz
i. Take a test or quiz

VE117437
VE117437

j. Go on field trips or have
j. Go on field trips or have
outside speakers
outside speakers

VE117438
VE117438

k. Use the books or
k. Use the books or
computers in the library
computers in the library
to do schoolwork
to do schoolwork

VE117439
VE117439

l. Listen to information
l. Listen to information
presented online
presented online

Onc

Onc
At l

At l

7. When y
7. When y
followin
followin
one ova
one ova

a. Do re
a. Do re
studie
studie
Intern
Intern

b. Use c
b. Use c
you p
you p
geogr
geogr
histor
histor

c. Creat
c. Creat
inform
inform

d. Organ
d. Organ
by ma
by ma
on th
on th

e. Write
e. Write
social
social

VE131746
VE131746

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f. Comb
f. Comb
to cre
to cre
projec
projec
P

g. Use e
g. Use e
comm
comm
social
social

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VE117406

2
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VB594978
VB594978

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5. This year in school, how often have
5. This year in school, how often have
you been asked to write long answers
you been asked to write long answers
to questions or assignments that
to questions or assignments that
involved social studies?
involved social studies?

VE117427
VE117427

6. How often do you use a computer at
school for social studies?

Every day

Never

Never
Once or twice this year

Two or three times a week

Once or twice a month

Once or twice a month
At least once a week

Once every few weeks

Once or twice this year

VE117428
VE117428

About once a week

At least once a week

Never or hardly ever

VE117429
VE117429
VE131505
VE131505

7. When you study social studies, to what extent do you use computers to do any of the
7. When you study social studies, to what extent do you use computers to do any of the
following? For this question, include both class work and homework assignments. Fill in
following? For this question, include both class work and homework assignments. Fill in
one oval on each line.
one oval on each line.

VE117430
VE117430

VE117431
VE117431

VE117432
VE117432

VE117433
VE117433

VE117435
VE117435

VE117437
VE117437

VE117438
VE117438

4
2

Section

a. Do research projects about social
a. Do research projects about social
studies topics using a CD or the
studies topics using a CD or the
Internet
Internet
b. Use computer programs in which
b. Use computer programs in which
you play the role of an explorer,
you play the role of an explorer,
geographer, anthropologist, or
geographer, anthropologist, or
historian
historian
c. Create or use maps using geographic
c. Create or use maps using geographic
information systems (GIS)
information systems (GIS)
d. Organize social studies information
d. Organize social studies information
by making tables, charts, or graphs
by making tables, charts, or graphs
on the computer
on the computer

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e. Write reports or other things about
e. Write reports or other things about
social studies on the computer
social studies on the computer

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f. Combine words, images, and sounds
f. Combine words, images, and sounds
to create multimedia reports or
to create multimedia reports or
projects about social studies
projects about social studies
P

g. Use e-mail or the Internet to
g. Use e-mail or the Internet to
communicate with others about
communicate with others about
social studies
social studies

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Not
allat
all

Small
Small
extent
extent

Moderate
Moderate
extent
extent

Large
Large
extent
extent

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y

or
or

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8. When you study social studies or geography, how often do you agree with the following
statements? Fill in one oval on each line.
Often

Always
or almost
always

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2
1

a. I have a clear understanding of what
my social studies or geography
teacher is asking me to do.

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b. The social studies or geography work
is easy.

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c. The social studies or geography work
is difficult.

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d. The social studies or geography work
is interesting.

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Never or
hardly
ever
Sometimes

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9. How much do you agree that social
studies or geography is one of your
favorite subjects?

11. How hard did you try on this test
compared to how hard you tried on
most other tests you have taken this
year in school?

Not at all

Not as hard as on other tests

A little

About as hard as on other tests

A lot

Harder than on other tests
Much harder than on other tests

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10. How hard was this test compared to
most other tests you have taken this
year in school?

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12. How important was it to you to do
well on this test?

