What Are Scale Scores?
KAP score reports relay information about students’ performance in terms of scale scores. A scale score is a mathematical conversion of the total number of points a student earned on an assessment into a score along a predefined scale, which allows for consistent reporting of assessment results across years for any specific grade and subject area. Scale scores on all KAP assessments range from 400 to 700.
It is important to note that scale scores can only be used to compare students in a single grade and subject area (for example, grade 3 math). Scale scores cannot be compared across other grades and subject areas.
So, if third graders in a particular building averaged a scale score of 520 in grade 3 math last year and averaged a scale score of 530 in grade 3 math this year, the building may safely be said to have improved year-over-year in grade 3 math performance.
However, a student who earned a 515 on this year’s grade 4 math assessment and a 525 on last year’s grade 3 math assessment has not necessarily regressed in math. Further, a student who scored 540 on her grade 3 ELA assessment and 550 on her grade 3 math assessment did not necessarily do better in math than in ELA.
What Are Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)?
Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) are available for each test. PLDs define the knowledge, skills, and processes that students likely demonstrate at different levels of proficiency within the reporting categories (1, 2, 3, 4).
These PLDs appear on Individual Student Reports and describe student performance on the assessment.
Level 1:
A student at Level 1 shows limited ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of grade-level (content area) standards.
Level 2:
A student at Level 2 shows basic ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of grade-level (content area) standards.
Level 3:
A student at Level 3 shows proficient ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of grade-level (content area) standards.
Level 4:
A student at Level 4 shows advanced ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of grade-level (content area) standards.
What Are Cut Scores?
The scale score thresholds dividing the performance levels are called cut scores. The cut scores are the minimum scale points that place a student’s performance into each level. Cut scores are fixed for Level 2 and Level 3; however, the Level 4 cut score floats depending on the content area and grade level. To understand how your student performed on the assessment, visit with your teachers or school administrators.
Cut Scores for KAP Summative Assessments
English Language Arts
Grade | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
3 | 510 | 540 | 609 |
4 | 510 | 540 | 607 |
5 | 510 | 540 | 600 |
6 | 510 | 540 | 593 |
7 | 510 | 540 | 600 |
8 | 510 | 540 | 594 |
10 | 510 | 540 | 588 |
Mathematics
Grade | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
3 | 510 | 540 | 570 |
4 | 510 | 540 | 579 |
5 | 510 | 540 | 599 |
6 | 510 | 540 | 596 |
7 | 510 | 540 | 603 |
8 | 510 | 540 | 594 |
10 | 510 | 540 | 600 |
Science
Grade | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
5 | 510 | 540 | 582 |
8 | 510 | 540 | 569 |
11 | Cut Scores Not Yet Available | ||
Note: Cut scores do not change from year to year.