4th Grade Math

Advanced (625 and above)

“Students can apply their understanding and knowledge in a variety of relatively complex situations and explain their reasoning. They can solve a variety of multi-step word problems involving whole numbers including proportions. Students at this level show an increasing understanding of fractions and decimals. Students can apply geometric knowledge of a range of two- and three-dimensional shapes in a variety of situations. They can draw a conclusion from data in a table and justify their conclusion.”

High (550 to 624)

“Students can apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems. Students can solve word problems involving operations with whole numbers. They can use division in a variety of problem situations. They can use their understanding of place value to solve problems. Students can extend patterns to find a later specified term. Students demonstrate understanding of line symmetry and geometric properties. Students can interpret and use data in tables and graphs to solve problems. They can use information in pictographs and tally charts to complete bar graphs.”

Intermediate (475 to 549)

“Students can apply basic mathematical knowledge in straightforward situations. Students at this level demonstrate an understanding of whole numbers and some understanding of fractions. Students can visualize three-dimensional shapes from two-dimensional representations. They can interpret bar graphs, pictographs, and tables to solve simple problems.”

Low (400 to 474)

“Students have some basic mathematical knowledge. Students can add and subtract whole numbers. They have some recognition of parallel and perpendicular lines, familiar geometric shapes, and coordinate maps. They can read and complete simple bar graphs and tables.”

Below low (less than 400)

Skills are less developed than those described in the “low” category, above.
 

8th Grade Math

Advanced (625 and above)

“Students can reason with information, draw conclusions, make generalizations, and solve linear equations. Students can solve a variety of fraction, proportion, and percent problems and justify their conclusions. Students can express generalizations algebraically and model situations. They can solve a variety of problems involving equations, formulas, and functions. Students can reason with geometric figures to solve problems. Students can reason with data from several sources or unfamiliar representations to solve multi-step problems.”

High (550 to 624)

“Students can apply their understanding and knowledge in a variety of relatively complex situations. Students can use information from several sources to solve problems involving different types of numbers and operations. Students can relate fractions, decimals, and percents to each other. Students at this level show basic procedural knowledge related to algebraic expressions. They can use properties of lines, angles, triangles, rectangles, and rectangular prisms to solve problems. They can analyze data in a variety of graphs.”

Intermediate (475 to 549)

“Students can apply basic mathematical knowledge in straightforward situations. Students can solve problems involving decimals, fractions, proportions, and percentages. They understand simple algebraic relationships. Students can relate a two-dimensional drawing to a three-dimensional object. They can read, interpret, and construct graphs and tables. They recognize basic notions of likelihood.”

Low (400 to 474)

“Students have some knowledge of whole numbers and decimals, operations, and basic graphs.”

Below low (less than 400)

Skills are less developed than those described in the “low” category, above.
 

4th Grade Science

Advanced (625 and above)

“Students apply knowledge and understanding of scientific processes and relationships and show some knowledge of the process of scientific inquiry. Students communicate their understanding of characteristics and life processes of organisms, reproduction and development, ecosystems and organisms’ interactions with the environment, and factors relating to human health. They demonstrate understanding of properties of light and relationships among physical properties of materials, apply and communicate their understanding of electricity and energy in practical contexts, and demonstrate an understanding of magnetic and gravitational forces and motion. Students communicate their understanding of the solar system and of Earth’s structure, physical characteristics, resources, processes, cycles, and history. They have a beginning ability to interpret results in the context of a simple experiment, reason and draw conclusions from descriptions and diagrams, and evaluate and support an argument.”

High (550 to 624)

“Students apply their knowledge and understanding of the sciences to explain phenomena in everyday and abstract contexts. Students demonstrate some understanding of plant and animal structure, life processes, life cycles and reproduction. They also demonstrate some understanding of ecosystems and organisms’ interactions with their environment, including understanding of human responses to outside conditions and activities. Students demonstrate understanding of some properties of matter, electricity and energy, and magnetic and gravitational forces and motion. They show some knowledge of the solar system, and of Earth&rsqou;s physical characteristics, processes, and resources. Students demonstrate elementary knowledge and skills related to scientific inquiry. They compare, contrast, and make simple inferences, and provide brief descriptive responses combining knowledge of science concepts with information from both everyday and abstract contexts.”

