Information Studies: Achievement Levels

Achievement Levels

Effective school library programs have a positive affect on student achievement: in information processing and information use in all content areas; on reading motivation and achievement; and on the quality of teaching and learning experiences throughout the school.

Table 5 identifies four areas of achievement (the metaskills) in Information Studies – understanding of concepts / reasoning, organizing, communicating and applying – at four levels of performance. These achievement levels are generically designed to partner in the assessment of information skills and knowledge in all subject areas in both elementary and secondary grades.

Table 5. Achievement Levels: Information Studies, Kindergarten to 12
Knowledge/Skills Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

Understanding of Concepts / Reasoning The student:

- demonstrates understanding of few of required concepts - demonstrates understanding of some of required concepts - demonstrates understanding of most of required concepts - demonstrates understanding of all of required concepts

- rarely interprets and synthesizes information accurately and effectively - sometimes interprets and synthesizes information accurately and effectively - usually interprets and synthesizes information accurately and effectively - consistently interprets and synthesizes information accurately and effectively

Organizing The student:

- rarely organizes information logically and effectively - sometimes organizes information logically and effectively - usually organizes information logically and effectively - consistently organizes information logically and effectively

- uses / recognizes a few ways to organize information - uses / recognizes some ways to organize information - uses / recognizes a wide range of ways to organize information - uses / recognizes an extensive range of ways to organize information

Communicating The student:

- rarely communi-cates with clarity, precision and relevance - sometimes communicates with clarity, precision and relevance - usually communi-cates with clarity, precision and relevance - consistently communicates with clarity, precision and relevance

- rarely uses information strategies and technologies appropriately and effectively - sometimes uses information strategies and technologies appropriately and effectively - usually uses information strategies and technologies appropriately and effectively - consistently uses information strategies and technologies appropriately and effectively

Applying The student:

- rarely applies information skills and knowledge in a variety of contexts - sometimes applies information skills and knowledge in a variety of contexts - usually applies information skills and knowledge in a variety of contexts - consistently applies information skills and knowledge in a variety of contexts

- rarely transfers information skills and knowledge to solve problems in new or familiar situations - sometimes trans-fers information skills and knowledge to solve problems in new or familiar situations - usually transfers information skills and knowledge to solve problems in new or familiar situations - consistently trans-fers information skills and knowledge to solve problems in new or familiar situations

Knowledge/Skills	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4
Understanding of Concepts / Reasoning	The student:
	-	demonstrates understanding of few of required concepts	-	demonstrates understanding of some of required concepts	-	demonstrates understanding of most of required concepts	-	demonstrates understanding of all of required concepts
	-	rarely interprets and synthesizes information accurately and effectively	-	sometimes interprets and synthesizes information accurately and effectively	-	usually interprets and synthesizes information accurately and effectively	-	consistently interprets and synthesizes information accurately and effectively
Organizing	The student:
	-	rarely organizes information logically and effectively	-	sometimes organizes information logically and effectively	-	usually organizes information logically and effectively	-	consistently organizes information logically and effectively
	-	uses / recognizes a few ways to organize information	-	uses / recognizes some ways to organize information	-	uses / recognizes a wide range of ways to organize information	-	uses / recognizes an extensive range of ways to organize information
Communicating	The student:
	-	rarely communi-cates with clarity, precision and relevance	-	sometimes communicates with clarity, precision and relevance	-	usually communi-cates with clarity, precision and relevance	-	consistently communicates with clarity, precision and relevance
	-	rarely uses information strategies and technologies appropriately and effectively	-	sometimes uses information strategies and technologies appropriately and effectively	-	usually uses information strategies and technologies appropriately and effectively	-	consistently uses information strategies and technologies appropriately and effectively
Applying	The student:
	-	rarely applies information skills and knowledge in a variety of contexts	-	sometimes applies information skills and knowledge in a variety of contexts	-	usually applies information skills and knowledge in a variety of contexts	-	consistently applies information skills and knowledge in a variety of contexts
	-	rarely transfers information skills and knowledge to solve problems in new or familiar situations	-	sometimes trans-fers information skills and knowledge to solve problems in new or familiar situations	-	usually transfers information skills and knowledge to solve problems in new or familiar situations	-	consistently trans-fers information skills and knowledge to solve problems in new or familiar situations