NAEP Technical DocumentationCreation of the Database
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Creation of the database begins when data are collected in the field by the NAEP Platform Development Contractor. Processing of the data is conducted by the NAEP Materials Preparation, Distribution, Processing, and Scoring (MDPS) Contractor for each assessment and results in the transmittal of three data files to the NAEP Design, Analysis, and Reporting (DAR) Contractor for each grade/age assessed. These files are merged into the final database. The three data files are based on data collected from the following sources:
- student booklets and digital test forms (which include both cognitive items and student survey questionnaires);
- teacher questionnaires; and
- school characteristics and policies questionnaires.
In addition to these files, data from the
students with disabilities/English learners (SD/EL) student questionnaires,
sampling weights, and other survey design variables provided by the NAEP Sampling and Data Collection Contractor must be included in order to make valid statistical inferences about the population of students and schools included in NAEP assessments. Prior to 2014, the SD/EL student questionnaire data files were provided to the NAEP DAR Contractor by the NAEP MDPS Contractor.
Last updated 22 April 2026 (SK)