Assessment Design and
Framework
Field 055: Primary Education (PK–5)
The assessment design below describes general assessment information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this assessment measures.
Assessment Design
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 125 multiple-choice questions |
| Time* | 180 minutes |
| Passing Score | 220 |
*Does not include 15-minute tutorial
Framework
| Domain | Range of Competencies | Approximate Percentage of Assessment Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oral and Written Language Development | 0001–0002 | 15% |
| 2 | Mathematics | 0003–0005 | 27% |
| 3 | Science | 0006–0008 | 24% |
| 4 | Social Studies | 0009–0011 | 24% |
| 5 | The Arts | 0012–0013 | 10% |
Domain I–Oral and Written Language Development
0001 Understand the foundations of language development and how to promote listening and speaking skills in children.
Includes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of major theories and research of the cognitive, linguistic, motivational, and sociocultural foundations of communication development, processes, and components, including first and second language acquisition and the role of heritage language in learning to listen, speak, read, and write.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the relationships between listening, speaking, reading, and writing; language and reading development across PK–5; and strategies for building on children's oral language, prior knowledge, experiences, and interests to lay foundations for formal reading and writing instruction.
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective listening skills for a variety of purposes and audiences, including strategies for promoting development of students' listening skills to support their language and literacy development and their learning across the curriculum.
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate strategies for fostering the ability to listen and speak clearly for various purposes (e.g., expressing needs, interacting with others, responding to experiences, developing concepts) and appropriate adaptations to instruction and materials to meet the language proficiency needs of all learners, including English learners and learners with exceptional needs.
- Demonstrate knowledge of ways to infuse opportunities for meaningful and purposeful language and communication into all areas of the PK–5 curriculum, including strategies for supporting students' motivation and engagement.
- Demonstrate knowledge of diverse types of texts (e.g., narrative, expository, poetry) and evidence based rationales for selecting and using traditional print, digital, and online resources.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' listening and speaking skills, and the use of the results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
0002 Understand the processes, conventions, and modes of written and oral communication.
Includes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of early writing (e.g., combinations of scribbles, drawings, and letters), including strategies for fostering young students' knowledge, skills, and abilities related to early writing development (e.g., using a writing tool, copying words in the environment, making marks as a caption to a drawing, printing one's name).
- Apply knowledge of strategies and techniques for promoting students' ability to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience; and to develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, drafting, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
- Demonstrate knowledge of research and theory about effective learning environments that support individual student motivation to read and write.
- Apply knowledge of components of written and oral language, including conventions of standard American English grammar, word usage, sentence types and structures, and different text types and purposes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic elements of different kinds of writing (e.g., poetry, drama, fiction and nonfiction), including the use of figurative language.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and key elements of various modes of communication, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and academic modes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of elements of effective writing and speaking, including appropriate language styles and registers and the use of nonverbal elements in speaking.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for promoting students' ability to generate a research question, gather relevant information from print and digital sources, and summarize the information.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for differentiating and adapting instructional approaches and materials to meet the needs of all students, including English learners and learners with exceptional needs, with respect to oral communication and writing.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to written and oral communication, and the use of the results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
Domain II–Mathematics
0003 Understand number sense, numbers and operations in base ten, and fractions.
Includes:
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate strategies and activities, including play, to foster young children's symbolic thought, number sense, and counting for various purposes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the properties of numbers, operations, place value, prime and composite numbers, rounding, comparing and ordering numbers, and equivalent representation of numbers.
- Apply knowledge of the base ten place value system and the use of various models, representations, and tools (e.g., drawings, numerical expressions, manipulative materials) to reveal the base-ten structure, including decimals, and to explain the rationale for a computation method.
- Apply knowledge of efficient base ten computation methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, including the decomposition of numbers and the application of properties of operations (e.g., commutative property, distributive property).
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of fractions; the connection between fractions and division; the connections between fractions, ratios, and rates; the rationale for defining and representing equivalent fractions; and various ways in which fractions can be represented.
- Apply knowledge of procedures for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and models for representing these operations.
- Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, progressions, and resources, including technology, for promoting students' number sense; use of mathematical language and vocabulary; and ability to solve real world and mathematical problems involving whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
- Apply knowledge of approaches for promoting students' use of the mathematical practices in the context of numbers, operations, the base ten system, and fractions (e.g., using a diagram to represent a fraction, critiquing another student's reasoning for using a particular computational method).
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to number sense and operations, and the use of the results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
0004 Understand operations and algebraic thinking.
Includes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the types of problems solved by the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Recognize patterns in numbers, shapes, and data and ways to use variables, expressions, equations, and inequalities to communicate quantitative relationships.
- Apply knowledge of patterns to model real-world situations and make predictions.
- Apply algebraic concepts to solve mathematical equations and real-world problems.
- Demonstrate understanding of numerical and algebraic expressions by describing them in words, breaking them into component parts, and interpreting the components in a context.
