Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 115 Part 2.djvu/919

 PUBLIC LAW 107-110-JAN. 8, 2002 115 STAT. 1903 "(I) identifying the knowledge that can be measured and verified objectively using widely accepted professional assessment standards; and "(11) developing achievement levels that are consistent with relevant widely accepted professional assessment standards and based on the appropriate level of subject matter knowledge for grade levels to be assessed, or the age of the students, as the case may be. "(B) NATIONAL CONSENSUS APPROACH.— After the determinations described in subparagraph (A), devising a national consensus approach. "(C) TRIAL BASIS. —The achievement levels shall be used on a trial basis until the Commissioner determines, as a result of an evaluation under subsection (f), that such levels are reasonable, valid, and informative to the public. "(D) STATUS.— The Commissioner and the Board shall ensure that reports using such levels on a trial basis do so in a manner that makes clear the status of such levels. "(E) UPDATES.— Such levels shall be updated as appropriate by the National Assessment Governing Board in consultation with the Commissioner. "(3) REPORTING.—After determining that such levels are reasonable, valid, and informative to the public, as the result of an evaluation under subsection (f), the Commissioner shall use such levels or other methods or indicators for reporting results of the National Assessment and State assessments. "(4) REVIEW. — The National Assessment Governing Board shall provide for a review of any trial student achievement levels under development by representatives of State educational agencies or the chief State school officer in a manner consistent with subsection (c), except the review described in subparagraph (2)(C) shall take place in consultation with the representatives described in this paragraph. " (f) REVIEW OF NATIONAL AND STATE ASSESSMENTS. — " (1) REVIEW.— "(A) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall provide for continuing review of any assessment authorized under this section, and student achievement levels, by one or more professional assessment evaluation organizations. "(B) ISSUES ADDRESSED.— Such continuing review shall address— "(i) whether any authorized assessment is properly administered, produces high quality data that are valid and reliable, is consistent with relevant widely accepted professional assessment standards, and produces data on student achievement that are not otherwise available to the State (other than data comparing participating States to each other and the Nation); "(ii) whether student achievement levels are reasonable, valid, reliable, and informative to the public;- "(iii) whether any authorized assessment is being administered as a random sample and is reporting the trends in academic achievement in a valid and reliable manner in the subject areas being assessed;

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