TITLE: Learning Levels Of Grade V Students In Language

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) conduct the National Achievement Surveys (NAS) at different stages of school education. The purpose of the NAS is to know the learning levels of students in subjects across the states in the country periodically and provide inputs to the policy makers, researchers and others for improving the system. Study of learning levels of grade V was initiated in 2009 and comprised of 122,543 students and 6,602 schools covering 35 States and Union Territories. Sample was drawn by using Population Proportion Sampling (PPS) and Simple Random Sampling (SRS) methods. Three forms of test booklets were developed using multiple choice items to collect data. The present study explored the learning levels in language. Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to obtain scaled scores of students for meaningful interpretation of the students knowledge and ability in language. The research findings indicate that the average achievement across the states varies significantly. Similarly across the states, within each proficiency level, students ’ average scores were different. To reflect upon what affects the students ’ learning, the background information about students, teachers and schools was also collected and analysed