Easier than other tests
About as hard as other tests

Not very important

Harder than other tests

Somewhat important

Much harder than other tests

Important
P

Very important

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176

Part II-p: 2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 Geography

177

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #1]
In which of the following grades have you learned about geography?

Select one or more answer choices on each row.

Yes, I took a class Yes, I took a class No, I did not take
or course mainly
or course that
a class or course
focused on
included some
that taught
geography.
geography topics. geography topics.

I don't know.

5th grade

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #2]
In your social studies class this year, how often have you studied the following skills and topics?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

Every day or
almost every day

Using physical or digital maps (for example, a road map, MapQuest,
or Google Maps) and globes

Natural resources (for example, oil, forests, and water)

Countries and cultures

Environmental issues (for example, pollution, recycling, climate
change, genetically modified food)

178

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #3]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

Every day or
almost every day

Read material from a geography textbook

Read extra material about geography not in the regular textbook
(for example, newspapers, magazines, online sources)

Discuss material about geography with peers or teachers

Listen to the teacher talk about geography topics
Conduct research about geography topics (for example, in a library
or through interviews or observations)

Listen to and/or view online content about geography topics

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #4]
During this school year so far, how often have you done each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

Gone on class field trips to learn about geography topics

Gave class presentations on geography topics

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #5]
During this school year so far, how often have you done each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

a.
b.
c.

Written about your position on geographic problems or issues (for
example, in a letter, e-mail, or blog post)
Took part in environmental debates or panel discussions
Worked with an organization on an environmental issue in the
community

179

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #6]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following when you study geography?
Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

Examine how information moves from place to place
Examine how natural features of the Earth, for example rivers and
mountains, are formed

Measure distances and areas on maps

Examine what makes different regions in the United States unique

Examine different types of weather and climate

Select one answer choice on each row.

Use a map (for example, a road map, MapQuest, or Google Maps),
atlas, or globe to locate different cities, countries, and continents

a.
b.

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #7]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following when you study geography?
Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

Examine how humans affect and adapt to the natural environment
Examine why different food and energy resources are traded
globally

Compare and contrast cultures, for example language and religion

Use geographic information, for example maps, satellite images, or
census data, to answer a question or solve a problem

Select one answer choice on each row.
a.
b.

Examine why groups of people migrate to different parts of the
world

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

180

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #8]
In your social studies class this year, how often do you get the following assignments?

a.
b.
c.

Select one answer choice on each row.
Assignments that you have to complete together with other
students

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the lessons

Short written responses (for example, a paragraph or less)
Assignments that use different forms of media (for example,
photos, video, music)

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
lessons
the lessons
the lessons

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #9]
In your social studies class this year so far, how often have you received the following assignments?
Select one answer choice on each row.
a.
b.

Long written responses (for example, several paragraphs)
Responses to questions based on information from several
documents (for example, letters, cartoons, maps)

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #10]
In a typical week, how much time do you spend on social studies
homework?

Less than 30
minutes a day

30 minutes up to 1 1 up to 2 hours a
hour a day
day

2 up to 3 hours a
day

3 up to 4 hours a More than 4 hours
day
a day

181

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #11]
When you study social studies, how often do you use computers or
other digital devices to do the following? For this question, include
both schoolwork and homework assignments.

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Once in a while

Sometimes

Often

Always or almost
always

Use games or apps in which you play the role of an explorer,
geographer, anthropologist, or historian

Create or use maps using geographic information systems (GIS)

Organize information about geography topics by creating tables,
charts, or graphs

Create multimedia reports or projects about geography (for
example, a slide presentation that combines text and video clips)

Participate in online discussions about geography on a website (for
example, in forums or social media)

Use the Internet to look for evidence or sources (for example, text
documents, photographic images, films)

182

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #12]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

Geography is one of my favorite subjects to study.

Schoolwork about geography is easy for me.

I don't like schoolwork about geography.

I enjoy doing schoolwork about geography.