- Apply knowledge of properties of arithmetic to generate and identify equivalent algebraic expressions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, progressions, and resources, including technology, for promoting students' understanding and use of operations; fluency with operations; recognition and extension of patterns; and ability to solve real world and mathematical problems involving operations and algebraic thinking.
- Apply knowledge of approaches for promoting students' use of the mathematical practices in the context of operations and algebraic thinking (e.g., making sense of a word problem and persevering in solving it, modeling a word problem with an equation or algebraic expression).
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to operations and algebraic thinking, and the use of the results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
0005 Understand basic concepts of measurement, data, and geometry.
Includes:
- Apply knowledge of activities and resources to develop young children's ability to describe, compare, and order objects using measurable attributes (e.g., longest, heaviest); use the names of shapes; describe relative spatial positions of objects; and compare and describe shapes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of measurement, the role of standard and nonstandard units, and how the size of a unit affects measurements.
- Apply knowledge for solving real world and mathematical problems involving measurement, including money and time, and converting between like measurement units within the metric system and the U.S. customary system.
- Demonstrate knowledge of rationales for area and volume formulas obtained through compositions and decompositions of unit squares or unit cubes, including formulas for the area of rectangles and volume of rectangular prisms.
- Apply knowledge of data interpretation, selecting appropriate graphs or numerical summaries to represent the distribution of categorical or numerical data and comparing data distributions in terms of differences in center, variability (i.e., spread), and shape.
- Demonstrate knowledge of types and properties of and the relationships between lines (e.g., parallel, perpendicular), angles, and two and three dimensional shapes, and the use of geometric concepts to solve real world problems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, progressions, and resources, including technology, for promoting students' understanding of measurement, ability to interpret and display data, and apply geometric concepts.
- Apply knowledge of approaches for promoting students' use of the mathematical practices in the context of measurement, data, and geometry (e.g., using appropriate measuring tools, attending to precision in measurement).
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to measurement, data, and geometry; and the use of the results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
Domain III–Science
0006 Understand the nature of science and application of scientific and engineering practices.
Includes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of science, including the constructs and values that are intrinsic to science (e.g., science is a human endeavor, scientific knowledge is open to revision) and how scientific knowledge is advanced.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the essential elements of scientific and engineering practices (e.g., developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations) and of the crosscutting concepts that connect the sciences and engineering (e.g., patterns, cause and effect).
- Apply knowledge of the integration of scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and content to optimize student learning of science and engineering through hands on inquiry based teaching that involves problem solving and critical thinking.
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate learning experiences and resources for promoting all students' close observation and exploration of objects, materials, and events in their environment.
- Apply knowledge of strategies and resources for promoting all students' scientific literacy, including opportunities to design and conduct investigations, communicate with others, and evaluate scientific information.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the types (e.g., physical, mathematical), characteristics, applications, and importance of models in science and engineering.
- Demonstrate knowledge of connections of science and engineering to other content areas and everyday applications of science and engineering.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to the nature of science and application of science and engineering practices, and the use of assessment results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
0007 Understand the core ideas in life science and Earth and space science.
Includes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the organization of multicellular organisms into hierarchical levels of complexity, and the life processes of animals, plants, and other living organisms (e.g., obtaining nutrients, reproduction, growth).
- Demonstrate knowledge of the cycling of matter and flow of energy between living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem, and the interactions of organisms with their environment and interactions between organisms (e.g., competition, predation).
- Demonstrate knowledge of how traits are passed to offspring, the application of basic principles of heredity to the transmission of traits from one generation to the next, and how biological evolution explains both the unity and diversity of life on Earth.
- Demonstrate knowledge of types and characteristics of objects in the solar system; the effects of the relative positions and motions of the sun, Earth, and moon; and cycles and patterns in the solar system.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the composition, structure, landforms, and processes of Earth's geologic system and how it interacts with other Earth systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the composition, structure, and processes of Earth's hydrologic and atmospheric systems, including weather and climate, and how these systems interact with each other and with Earth's geologic system.
- Demonstrate knowledge of types, characteristics, and uses of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources; and how Earth's systems affect and are affected by human activities.
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, activities, and resources for promoting students' understanding and skills in life science and Earth and space science through a variety of authentic learning experiences and real world applications.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to life science and Earth and space science, and the use of assessment results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
0008 Understand the core ideas in physical science and engineering design.
Includes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic structure, properties, states, and interactions of matter; the difference between physical and chemical changes in matter; and general characteristics of chemical reactions (e.g., matter is conserved).
- Demonstrate knowledge of interactions between objects; the effects of forces (e.g., gravity, magnetism) on objects in given situations; and the relationships between energy, forces, and motion.
- Demonstrate knowledge of forms of energy; the processes of energy transfer and transformation; and applications of energy transfer and transformation in physical, chemical, life, Earth, space, and technology systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the types, characteristics, and properties of waves; phenomena associated with the interaction of waves and matter; and technologies associated with those interactions, including technologies for information transfer.
- Apply knowledge of the practices associated with the engineering design process (e.g., defining a problem, building a model), and factors that influence the design process (e.g., criteria, constraints, trade offs).
