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Content Alignment

Content Alignment

Is the Content of NAEP Similar to Other Relevant Tests?

The content alignment studies compare NAEP to other relevant assessments, such as those that measure academic preparedness for college and job-related skills. These serve as the foundation for most of the Board’s preparedness research, especially for the statistical relationship studies, which link NAEP to other tests and data. The content comparisons provide a basis for statements about what NAEP scores may indicate about the knowledge and skills that represent academic preparedness for freshman college coursework or job-training programs.

Alignment studies are designed to determine the extent to which NAEP and another test measure similar content. Although perfect alignment between two different tests cannot be expected, a substantial overlap increases confidence that statistical links between the two indicate that performance on one represents about the same level of knowledge, skills, and abilities as performance on the other. Knowing the extent of content similarities and differences helps determine the limits of interpreting the statistical relationship studies.