NAEP Technical DocumentationDistribution of Materials for the 2016 Assessment

The NAEP materials distribution staff ordered, packaged, and distributed session and bulk materials to data collection administrators.

Booklets and questionnaires were identified with a unique identification number through bar code technology. Test booklets were bundled for distribution based on the spiraling design provided by the NAEP test developers. Each spiral was based on the subjects and sample size needed for the 2016 arts assessment. A 2-digit alpha character and 2-digit numeric grade was given to each of the spiral/session types in each grade, i.e. MU01, VA01 for the grade 8 arts assessment. These session IDs are located on the outside of each session box and packing lists. This assists the administrator in identifying what materials are located in the session box.

Using the spiraling design, staff grouped the music and visual arts materials in specific session boxes. Materials needed consisted of sheet music, drawing paper, colored pencils, crayons, pencils, scissors, paper glue, and handy wipes.

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

Additional student booklets and accommodation booklets were ordered via the data collection's electronic pre-assessment system. A daily file was sent to the materials distribution staff. Miscellaneous bulk materials such as subject ancillaries and timers, were requested via the materials distribution staff's additional orders online system. The materials distribution staff's online materials tracking system provided NAEP data collection staff with

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

The online materials tracking system was also used to record when the materials were sent back and when they arrived at the materials distribution contractor's processing center.

Number of sessions distributed, arts national assessment, by session type: 2016

Session type	Number of sessions distributed
M108 (music, MU741)	30
M208 (music, MU742)	30
M308 (music, MU743)	40
​M408 (music, MU744)	30
​M508 (music, MU745)	40
​M608 (music, MU746)	40
​M708 (music, MU747)	40
​M808 (music, MU748)	30
​V108 (visual arts, VA761)	30
​V208 (visual arts, VA762)	40
​​V308 (visual arts, VA763)	40
V408 (visual arts, VA764)	30
V508 (visual arts, VA765)	40
​V608 (visual arts, VA766)	40
V708 (visual arts, VA767)	40
​V808 (visual arts, VA768)	30
NOTE: Only grade 8 participated in the arts assessment. Session counts are rounded. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2016 Arts Assessment.

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