I try to avoid my schoolwork about geography as much as possible.

I enjoy discussing geography topics with others.

My geography schoolwork helps me understand what is happening
in the world around me.

Learning about geography topics will be important for my future.

I will have some
education after
high school.

I will graduate
from college.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #13]

How much education do you think you will complete?

I will not finish
high school.

I will graduate
from high school.

I will go to
graduate school.

I don't know.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #14]

What do you expect that your main activity will be in the year after
you leave high school?

Working full time

Attending a
vocational,
technical, or
business school

Attending a fouryear college,
Attending a two- service academy,
year college
or university

Serving in the
military

183

Other

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #15]

During this school year, how many times have you done each of the following outside of school?

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

Every day or
almost every day

Use online mapping tools such as Google Maps or Bing Maps
Read news stories about current events related to physical systems
(for example, natural disasters, etc.)

Read about geographic issues

Participate in environmental conservation volunteer activities

Give friends or family directions on how to get somewhere

Look up geographic information in books or on the web

Travel to places outside of your town

Talk to friends or family about geographical topics

Select one answer choice on each row.
a.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #16]

How often do you receive help from a tutor, family member, or
friend with social studies outside of school or after school?

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

184

Every day or
almost every day

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #17]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person
like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

I want other students to think I am a good geography student.

I want to show others that my geography schoolwork is easy for me.

I want to look smart in comparison to the other students in my class.

I want to get better grades than most other students in my class.

I want to avoid making mistakes in front of my classmates.

I want to hide that I have a hard time understanding the material in
my class.

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #18]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person
like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

I want to learn as much as possible in my class.

I want to master a lot of new skills in my class.

I want to pass my class.

I want to become a better geography student this year.

I want to get good grades in my class.

I want to understand as much as I can in my class.

185

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #19]
Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following?
Select one answer choice on each row.

I definitely can't

I probably can't

Maybe

I probably can

I definitely can

Use a map (for example, a road map, MapQuest, or Google Maps),
atlas, or globe to locate different cities, countries, and continents

Explain how information moves from place to place

Describe how natural features of the Earth, for example rivers and
mountains, are formed

Measure distances and areas on maps

Describe what makes different regions in the United States unique

Describe different types of weather and climate

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #20]

Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following?
Select one answer choice on each row.

I definitely can't

I probably can't

Maybe

I probably can

I definitely can

Explain why groups of people migrate to different parts of the
world

Explain how humans affect and adapt to the natural environment

Explain why different food and energy resources are traded globally

Compare and contrast cultures, for example language and religion

Use geographic information, for example maps, satellite images, or
census data, to answer a question or solve a problem

186

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: Geography Student #21]
In your social studies class this school year, how often have you done each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

I came to my social studies class prepared.

I remembered and followed directions from my social studies
teacher.

I started working on social studies assignments right away rather
than waiting until the last minute.

I paid attention and resisted distractions during social studies class.

I stayed on task without reminders from my social studies teacher.

I paid attention in my social studies class even when I was not
interested.

187

Part II-q: 2014 Operational Grade 8 U.S. History

188

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This section has 12 questions. Mark your answers in your booklet. Fill in only one oval
for each question except where instructed otherwise.

4
2

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1. Did you take a United States history course in the following grades? Fill in one oval on
each line.
Yes

I don’t know.

a. 5th grade

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b. 6th grade

LC000106

c. 7th grade

LC000107

d. 8th grade

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2. Are you taking a United States history course now?

