Five-Tier vs. Four-Tier: What does a 'Level 3' Mean for NC Students?

North Carolina has changed how student performance is measured in End-of-Course (EOC) and End-of-Grade (EOG) testing.  Last year, the Board of Education adopted a new "Five-Tier" scoring scale to determine proficiency on state-administered standardized tests.  At the high school level, this scale is used for Math I, Biology, and English 10:

Four-Tier (old)	Five-Tier (current)
Level 4: Consistently performs in superior manner beyond that required for grade level. On track for “college and career.”	Level 5: Superior command (and college and career ready) of grade-level knowledge and skills in tested area
Level 3: Consistently demonstrates mastery of grade level and are well prepared for next level. On track for “college and career.”	Level 4: Solid command (and college and career ready) of grade-level knowledge and skills in tested area
Level 2: Inconsistent mastery and skills and minimally prepared to succeed at next grade.	Level 3: Sufficient command (proficient for state standard) of grade-level knowledge and skills in tested area
Level 1: Does not have sufficient mastery of knowledge or skills to succeed at next grade.	Level 2: Partial command of grade-level knowledge and skills in tested area
	Level 1: Limited command of grade-level knowledge and skills in tested area

Source: DPI

The highlighted levels indicated proficiency.  The specific language between proficient and non-proficient in the five-tier is "sufficient command", as compared to "partial command".  The difference in the four-tier system was "consistently demonstrates mastery" to "inconsistent mastery".

The change to a five-tier system followed implementation of new tests with the Common Core State Standards curriculum.

Thanks for reading,

CS

The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2015/01/21/4492405_hearing-on-state-public-school.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy