NAEP and NSLP
Thank you to those of you in the 2022 sample that are working towards a successful NAEP 2022. As of this writing, the NAEP field staff is solidifying plans with individual schools in the sample for the assessment.
One of the biggest data collection concerns for the upcoming year is the data that has traditionally been used to identify socioeconomic status. Currently we are using the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to determine who is eligible for free lunch. While you may be thinking everyone is getting free lunch this year, there is a big difference between eating lunch for free and being eligible for free lunch. NAEP is required, by law, to collect data on socioeconomic status. NAEP has always used NSLP data to track economically disadvantaged students. The NSLP program was devised to feed as many students as it can, and was never really concerned with the data it collects being used for other purposes.
Herein lies the issue. For NAEP, schools are using the summer feeding program to feed all students due to the pandemic. While your students are eating for free, they may or may not be free-lunch eligible. NAEP school coordinators should only input the data for free lunch eligibility based on the data your district has collected for your students. The
MyNAEP for schools site has the letter for this year that informs district personnel that NAEP school coordinators can and should collect this data. It is highly sensitive data and should be treated as such. The Department of Agriculture has authorized NAEP, and its personnel, to collect this highly sensitive information.
ADE has also issued guidance to collect this data, despite the use of the summer feeding program to feed students. There are several ways that your district can and does collect this data. Schools in the sample should check with their district data providers and find out who is eligible for free lunch, and not assume that everyone is free lunch this academic year.