Yes
No

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3. Since the beginning of middle school or junior high school, how much have you studied
3. Since the beginning of middle school or junior high school, how much have you studied
the following periods of United States history? Fill in one oval on each line.
the following periods of United States history? Fill in one oval on each line.

|
|

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4
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4. When y
4. When y
followin
followin

Not at all
Not at all

Some
Some

A lot
A lot

a. The period before 1815: beginnings through
a. The period before 1815: beginnings through
the Revolution (e.g., colonization,
the Revolution (e.g., colonization,
settlement, revolution)
settlement, revolution)

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b. The period between 1815 and 1865:
b. The period between 1815 and 1865:
the new nation through the Civil War
the new nation through the Civil War
(e.g., expansion, reform, crisis of the
(e.g., expansion, reform, crisis of the
Union)
Union)

VB598173
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b. Read
b. Read
in th
in th
(e.g.
(e.g.
histo
histo

c. The period between 1865 and 1945:
c. The period between 1865 and 1945:
the development of modern America
the development of modern America
(e.g., Reconstruction, industrial growth,
(e.g., Reconstruction, industrial growth,
United States’ role in world affairs, the
United States’ role in world affairs, the
Great Depression, the First and Second
Great Depression, the First and Second
World Wars, immigration)
World Wars, immigration)

VB598174
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c. Use
c. Use
or es
or es
histo
histo

d. The period between 1945 and the present:
d. The period between 1945 and the present:
contemporary America (e.g., civil rights
contemporary America (e.g., civil rights
movement, women’s rights movement,
movement, women’s rights movement,
Korean and Vietnam wars, environmental
Korean and Vietnam wars, environmental
movement)
movement)

a. Read
a. Read
text
text

d. Disc
d. Disc
stud
stud

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e. Writ
e. Writ
para
para
ques
ques
f.
f.

Writ
Writ

g. Wor
g. Wor

h. Give
h. Give
the c
the c
bein
bein
i.
i.

Wat
Wat

j.
j.

Take
Take

k. Go o
k. Go o
outs
outs
l.
l.

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m. Liste
m. Liste
pres
pres

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Use
com
com
to do
to do

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4. When you study history or social studies in school, how often do you do each of the
4. When you study history or social studies in school, how often do you do each of the
following? Fill in one oval on each line.
following? Fill in one oval on each line.

VB598172
VB598172

a. Read material from a
a. Read material from a
textbook
textbook

VB598173
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b. Read extra material not
b. Read extra material not
in the regular textbook
in the regular textbook
(e.g., biographies or
(e.g., biographies or
historical stories)
historical stories)

VB598174
VB598174

c. Use letters, diaries,
c. Use letters, diaries,
or essays written by
or essays written by
historical people
historical people
d. Discuss the material
d. Discuss the material
studied
studied

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e. Write short answers (a
e. Write short answers (a
paragraph or less) to
paragraph or less) to
questions
questions
f.
f.

Write a report
Write a report

g. Work on a group project
g. Work on a group project
h. Give a presentation to
h. Give a presentation to
the class on the topic
the class on the topic
being studied
being studied

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Never
Never

A few
A fewa
times
times
year a
year

Once or
Once
twiceor
a
twice
montha
month

Once or
Once
twiceor
a
twice
weeka
week

Almost
Almost
every
every
day
day

Watch movies or videos
Watch movies or videos

j.
j.

Take a test or quiz
Take a test or quiz

k. Go on field trips or have
k. Go on field trips or have
outside speakers
outside speakers

l.
l.

Use the books or
Use the books or
computers in the library
computers in the library
to do schoolwork
to do schoolwork

m. Listen to information
m. Listen to information
presented online
presented online

7
4

i.
i.

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u studied

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5. This year in school, how often have
you been asked to write long answers
to questions or assignments for history
or social studies?

7. When you study history or social
7. When you study history or social
studies, to what extent do you use
studies, to what extent do you use
computers to do research projects
computers to do research projects
about history or social studies topics
about history or social studies topics
using a CD or the Internet? Include
using a CD or the Internet? Include
both class work and homework
both class work and homework
assignments.
assignments.

