1. New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) Parent Information Night: Grades 6 – 8

2. When is the test? Why do students take the test?
NJASK 7 & 8
April 29, 30, May 1, 2
NJASK 6
May 6, 7, 8, 9
Students take the NJASK to measure their understanding of Mathematics, Language Arts Literacy, and Science (Grade 8 only)

3. How long is the test? Grade 6 & 7 Grade 8
LAL, Day 1: 1 hour, 45 minutes
LAL, Day 2: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Math, Day 1: 1 hour, 4 minutes
Math, Day 2: 1 hour, 9 minutes
Grade 8
Math, Day 1: 2 hours, 13 minutes
Science, Day 1: 2 hours

4. How is the test scored?
Students receive “raw points” for each response. Raw points are converted into scaled scores of:
250 – 300 (Advanced Proficient)
200 – 249 (Proficient)
100 – 199 (Partially Proficient)

5. Math Assessment Overview Scoring – Raw Points
Question Type
Number of Questions
Points Available
Math Multiple Choice
(1 point each) 32
Math Extended Response
(3 points each) 3 9
Math Short 8
Total = 3 Types
Total = 43 Questions
Total = 49 Points
Raw Points are converted into a scaled score of
Field test items are not included in the above count

6. Math Assessment Overview
The NJASK assesses 5 Core Curriculum Content Standards in mathematics
4.1 – Number / Numerical Operations
4.2 – Geometry and Measurement
4.3 – Patterns and Algebra
4.4 – Data Analysis, Probability, and Discrete Mathematics
4.5 – Mathematical Process / Problem Solving

7. Mathematics – Points By Standard
Point breakdown
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Number & Numerical Operations 13
Geometry & Measurement 14
Patterns & Algebra
Data Analysis, Probability, & Discrete Mathematics 8
Total Points 49
Calculator Active 26 Points
Non Calculator Active 23 points

8. Math Assessment Overview Question Types
Multiple Choice (MC)
Students choose one answer from four choices
Extended Constructed Response (ECR)
Students answer these questions with written responses. Responses may include diagrams, graphs, calculations, or pictures.
Short Constructed Response (SCR)
Students answer these questions with short numerical expressions or phrases. SCR is similar to a multiple choice question without answer choices. (No calculators allowed)

9. Mathematics – Calculator Policy
Part 1 of the test is non-calculator for all students, including students with disabilities.
Three of the remaining five parts (parts 4 through 6) are calculator active. These parts will include multiple-choice (MC) and extended constructed-response (ECR) items.

10. Math Assessment Overview Multiple Choice
MC Example
What is the area of the green space? (Use 3.14 for Π)
28.26 in²
7.74 in²
4,069 in²
36 in²
6 inches
* Calculators are permitted for this section

11. Math Assessment Overview Multiple Choice
MC Example
Brad is 9 years older than his brother Tom. Which expression can be used to find Tom’s age given Brad is n years old?
n + 9
n – 9
n x 9
n ÷ 9

12. Math Assessment Overview Extended Constructed Response
Jonny’s Burger Place Menu
ECR Example:
At Johnny’s Burger Place, a combo meal consists of a burger, a side dish, and a drink.
How many combo meals are possible? Show your work or explain your answer.
How can Johnny change the menu so that customers have 36 possible combo meals? Show your work to support your answer.
Burgers
Side Dish
Drink
Turkey
French Fries
Milk
Chicken
Potato Chips
Juice
Beef
Soda
Veggie

13. Math Assessment Overview Short Constructed Response
SCR Example:
What is the value of x, if -3x – 5 = -14
* Calculators are not permitted on this section

14. English Assessment Overview
The NJASK assesses students’ reading and writing abilities with the expectation that
All students will understand and apply the knowledge of sounds, letters, and words in written English to become independent and fluent readers, and will read a variety of materials and texts with fluency and comprehension.
All students will write in clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes.

15. English Assessment Overview Question Types
Multiple Choice
(questions based on reading passages)
Students choose one answer from four choices
Open Ended Response
Students answer each portion of these questions with at least five complete sentences.
Writing
(Argument, Persuasive, Informative/Explanatory, Narrative)
Students respond to each writing prompt with at least five paragraphs.

16. English Assessment Overview Multiple Choice Analyzing/Critiquing Text
What does staple mean in the following sentence? In recent years, reality television shows have become a staple in many network’s programming schedules and it’s easy to see why.
A. fasten
B. clip
C. necessity
D. pin

17. English Assessment Overview Multiple Choice Working With/Interpreting Text
What does the author mean in the last paragraph when she says, “…reality shows teach us how to put a puzzle together with our toes while wearing a blindfold”?
A. Reality shows teach us interesting things.
B. Reality shows teach us about outrageous things.
C. Reality shows are hard to understand.
D. Reality shows are only appreciated by some.

18. English Assessment Overview Open Ended Sample
The author states, “Today’s reality shows no longer offer us a real glimpse into the lives of people and cultures from around the world.”
Identify two ways reality shows do not represent reality.
Use details from the text to support your response.

19. English Assessment Overview Writing Prompts
The writing tasks for argument ask the student to support or oppose a claim or position on a given issue arising from interpersonal, school/community, or social contexts.
The persuasive writing tasks elicit the student’s point of view or opinion regarding a given controversy arising in interpersonal, school/community, or societal contexts.
The informative/explanatory prompt presents students with a topic based on a quotation or adage, or based on a familiar subject. Each is a springboard for the student to write an essay. Explanatory writing is used to share knowledge and to convey ideas and experiences. Explanatory writing may be based on the writer’s personal knowledge or on information presented to the writer.
The narrative prompt presents a brief scenario which students use as a springboard for writing a story, drawing on literature they have read as well as their own experiences and imagination to develop ideas.

20. English Assessment Overview Writing Prompt Sample
ARGUMENT
WRITING SITUATION
Educational researchers claim that student learning will improve if all printed textbooks are replaced with electronic textbooks, known as e-textbooks. Based on the researchers’ findings, students in your school will be issued an e-textbook reader, which is a device that displays electronic books.
WRITING TASK
Write an essay either supporting or opposing the claim that student learning will improve if all student textbooks are replaced with electronic reading books. Use your knowledge and your own experience or observation to develop your essay. Use reasons, facts, examples and/or other evidence to support your position.

21. English Assessment Overview Writing Prompt Sample
PERSUASIVE
WRITING SITUATION
Your state is considering whether to charge a $2 fee for each person to enter and use parks and community playgrounds. The money would be used to maintain and improve buildings, fields, courts, and playground equipment. This proposal is controversial, and many citizens have strong opinions about the idea.
You decide to write an editorial for the local newspaper expressing your opinion about whether to charge a $2 fee for each person to enter and use parks and community playgrounds.
WRITING TASK
Write an editorial for the local newspaper expressing your opinion about whether to charge a $2 fee for each person to enter and use parks and community playgrounds. Be sure to include reasons, facts, examples, and/or other evidence to support your position.

22. English Assessment Overview Writing Prompt Sample
INFORMATIVE / EXPLANATORY
Anne Frank once said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Think about what Anne Frank is saying regarding how people can improve the world around them.
Write an essay about how people can improve the world around them. Use your knowledge and your own experience or observation to develop your essay. Use details, reasons, and examples in your explanation.

23. English Assessment Overview Writing Prompt Sample
NARRATIVE
Think what it would be like to live one day in the setting of your favorite book or short story. What would happen to you in this place? What would you do?
Use your knowledge of the setting of a book or short story along with your imagination to write a story about your experience in this place.

24. English Assessment Overview Scoring – Raw Points
Test Types (additional field test content embedded throughout)
Reading
Multiple Choice
(Number of Items)
Open Ended
Writing Tasks
Time on Task
Total Points
Writing: Narrative 1 45 12
Writing:
Informative/
Explanatory or Narrative 30 6
Reading Passage 4 36 52
Total 2
195 70
*NJ ASK 6- 8 writing is scored using a 6 - point rubric. OE reading items are scored using a point rubric.

25. Science Assessment Overview
When is the test? Why do students take the test?
NJASK Science Portion-Grade 8
May 2, Day 4 is the official Science Day.
Students are tested on items from Biology, Physical Science, Earth Science, and Chemistry.
Students take the NJASK to measure their cumulative understanding of Science from grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 based on the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS)

26. Science Assessment Overview
How long is the test?
Grade 8 - Science, Day 4: 2 hours
Test Taking Guidance and Tips:
Read all questions first.
If you are not sure which answer is correct do not force yourself to choose any answer- skip and come back to it.
It is very important that the student at least read the extended constructed response questions so they are not placed in a situation of running out of time.

27. Science Assessment Overview Scoring – Raw Points
Assessment and Score Reporting for SPRING 2013 will be aligned to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.
Science assessment includes four parts.
Each MC item is worth one point; each open-ended item is worth up to three points.
Each open-ended item is scored using an item-specific rubric.
Life Science – 40 percent of the test
Physical Science – 30 percent of the test
Earth Science – 30 percent of the test

28. Science Assessment Overview
Item Count by Type:
Multiple-Choice: 48 Questions
Extended Constructed Responses: 2 Questions
Total raw score points possible: 54
Approximate total testing time: 120 minutes

29. Science Assessment Overview
SAMPLE ITEMS
Physical Science Item
Environmental Science Item
Extended Constructed Response-Astronomy
Varied test items in parent packet

30. Science Assessment Overview
SAMPLE ITEMS
Organisms can only survive in environments in which their needs are met. Within ecosystems, organisms interact and are dependent on their physical and living environment.
In 1962, Rachel Carson wrote the book Silent Spring, warning society about the effects of insecticides. Which of the following facts about ecosystems explains why insecticides are harmful to the environment?
A. Ecosystems are very large.
B. Ecosystems have both living and non-living things.
C. Living things in ecosystems are interdependent.*
D. Many kinds of organisms are found in difference ecosystems.
Science C1

31. Science Assessment Overview
SAMPLE ITEMS
Properties of solids, liquids, and gases are explained by a model of matter as composed of tiny particles (atoms) in motion. A student places Beaker X containing one liter of water on a burner. The student places Beaker Y containing one liter of water in the freezer. What is occurring in the samples?
A. Beaker X: phase change Beaker
Y: chemical change
B. Beaker X: chemical reaction Beaker
Y: physical change
C. Beaker X: increasing kinetic energy Beaker
Y: decreasing kinetic energy
D. Beaker X: cold is moving out of the water Beaker
Y: cold is moving into the water A3

32. Science Assessment Overview
Extended Constructed Response
The star Proxima Centauri is a distance of 4.3 light-years away from Earth.
Explain what a light year is.
Explain what it means to say that Proxima Centauri is 4.3 light-years from Earth.
When you look at Proxima Centauri in the sky are you seeing it as it is right now? Explain
The sun is a distance of 8 light-minutes from Earth. Explain what this means.

33. Science Assessment Overview
Final Thoughts
Item rationale
Parent questions
Student questions
Thank You!!!