Specific definitions of the NAEP Basic, NAEP Proficient, and NAEP Advanced achievement levels for grades 4, 8, and 12 are presented in the tables that follow. The NAEP achievement levels are cumulative. Therefore, students performing at the NAEP Proficient level also display the competencies associated with the NAEP Basic level, and students at the NAEP Advanced level also demonstrate the skills and knowledge associated with both the NAEP Basic and the NAEP Proficient levels. For each NAEP achievement level listed, the scale score that corresponds to the beginning of that level is shown in parentheses.
NAEP
Basic (195) | Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Basic level should be able to identify and describe a few of the most familiar people, places, events, ideas, and documents in American history. They should be able to explain the reasons for celebrating most national holidays, have some familiarity with the geography of their own state and the United States, and be able to express in writing a few ideas about a familiar theme in American history. |
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NAEP
Proficient (243) | Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Proficient level should be able to identify, describe and comment on the significance of many historical people, places, ideas, events, and documents. They should interpret information from a variety of sources, including texts, maps, pictures, and timelines. They should be able to construct a simple timeline from data. These students should recognize the role of invention and technological change in history. They should also recognize the ways in which geographic and environmental factors have influenced life and work. |
NAEP
Advanced (276) | Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Advanced level should have a beginning understanding of the relationships between people, places, ideas, events and documents. They should know where to look for information, including reference books, maps, local museums, interviews with family and neighbors, and other sources. They should be able to use historical themes to organize and interpret historical topics, and to incorporate insights from beyond the classroom into their understanding of history. These students should understand and explain the role of invention and technological change in history. They should also understand and explain the ways in which geographic and environmental factors have influenced life and work. |
NAEP Basic (252) | Students performing at the NAEP Basic achievement level in U.S. History likely can
Regarding the content for change and continuity in American democracy, students performing at the Naep Basic achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for gathering and interactions of peoples, cultures, and ideas, students performing at the NAEP Basic achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for economic and technological changes, students performing at the Naep Basic achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for the changing role of America in the world, students performing at the Naep Basic achievement level likely can
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NAEP
Proficient (294) | Students performing at the NAEP Proficient achievement level in U.S. History likely can
Regarding the content for change and continuity in American democracy, students performing at the Naep Proficient achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for gathering and interactions of peoples, cultures, and ideas, students performing at the Naep Proficient achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for economic and technological changes, students performing at the Naep Proficient achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for the changing role of America in the world, students performing at the Naep Proficient achievement level likely can
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NAEP Advanced (327) | Students performing at the Naep Advanced achievement level in U.S. History likely can
Regarding the content for change and continuity in American democracy, students performing at the Naep Advanced achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for gathering and interactions of peoples, cultures, and ideas, students performing at the Naep Advanced achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for economic and technological changes, students performing at the Naep Advanced achievement level likely can
Regarding the content for the changing role of America in the world, students performing at the Naep Advanced achievement level likely can
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NAEP Basic (294) | Twelfth-grade students performing at the NAEP Basic level should be able to identify the significance of many people, places, events, dates, ideas, and documents in U.S. history. They should also recognize the importance of unity and diversity in the social and cultural history of the United States, and have an awareness of America’s changing relationships with the rest of the world. They should have a sense of continuity and change in history and be able to relate relevant experience from the past to their understanding of contemporary issues. They should recognize that history is subject to interpretation and should understand the role of evidence in making an historical argument. |
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NAEP Proficient (325) | Twelfth-grade students performing at the NAEP Proficient level should understand particular people, places, events, ideas, and documents in historical context, with some awareness of the political, economic, geographic, social, religious, technological, and ideological factors that shape historical settings. They should be able to communicate reasoned interpretations of past events, using historical evidence effectively to support their positions. Their written arguments should reflect some in-depth grasp of issues and refer to both primary and secondary sources. |
NAEP Advanced (355) | Twelfth-grade students achieving at the NAEP Advanced level should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of events and sources of U.S. history. Recognizing that history is subject to interpretation, they should be able to evaluate historical claims critically in light of the evidence. They should understand that important issues and themes have been addressed differently at different times and that America’s political, social, and cultural traditions have changed over time. They should be able to write well-reasoned arguments on complex historical topics and draw upon a wide range of sources to inform their conclusions. |