Never
Once or twice this year

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9. How mu
9. How mu
or socia
or socia
subjects
subjects

Not
Not

A li

Not at all

lo
A
A lo

Not at all

Once or twice a month

Small extent
Small extent

At least once a week

10. How ha
10. How ha
most ot
most ot
year in s
year in s

Moderate extent
Moderate extent

Large extent

VB598169

Large extent

6. How often do you use computers at
school for history or social studies?

Eas
Eas

Abo

Never or hardly ever

Abo

Once every few weeks

Har
Har

About once a week

Two or three times a week

11. How ha
11. How ha
compare
compare
most ot
most ot
year in s
year in s

Every day

VC471044
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8. When you study social studies or history, how often do you agree with the following
8. When you study social studies or history, how often do you agree with the following
statements? Fill in one oval on each line.
statements? Fill in one oval on each line.
Never
orNever
hardly
or ever
hardly Sometimes
ever
Sometimes

Often
Often

Abo

Always
orAlways
almost
oralways
almost
always

a. I have a clear understanding of what
a. I have a clear understanding of what
my social studies or history teacher
my social studies or history teacher
is asking me to do.
is asking me to do.

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b. The social studies or history work is
b. The social studies or history work is
easy.
easy.

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c. The social studies or history work is
c. The social studies or history work is
difficult.
difficult.

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d. The social studies or history work is
d. The social studies or history work is
interesting.
interesting.

Not
Not

Abo

Har
Har

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ocial
ocial
ou use
ou use
ojects
ojects
es topics
es topics
Include
Include
ork
ork

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9. How much do you agree that history
9. How much do you agree that history
or social studies is one of your favorite
or social studies is one of your favorite
subjects?
subjects?

12. How important was it to you to do
well on this test?

Not very important

at all
Not
Not at all

A little

Somewhat important

A little

Important

lot
A
A lot

Very important
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10. How hard was this test compared to
10. How hard was this test compared to
most other tests you have taken this
most other tests you have taken this
year in school?
year in school?

than other tests
Easier
Easier than other tests

About as hard as other tests
About as hard as other tests

than other tests
Harder
Harder than other tests

Much harder than other tests
Much harder than other tests
VC034559
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11. How hard did you try on this test
11. How hard did you try on this test
compared to how hard you tried on
compared to how hard you tried on
most other tests you have taken this
most other tests you have taken this
year in school?
year in school?

VC471044
VC471044

owing
owing

as hard as on other tests
Not
Not as hard as on other tests

About as hard as on other tests
About as hard as on other tests

ys
ys
most
most
ys
ys

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Much harder than on other tests

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VC471046
VC471046

than on other tests
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Harder than on other tests

Much harder than on other tests

Part II-r: 2016 Cognitive Interviews Grade 8 U.S. History

194

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #1]

In which of the following grades have you learned about United States history?

Yes, I took a class Yes, I took a class No, I did not take
or course mainly
or course that
a class or course
focused on
included some
that taught
United States
United States
United States
history.
history topics.
history topics.

Select one or more answer choices on each row.

I don't know.

5th grade

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #2]
In your social studies class this year, how often have you studied the following periods?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the lessons

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
lessons
the lessons
the lessons

The period before 1815 (e.g., age of exploration, colonization,
settlement, American Revolution)

1815 to 1865 (e.g., expansion, reform, sectionalism, Civil War)

1865 to 1945 (e.g., Reconstruction, industrial growth, United States'
role in world affairs, immigration, the Great Depression, the First
and Second World Wars)

1945 to the present (e.g., Cold War, civil rights movement, women's
rights movement, Vietnam war, environmental movement)

195

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #3]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.
a.

Read material from a United States history textbook

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

Every day or
almost every day

Read extra material about United States history not in the regular
textbook (for example, newspapers, magazines, online sources)
Use primary sources (for example, letters, diaries, photographs,
film, or essays written by people from the past)

Discuss material about United States history with peers or teachers

Listen to the teacher talk about United States history topics
Conduct research about United States history topics (for example, in
a library or through interviews or observations)
Listen to and/or view online content about United States history
topics

f.
g.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #4]
During this school year so far, how often have you done each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

Gone on class field trips to learn about United States history topics

Gave class presentations on United States history topics

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #5]
During this school year so far, how often have you done each of the following?

a.
b.
c.

