1. Welcome to Menlo Park School Overview of NJASK3-5 Presented by Dalia Mirrione Curriculum Resource Teacher

2. ~ NCLB- “No Child Left Behind” –2002 ~
WHY?
~ NCLB- “No Child Left Behind” –2002 ~
Every state must have an annual assessment for language arts & math in grades (3-8)
Also assess every 4th grader in science
Align state assessments with CCCS
(grade level expectations of knowledge & skills)
NCLB mandates all students attain a level of proficiency by school year
Provides information to schools about students’ levels of proficiencies in meeting state/federal benchmarks

3. WHO? All students enrolled in New Jersey public schools.
Most English Language Learner students and special education students

4. WHAT? LANGUAGE ARTS ASSESSMENT Writing- Explanatory-30 minutes
Speculative-30 minutes
3 Reading Texts
Narrative Texts
30 minutes each
Informational Texts
* With multiple choice & open-ended questions
* Each multiple choice question is worth 1 point and each open-ended question is worth up to 4 points.

5. WHAT? MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENT Approximately 1 hour each day
Multiple Choice – MC
Short Constructed Response - SCR
Extended Constructed Response - ECR

6. WHAT?
SCIENCE- NJ ASK 4
4 Sections: each includes approx. 10 multiple-choice items and 1 open-ended item
Life Science- 40% of test
Physical Science- 30% of test
Earth Science- 30% of test

7. WHEN? GRADE 5: May 2nd – 5th GRADE 4: May 9th – 13th
Day 1 - Mon. Language Arts
Day 2 - Tues. Language Arts
Day 3 - Wed. Math
Day 4 - Thurs. Math
Day 5 - Fri. Science (Gr. 4)

8. Adequate Yearly Progress
AYP
Each state must develop a timeline that effectively ensures that 100% of students are proficient in the state’s academic standards (reading and math) by
12 years
Academic Year Academic Year
(100%) 8

9. How is the test data utilized by the school and district?
To compare data from similar districts
To analyze and compare data over the years to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses
To examine test scores to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses on a grade level and for individual students.
To enhance alignment of district curriculum with NJCCS
To plan instruction based on student needs
To intervene for student improvement
To integrate test taking strategies across the curriculum
To offer effective supports for our subgroups, as needed

10. INDIVIDUAL STUDENT REPORT

12. NJ ASK

13. SAMPLE LANGUAGE ARTS OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Which character in this story would you choose as a friend? Explain using details from the text to support your opinion.
Based on the text, why is it important to make sure your cookies are at least an inch apart on the baking sheet before putting in the oven? Explain using details from the text to support your answer.

14. SCORING GUIDE:READING OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
4-point response
- Clearly demonstrates understanding of the task, completes all requirements, and provides an insightful explanation/ opinion that links to or extends aspects of the text.
3-point response
- Demonstrates an understanding of the task, completes all requirements, and provides some explanation/ opinion using situations or ideas from the text as support.
2-point response
- May address all of the requirements, but demonstrates a partial understanding of the task, and uses text incorrectly or with limited success resulting in an inconsistent or flawed explanation.
1-point response
- Demonstrates minimal understanding of the task, does not complete the requirements, and provides only a vague reference to or no use of the text.

15. Speculative Writing
The speculative writing prompt is a brief scenario with characters and a setting.
The students must develop a story based on the prompt, using all that they have learned about organization, mechanics, and craft.

16. Sample Speculative Prompt
When the school bell rang, Katie and Pablo grabbed their books and raced out of the classroom. They had been looking forward to this afternoon all week long. Today they were going to go on an adventure.
Write a story about the adventure
Katie and Pablo had after they left
school.

17. In 30 Minutes… Create an opening “hook” Create characters and dialogue
Frame a setting
Create a plot
State and explain the main problem
Solve the problem
Write the lesson learned
Do all tasks while using high level vocabulary, descriptive adjectives and verbs, specific nouns, figurative language, varied sentence structure, and other advanced writing techniques
All scores based on a 5 point rubric

18. Explanatory Writing
There are two formats for assessing explanatory-expository writing: one will introduce a topic and ask students to develop a composition about that topic.
Example:
Most people have a special activity or hobby that they enjoy. Some people collect things while others like to read or play games. What activity do you like to do?
Write a composition describing what you enjoy doing. Explain why that activity is special to you.

