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State-by-State Analysis: North Carolina

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Elementary

Middle

High School

Elementary

Middle

High School

Standards
The table below indicates the content the AFT looks for when reviewing English, math, science, and social studies standards. Standards that are clear and specific at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are shaded as indicated in the legend above. Standards that do not meet our criteria remain clear or "empty." Refer to the Content Standards link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards.

English

Reading Basics

Reading Comprehension

Writing Conventions

Writing Forms

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Math

Number Sense

Measurement

Geometry

Algebra

Data Analysis

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Science

Earth Science

Physical Science

Life Science

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Social Studies

Civics

U.S. History

World History

High School

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

High School

Updated 8/2004 

Curriculum & Instruction
The table below identifies the components of a standards-based curriculum. If the components are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the components are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Curriculum & Instruction link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards-based curriculum materials.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Learning Continuum

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Instructional Resources

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Instructional Strategies

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

High School

None

Performance Indicators

Performance descriptors

None

None

None

None

Rubrics / scoring guides

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

High School

None

Sample student work

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

None

None

Commentary on student work

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

None

None

Lesson Plans

Specifies standards addressed

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Specifies prior knowledge needed

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Integrates two or more standards

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Indicates necessary materials

None

None

None

None

Includes classroom assessments

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Indicates length of time needed

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Includes sample student work and rubrics

None

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Provides instructional guidance

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Includes instructional strategies for diverse learners

None

None

None

None

Updated 11/2001

Assessing Student Performance
The table below indicates the features of an "open" or transparent assessment system that is based on the content standards. If the features are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the features are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Assessing Student Performance link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating open and aligned testing systems.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Grades assessed

3-11

3-11

3-11

3-11

Alignment report available

None

None

None

None

State indicates standards tested

None

None

None

None

State indicates number of items per standard

None

None

None

None

Test or sample items released

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

Released items indicate standard tested

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

State provides grade-specific performance level descriptors

None

None

None

None

State provides rubrics

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

State releases scored student work

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

Released student work includes scorer commentary

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

Updated 4/2004

Accountability
The table below indicates the elements of a student accountability policy. If the elements are present, the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the elements are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Accountability link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating student accountability policies.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

State requires academic intervention for struggling students

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

State funds academic intervention for struggling students

Promotion from grade to grade in elementary or middle school and/or graduation from high school is based, in part, on state test results

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Students can earn awards for meeting higher standards

Updated 11/2001

 

 


Documents Reviewed

Communications: End-of-Grade/End-of-Course Testing, 2000 (accountability)

Competency Test Handbook, 2003 (assessments)

English Language Arts Curriculum, 1999 (curriculum)

Focused Holistic Scoring Guide: The Expository Composition Grade 7, 1998-99 (curriculum)

Focused Holistic Scoring Guide: The Narrative Composition Grade 4, 1999-2000 (curriculum)

Mathematics: Standard Course of Study and Grade Level Competencies K-12 (standards)

The North Carolina Competency Tests, 2003 (assessments)

North Carolina End-of-Grade Test of Reading Comprehension—Grades 3-8, 2004 (assessments)

North Carolina High School Exit Exam, 2002 (assessments)

North Carolina High School Exit Exam: Student Handbook, 2002 (assessments)

The North Carolina Open Ended Assessment Scoring Guide Focused Holistic: Grades 4 and 8, 1999-2000 (curriculum)

North Carolina Pretest of Biology, 1995 (curriculum)

The North Carolina Standard Course of Study (English Language Arts) (standards)

The North Carolina Standard Course of Study (Social Studies) (standards)

North Carolina State Board of Education Policy Manual—North Carolina Competency Requirements, 1999 (accountability)

North Carolina Testing Program: The Multiple-Choice Test Development Process, 2004 (assessments)

North Carolina Textbook Adoption, 2000 (curriculum)

Resources for Algebra, 2001 (curriculum)

Review Criteria for Lesson Plans, 2001 (curriculum)

Sample Items for the North Carolina Mathematics, Reading, and Science End-of-Grades 3-8; Algebra I and II, Geometry; Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, Physics, 2004 (assessments)

Science: Standard Course of Study and Grade Level Competencies, 2004 (standards)

Scoring Guide English II Essay, 2000 (curriculum)

Strategies for Instruction in Mathematics—Grade 4, 2000 (curriculum)

Student Accountability Standards: What the Standards Mean and How They Will Affect Students, 2001 (accountability)

Understanding North Carolina Competency tests of reading and Mathematics, 2000 (accountability)

Understanding North Carolina End-of-Course Testing, 2004 (assessments)

Understanding the North Carolina Writing Assessment Scoring Model at Grades 4, 7, and 10, 2003 (assessments)

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