Select one answer choice on each row.
Written about your position on historical issues (for example, in a
letter, e-mail, or blog post)
Took part in historical debates or panel discussions
Took part in role-playing, mock trials, or dramas about United States
history topics

196

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #6]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following when you study United States history?

Select one answer choice on each row.
Examine the causes and effects of important events in United States
history
Examine the relationship between events and themes in United
States history (for example, between the American Revolution and
the spread of democratic ideals)
Compare and contrast different time periods in United States
history
Study how to judge the reliability of a source (for example, text,
visual graphics, video, audio)
Identify how different events that happened at the same time are
related to each other (for example, how the end of Second World
War relates to the formation of the United Nations)

Learn about historical events were affected by when and where it
took place (for example, how westward expansion was affected by
the Rocky Mountains and the availability of fertile farmland)

b.
c.
d.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #7]
During this school year, how often do you do each of the following when you study United States history?

Select one answer choice on each row.
a.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

Analyze the relationship between historical developments
Compare and evaluate different points of view about the past (for
example, different ideas about what caused the Civil War)

Create research questions about causes of historical events (for
example, what were the causes of the Great Depression)

Take and defend a position about a historical issue (for example,
how changes in transportation have affected the United States
economy)

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #8]

a.
b.
c.

In your social studies class this year, how often do you get the following assignments?
Never or hardly
Select one answer choice on each row.
ever
Assignments that you have to complete together with other
students
A
Short written responses (for example, a paragraph or less)
A
Assignments that use different forms of media (for example,
photos, video, music)
A

Less than half of
the lessons

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
lessons
the lessons
the lessons

B
B

C
C

D
D

E
E

197

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #9]
In your social studies class this year so far, how often have you received the following assignments?
Select one answer choice on each row.
a.

Long written responses (for example, several paragraphs)
Responses to questions based on information from several
documents (for example, letters, cartoons, maps)

Never

Once

Two or three
times

Four or five times

More than five
times

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #10]
Approximately how many hours a week do you spend on your social
studies homework?

Less than 30
minutes a day

30 minutes up to 1 1 up to 2 hours a
hour a day
day

2 up to 3 hours a
day

3 up to 4 hours a More than 4 hours
day
a day

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #11]
When you study social studies, how often do you use computers or
other digital devices to do the following? For this question, include
both schoolwork and homework assignments.

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Once in a while

Sometimes

Often

Always or almost
always

Use games or apps in which you play the role of an explorer,
geographer, anthropologist, or historian

Organize information about United States history topics by creating
tables, charts, or graphs

Combine words, images, and sounds to create multimedia reports
or projects about United States history

Participate in online discussions about United States history on a
website (for example, in forums or social media)

Use the Internet to look for evidence or sources (for example, text
documents, photographic images, films)

198

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #12]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person
like you?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

History is one of my favorite subjects to study.

Schoolwork about United States history is easy for me.

I don't like schoolwork about United States history.

I enjoy doing schoolwork about United States history.

I try to avoid my schoolwork about United States history as much as
possible.

I enjoy discussing United States history topics with others.

My United States history schoolwork helps me understand what is
happening in the world around me.

Learning about United States history topics will be important for my
future.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #13]

How much education do you think you will complete?

I will not finish
high school.

I will graduate
from high school.

I will have some
education after
high school.

I will graduate
from college.

I will go to
graduate school.

I don't know.

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #14]

What do you expect that your main activity will be in the year after
you leave high school?

Working full time

Attending a
vocational,
technical, or
business school

Attending a fouryear college,
Attending a two- service academy,
year college
or university

Serving in the
military

199

Other

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #15]
During this school year, how many times have you done each of the following outside of school?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

Every day or
almost every day

Read books about history

Watch movies, videos, or TV programs about history

Play video games about history

Go to history museums or historical sites

Do online research related to historical topics

Visit websites about historical topics

Talk to friends or family about historical topics

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #16]

How often do you receive help from a tutor, family member, or
friend with social studies outside of school or after school?

