Quality control is the overriding component of NAEP assessment development. The foundation of our quality is in the number of reviews and the stellar experience of the reviewers.
Empirically, there is also a great emphasis placed on feedback. Items are revised based upon the empirical information obtained from both the field tests and the operational assessment.
The evaluation of NAEP is mandated by law to occur on an annual basis. In 2007, the Buros Institute for Assessment Consultation and Outreach was our external evaluator for NAEP. And they, like their predecessors, evaluated NAEP items and assessed whether the items fit the framework. Recently, we requested an external evaluation of the math framework and the items by the NAEP Validity Studies Panel.