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NAEP Technical DocumentationCivics Assessment Estimation Variables for 2018

Variables used in the population-structure model for the 2018 civics assessment are listed below. The same population-structure model was used for both the digitally based (DBA) and paper-based (PBA) versions of the assessment. All of the variables below are included as main effects.

Variables used for main and interaction effects:

  • ACCOM2 – Accommodated. Three levels: Accommodated, Not accommodated and Excluded, and Missing.
  • CENSREG  Region of the country as defined by U.S. Census. Five levels: Northeast, Midwest, South, West, and Missing.
  • CHRTRPT  School identified as charter school (national public). Three levels: Charter school, Not a charter school, and Missing.
  • DSEX  School-reported gender. Three levels: Male, Female, and Missing.
  • IEP  Whether student is classified as having a disability. Three levels: Student with disability (has IEP or 504 plan), Not student with disability, and Missing.
  • LEP  Whether student is classified as English learner. Three levels: English learner, Not or formerly English learner, and Missing.
  • PARED  Highest level of education achieved by either parent. Six levels: Did not finish high school, Graduated high school, Some education after high school, Graduated college, I don't know, and Missing.
  • SCHTYPE  Type of school. Six levels: Public, Catholic, Other private, Bureau of Indian Education, Department of Defense, and Missing.
  • SLUNCH1  National School Lunch Program eligibility. Four levels: Eligible, Not eligible, Information not available, and Missing.
  • SRACE10  School-reported race/ethnicity. Eight levels: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, Two or More Races, and Missing.
  • UTOL4  School location. Five levels: City, Suburb, Town, Rural, and Missing.

Each main effect listed in this section was paired with every other main effect to examine interactions.

Variables used for main effects:

  • Additional Accommodations Variables – Each of the following variables is scored as Yes or Missing: Bilingual dictionary, Bilingual test form, Breaks, Color contrast for visually impaired, Computer to respond, Cue to stay on task, Directions read aloud in English, Directions read aloud in Spanish, Directions translated to Spanish, Extended time, Large-font test form, Magnification device, One-on-one, Other, Preferential seating, Read aloud in English (all), Read aloud in Spanish (all), Read aloud in English (occasional), School staff administers, Scribe, Separate session, Sign Language presentation, Small group, Special equipment/preferential seating, Template, and Text to speech in Spanish.
  • Additional Student Disability Classification Variables – Each of the following variables is scored as Yes or Missing: Autism, Brain injury, Developmental delay, Emotional disturbance, Hearing impairment, Intellectual disability, Other health disability, Orthopedic impairment, Specific learning disability, Speech impairment, and Visual impairment.
  • CENSDIV – Census division. Ten levels: New England, Middle Atlantic, East North Central, West North Central, South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, Mountain, Pacific, and Missing.
  • DRACE10  Student-reported race/ethnicity. Eight levels: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, Two or more races, and Missing.
  • EL  Status as English learner (EL). Four levels: Yes, No, Formerly EL, and Missing.
  • HISPYES – Hispanic. Three levels: Yes, No, and Missing.
  • MODAGE – Modal age of most students in sample. Four levels: Below modal age, At modal age, Above modal age, and Missing.
  • PCTWHTC – Percentage of White students. Six levels: 0%, 1–5%, 6–25%, 26–50%, 51% or more, and Missing.
  • PCTBLKC – Percentage of Black students. Six levels: 0%, 1–5%, 6–25%, 26–50%, 51% or more, and Missing.
  • PCTHSPC – Percentage of Hispanic students. Six levels: 0%, 1–5%, 6–25%, 26–50%, 51% or more, and Missing.
  • PCTASNC – Percentage of Asian students. Six levels: 0%, 1–5%, 6–25%, 26–50%, 51% or more, and Missing.
  • PCTHPIC – Percentage of Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students. Six levels: 0%, 1–5%, 6–25%, 26–50%, 51% or more, and Missing.
  • PCTINDC – Percentage of American Indian students. Six levels: 0%, 1–5%, 6–25%, 26–50%, 51% or more, and Missing.
  • PCT2MRC – Percentage of students of Two or more races. Six levels: 0%, 1–5%, 6–25%, 26–50%, 51% or more, and Missing.
  • SD3  Whether student is classified as having a disability or a 504 plan. Four levels: Has an IEP, Has a 504 plan, Does not have an IEP, and Missing.
  • SENROL8 – School enrollment. Six levels: 1–399 students, 400–599 students, 600–799 students, 800–999 students, 1000 or more students, and Missing.
  • SLUNCH – National School Lunch Program eligibility. Seven levels: Not eligible, Eligible for reduced-price lunch, Eligible for free lunch, Information not available, School refused to provide information, Not participating, and Missing.
  • UTOL12 – School location. Thirteen levels: Large city, Midsize city, Small city, Large suburb, Midsize suburb, Small suburb, Fringe town, Distant town, Remote town, Fringe rural, Distant rural, Remote rural, and Missing.


Variables obtained from survey questionnaires and used for main effects:




Last updated 12 January 2023 (PG)