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, activities, and resources for promoting students' understanding and skills in physical science and engineering design through a variety of authentic learning experiences and real world applications.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to physical science and engineering design, and the use of assessment results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
Domain IV–Social Studies
0009 Understand fundamental concepts related to civics and government.
Includes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of democratic civic involvement and the practices, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the significance of national symbols, including the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem; the purpose and role of government; and methods for the peaceful resolution of disputes.
- Apply knowledge of the structure, functions, and powers of the three branches of the U.S. federal government; the Ohio state government; the local government; and the ways that the federal government, state government, and local government divide and share powers.
- Compare characteristics of democracies, dictatorships, and monarchies.
- Apply knowledge of approaches for integrating civics and government topics with other social studies strands, crosscutting concepts, and real world applications.
- Apply knowledge of instructional approaches for promoting students' skills in interpreting information and ideas in primary and secondary sources related to civics and government.
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, activities, and resources for promoting students' understanding and skills related to civics (e.g., compromise, negotiation) and government through a variety of learning experiences and real world applications.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding of basic civics and government concepts, and the use of assessment results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
0010 Understand historical inquiry and significant events, patterns, and themes in the history of Ohio, the United States, and the world.
Includes:
- Apply knowledge of the use of primary and secondary sources to learn and teach about historical events and trends in Ohio, the United States, and world history.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the early development of Ohio and the United States, including significant events and trends and the various groups of people who have lived in Ohio, the United States, and the world over time (e.g., American Indians, early Indian civilizations in the Western Hemisphere, immigrants).
- Analyze how events, ideas, individuals, and groups from the past have shaped today's world.
- Apply knowledge of the development of concepts of time and awareness of personal history, including daily experiences and instructional approaches that support this development.
- Recognize how geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural processes have interacted to shape historical patterns of human population.
- Apply knowledge of approaches for integrating history topics with other social studies strands, crosscutting concepts, and real world applications.
- Apply knowledge of instructional approaches for promoting students' critical-thinking skills in interpreting information and ideas in primary and secondary history sources (e.g., distinguish between fact and opinion; recognize bias, reliability of sources, and point of view; draw conclusions; make predictions).
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, activities, and resources for promoting students' understanding and skills related to history and historical inquiry through a variety of learning experiences and real world applications.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding of basic history concepts and application of historical inquiry practices, and the use of assessment results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
0011 Understand geographic literacy knowledge and skills and fundamental concepts of economics.
Includes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationship between the physical environment and human activities.
- Apply knowledge of major geographic concepts and themes (e.g., location, region, movement).
- Demonstrate knowledge of population trends; migration patterns; the characteristics of cultural groups; and networks of economic interdependence in Ohio, the United States, and the world.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of cultural diversity and how diverse cultural perspectives and frames of reference may influence how people interpret information and experiences.
- Demonstrate knowledge of factors (e.g., language, the arts, traditions, beliefs) that contribute to the development and transmission of culture, and apply strategies for relating this knowledge to students' personal experiences.
- Apply knowledge of instructional approaches for promoting students' skills in interpreting and creating maps and other geographic representations.
- Demonstrate knowledge of instructional strategies and practices for promoting students' understanding of economics (e.g., the scarcity of resources; the use of money and barter to exchange goods and services within the school, community, and region; the effect of supply and demand on prices of goods and services and on wages and incomes).
- Apply knowledge of approaches for integrating geography and economics topics with other social studies strands, crosscutting concepts, and real world applications.
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, activities, and resources for promoting students' understanding and skills related to geography (e.g., spatial skills) and economics (e.g., economic decision making) through a variety of learning experiences and real world applications.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding of basic geography and economics concepts, and the use of assessment results for various purposes, including providing timely feedback to students and informing instruction.
Domain V–The Arts
0012 Understand basic visual art concepts, techniques, materials, and instructional approaches.
Includes:
- Apply knowledge of basic visual art concepts (e.g., principles of design) and vocabulary for understanding and talking about artworks.
- Demonstrate knowledge of types and characteristics of media, materials, tools, techniques, and processes (e.g., drawing, printmaking) used to create visual arts that are developmentally appropriate.
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate approaches for fostering students' creativity, critical thinking, risk taking, and self expression through visual arts as well as their interest and appreciation for others' creative work.
- Apply knowledge of approaches for integrating visual arts with other areas of the curriculum and with everyday activities.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to visual arts.
0013 Understand basic musical elements, terms, techniques, and instructional approaches.
Includes:
- Apply knowledge of basic musical elements (e.g., rhythm, pitch) and vocabulary for understanding and talking about music.
- Demonstrate knowledge of various types of musical instruments that are developmentally appropriate, and characteristics and techniques of vocal and instrumental music.
- Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate approaches for fostering students' creativity, critical thinking, risk taking, and self expression through music as well as their interest and appreciation for others' creative work.
- Apply knowledge of approaches for integrating music with other areas of the curriculum and with everyday activities.
- Apply knowledge of formal and informal methods for assessing students' understanding and skills related to music.