Intermediate (475 to 549)

“Students have basic knowledge and understanding of practical situations in the sciences. Students recognize some basic information related to characteristics of living things, their reproduction and life cycles, and their interactions with the environment, and show some understanding of human biology and health. They also show some knowledge of properties of matter and light, electricity and energy, and forces and motion. Students know some basic facts about the solar system and show an initial understanding of Earth’s physical characteristics and resources. They demonstrate ability to interpret information in pictorial diagrams and apply factual knowledge to practical situations.”

Low (400 to 474)

“Students have some elementary knowledge of life science and physical science. Students demostrate a knowledge of some simple facts related to human health, ecosystems, and the behavioral and physical characteristics of animals. They also demonstrate some basic knowledge of energy and the physical properties of matter. Students interpret simple diagrams, complete simple tables, and provide short written responses to questions requiring factual information.”

Below low (less than 400)

Skills are less developed than those described in the “low” category, above.
 

8h Grade Science

Advanced (625 and above)

“Students communicate an understanding of complex and abstract concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth science. Students demonstrate some conceptual knowledge about cells and the characteristics, classification, and life processes of organisms. They communicate an understanding of the complexity of ecosystems and adaptations of organisms, and apply an understanding of life cycles and heredity. Students also communicate an understanding of the structure of matter and physical and chemical properties and changes and apply knowledge of forces, pressure, motion, sound, and light. They reason about electrical circuits and properties of magnets. Students apply knowledge and communicate understanding of the solar system and Earth’s processes, structures, and physical features. They understand basic features of scientific investigation. They also combine information from several sources to solve problems and draw conclusions, and they provide written explanations to communicate scientific knowledge.”

High (550 to 624)

“Students demonstrate understanding of concepts related to science cycles, systems, and principles. They demonstrate understanding of aspects of human biology, and of the characteristics, classification, and life processes of organisms. Students communicate understanding of processes and relationships in ecosystems. They show an understanding of the classification and compositions of matter and chemical and physical properties and changes. They apply knowledge to situations related to light and sound and demonstrate basic knowledge of heat and temperature, forces and motion, and electrical circuits and magnets. Students demonstrate an understanding of the solar system and of Earth’s processes, physical features, and resources. They demonstrate some scientific inquiry skills. They also combine and interpret information from various types of diagrams, contour maps, graphs, and tables; select relevant information, analyze, and draw conclusions; and provide short explanations conveying scientific knowledge.”

Intermediate (475 to 549)

“Students recognize and apply their understanding of basic scientific knowledge in various contexts. Students apply knowledge and communicate an understanding of human health, life cycles, adaptation, and heredity, and analyze information about ecosystems. They have some knowledge of chemistry in everyday life and elementary knowledge of properties of solutions and the concept of concentration. They are acquainted with some aspects of force, motion, and energy. They demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s processes and physical features, including the water cycle and atmosphere. Students interpret information from tables, graphs, and pictorial diagrams and draw conclusions. They apply knowledge to practical situations and communicate their understanding through brief descriptive responses.”

Low (400 to 474)

“Students can recognize some basic facts from the life and physical sciences. They have some knowledge of the human body, and demonstrate some familiarity with physical phenomena. Students interpret simple pictorial diagrams, complete simple tables, and apply basic knowledge to practical situations.”

Below low (less than 400)

Skills are less developed than those described in the “low” category, above.
 

All information in quotations (everything except the “below low” categories) taken from National Center for Educational Statistics’ “U.S. States in a Global Context Results From the 2011 NAEP-TIMSS Linking Study” (2013) or “Highlights From TIMSS 2011 Mathematics and Science Achievement of U.S. Fourth- and Eighth-Grade Students in an International Context” (2013).