Never

About once or
twice a year

About once or
twice a month

About once or
twice a week

200

Every day or
almost every day

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #17]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person
like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

I want other students to think I am a good United States history
student.

I want to show others that my United States history schoolwork is
easy for me.

I want to look smart in comparison to the other students in my class.

I want to get better grades than most other students in my class.

I want to avoid making mistakes in front of my classmates in my
class.

I want to hide that I have a hard time understanding the material in
my class.

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #18]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

I want to learn as much as possible in my class.

I want to master a lot of new skills in my class.

I want to pass my class.

I want to become a better United States history student this year.

I want to get good grades in my class.

I want to understand as much as I can in my class.

201

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #19]
Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Explain the causes and effects of important events in United States
history
Explain the relationship between events and themes in United
States history (for example, between the American Revolution and
the spread of democratic ideals)

Compare and contrast different time periods in United States
history

Judge the reliability of a source (for example, text, visual graphics,
video, audio)
Explain how different events that happened at the same time are
related to each other (for example, how the end of Second World
War relates to the formation of the United Nations)
Explain how historical events were affected by when and where it
took place (for example, how westward expansion was affected by
the Rocky Mountains and the availability of fertile farmland)

I definitely can't

I probably can't

Maybe

I probably can

I definitely can

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #20]

Do you think that you would be able to do each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

I definitely can't

I probably can't

Maybe

I probably can

I definitely can

Understand the relationship between historical developments

Compare and evaluate different points of view about the past (for
example, different ideas about what caused the Civil War)

Create research questions about causes of historical events (for
example, what were the causes of the Great Depression)
Take and defend a position about a historical issue (for example,
how changes in transportation have affected the United States
economy)

202

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #21]
In your social studies class this school year, how often have you done each of the following?

Select one answer choice on each row.

Never or hardly
ever

Less than half of
the time

About half of the More than half of All or almost all of
time
the time
the time

I came to my social studies class prepared.

I remembered and followed directions from my social studies
teacher.

I started working on social studies assignments right away rather
than waiting until the last minute.

I paid attention and resisted distractions during social studies class.

I stayed on task without reminders from my social studies teacher.

I paid attention in my social studies class even when I was not
interested.

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #22]
How much does each of the following statements describe a person
like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

To understand a historical event, I think it is necessary to know the
circumstances that existed before the event.

I form opinions about historical events only after I have information
from more than one source.

I need to know the history leading up to an event to truly
understand it.

Knowing about the background of a time and place in history makes
it more understandable to me.

I want to know what lies behind the story when I study a conflict in
history.

When I study historical conflicts, I want to learn the different points
of view of all parties involved in those conflicts.

203

[Grade 8 Social Sciences: U.S. History Student #23]

How much does each of the following statements describe a person like you?
Select one answer choice on each row.

Not at all like me A little bit like me

Somewhat like
me

Quite a bit like
me

Exactly like me

I try to understand others better by imagining how things look from
their perspective.

I try to look at everybody's side of a disagreement before I make a
decision.

I believe that there is more than one side to every question, and I
try to look at all of them.

204

Part II-s: 2015 Operational Grade 4 & 8 KaSA

205

2015 Operational Grade 4 and Grade 8 KaSA Student Items

VE453868

1. Did you know before today that you would be taking this test?
A Yes
B No

VE453870

2. Did you answer all of the math questions?
A Yes
B No

VE453875

3. Why did you leave one or more of the math questions blank? Fill in one or more
ovals.
A I did not have enough time.
B I do not know how to use a calculator.
C I was not used to writing out my answers.
D The questions were too hard.

11/10/2015
206

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Author	joc
File Modified	2016-05-12
File Created	2016-05-12