This flyer summarizes how use of the SAIC materials has evolved from the original documentation based on the unique needs of each state.
Science Assessment Item Collaborative Item Specifications Guidelines
The SAIC developed the Item Specifications Guidelines as a companion document to the Assessment Framework. The document provides a methodical and practical guide for the development of Item Specifications for the assessment of the NGSS. It discusses issues pertinent to assessment development and provides a road map for the development of clear, comprehensive specifications for NGSS-aligned item clusters.
Science Assessment Item Collaborative Assessment Framework
The Assessment Framework provides a range of options and accompanying rationales for the development of NGSS-aligned items and summative assessments. It includes the overall test design, description of an aligned test item cluster as the foundational unit of an NGSS-aligned assessment, specifications for various types of test items, and accessibility principles.
Peer Review of State Assessment Systems Outcomes Report
These reports summarize decision letters previously sent to states regarding the peer review of state assessment systems – including identification of the Critical Elements for which states needed to submit additional evidence.
- This July 2017 report provides a summary of 37 state decision letters.
- This September 2019 report provides a summary of the decision letters previously sent to all 50 states.
State Use of ACT–Peer Review Results
These briefs provide an overview of the feedback the U.S. Department of Education (ED) provided to states that administered the ACT as part of their statewide assessment system. To administer the ACT, states need approval from ED to ensure peer review requirements are met.
- The April 2017 brief summarizes the feedback given to Wisconsin and Wyoming; two states who provided early indication of ACT use.
- The September 2019 brief summarizes the feedback given to seven states that planned to administer the ACT as part of their statewide assessment system.
Guidance for Supporting Assessment Peer Review Submissions
This document describes and supports the submission development process. It includes suggestions for collecting, analyzing, and cataloguing documents that might address the Critical Elements states must meet. A description of the process states must follow when submitting their peer review submission is also included.
To accompany this document, the Peer Review Evidence Organizer supports catalogue documentation for peer review submissions and how each addresses a Critical Element. States might use this tool to organize documents and develop text for the state peer review submission.