Performance-Level Descriptors (PLDs) give teachers, parents/guardians, and students more information about the typical skills and knowledge a student demonstrates on state assessments in each performance level. PLDs are linked to state-adopted content standards and are used as guides by standard-setting committees as they make recommendations for the scores needed to achieve performance levels (Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced) on statewide assessments. Educator committees discuss the knowledge and skills that students at each performance level should be expected to demonstrate while they develop the PLDs. These discussions result in a common understanding of expectations for student performance at each performance level, which in turn informed the committee’s cut-score recommendations.
In addition to being used in the standard setting process, PLDs may serve a number of purposes. They can be used as a tool in classroom instruction because they assist teachers and schools in better understanding a student’s performance on a given assessment. PLDs can also enhance parents’ understanding of their child’s academic strengths and weaknesses and can help the community at large better understand state test scores and the level of performance required of students on WY-TOPP.
WY-TOPP Performance Level Descriptors
Wyoming Extended Standards and WY-ALT Policy Level Descriptors
- 2014-2016 K-1 Wyoming English/Language Extended Standards
- 2020 Wyoming Math Extended Standards
- 2018 Wyoming Science Extended Standards
WIDA ACCESS Can Do Descriptors