19. Explanatory Writing
The second format begins with a brief text “starter” that introduces a topic. The students must then create a story related to that topic, based upon a series of questions.
Questions include how the student relates to a similar experience, how they felt during the experience, and with whom they shared the experience. (“Describe a time when…”)
For each writing task, the students will have 30 minutes to plan and develop their story.

21. NJ ASK
NJ ASK- Math

22. Mathematical Processes
Problem Solving:
Apply problem solving strategies
Communication:
Use language to express mathematical understanding
Reasoning:
Justify answers

23. Multiple Choice Questions
Students select an answer from the list of choices provided.
Students should spend approximately 1- 2 minutes per question.
Correct answers are worth 1 point.

24. Short Constructed Response Questions
Students calculate the answer and record the answer on the line.
No explanations are needed to support students answers.
Students should spend
1 - 2 minutes per question.
Worth 1 point each

25. Sample: Short Constructed Response
Inez has 4 packs of crayons with 24 crayons in each pack. She realized that she was missing 8 crayons. How many crayons does she have altogether?
(24 x 4 = 96→96-8 = 88 crayons)
Inez has 88 crayons altogether.

26. Extended Constructed Response Questions
These questions involve students answering multiple questions centered around a problem.
Students then need to explain their mathematical thinking and justify their process through written language.
Students should spend about 10 minutes to answer each of these questions.

27. Show your work or explain your answer.
Sample Problem: Extended Constructed Response
MATHEMATICS GRADE 4
You have to choose between two different job offers for the same four day period. The first job pays $5.00 each day for the 4 days. The second job pays $1.00 for the first day, and each day after the first, you will be paid twice the amount you received the previous day
Which job will pay you the greatest amount for the 4 days?
Would your answer change if you were working for more than 4 days?
Show your work or explain your answer.
Job 1 = 4 x 5 = $20
Job 2 = = $15
( )
Job 1 gives the most money for 4 days because $20 is more than $15. If you worked for 5 days, Job 2 would give more money because $15 + $16 = $31, but $20 + $5 = $25.
Sample 3 point answer:

28. Rubric for Scoring EC Responses
3-Point Response
- Shows complete understanding of problem’s math concepts
- Executes all procedures completely
- Gives relevant responses to all parts
- Clear, effective explanation about problem-solving steps
2-Point Response
- Shows nearly complete understanding of problem’s math concepts
- Executes nearly all procedures completely
- Gives relevant responses to most parts
- Somewhat clear, effective explanation about problem-solving steps
1-Point Response
- Shows limited understanding of problem’s math concepts
- Executes procedures incompletely and/or with major errors
- Gives incomplete or inaccurate responses
- Unclear, ineffective or lacking explanation about problem-solving steps

29. Science Life Science - 40% of the test
NJ ASK ~ Grade 4
Life Science % of the test
Physical Science % of the test
Earth Science % of the test

30. Sample Multiple Choice Test Item:

31. Sample Open Ended Test Item:

32. How do we prepare our students for NJASK Language Arts?
Daily reading/writing/speaking opportunities
Direct instruction on test-taking strategies
Analyzing student benchmark samples
Analyzing & scoring their own/peer samples
Embedded open-ended prompts throughout year and across content areas
Familiarity with rubrics and expectations
Introduction of “timed” writing experiences
Multiple opportunities to experience test-type items and reinforce application of strategies

33. How do we prepare our students for NJASK Math?
Frequent to daily problem-solving opportunities
Direct instruction on problem-solving, test-taking strategies, communicating process
Embedded SCR and ECR problems in homework, assessments, activities
Opportunities to revisit and reinforce past chapters and concepts
Increasing complexity of word problems, concepts, and expectations

34. How can parents help? Encourage tons of reading
Support daily completion of homework
Discuss experiences, movies, thinking, etc.
Model problem-solving strategies in everyday life
“Think aloud” as often as possible
Create a literacy-rich home environment
Remember that anxiety and stress negatively impacts student performance
Regularly use Study Island
Provide resources and outings that enrich the curriculum
Trust that teachers have been preparing students throughout the school year

35. * QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD*