Assessment
DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS
Star Assessments in Early Literacy, Reading and Mathematics
To monitor the academic progress of all students, the school district utilizes the Star Reading, Star Mathematics, and Star Early Literacy Assessments, through Renaissance Learning. The Star Assessments are computerized assessments, designed to help educators personalize instruction based on the individual learning needs of students, as well as help students and teachers track student progress towards learning goals.
These assessments are dynamic, in that they adapt to a child’s academic level during the course of the test. In this way, the Star Assessments are individualized for each student, in order to provide a more specific measure of how each student is progressing towards achieving learning expectations. The following chart indicates the grade levels that will be assessed, as well as the content areas to be assessed at each level. Specific dates for testing vary by grade level and classroom.
All K-8 students will be scheduled to participate in the appropriate assessment at some point during the Fall, Winter and Spring Screening Windows. Teachers will continue to use the Progress Monitoring features available through the Star program outside of the formal screening windows.
STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS
New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA)
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) requires that ALL Grade 3-8 students in the State’s public school system participate in state-mandated assessments. The New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) is used to assess students in the content areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics for Grades 3-8, and Science for Grades 5 and 8. These state assessments are computer-based, and are aligned with the standards for student learning in New Jersey, known as the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
ACCESS for ELLs 2.0
The ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is used to monitor the progress of English as a Second Language students in their acquisition of the English language. This assessment is comprised of four units, each assessing one of the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The assessment integrates the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Students will not be testing each day within the defined window. The district’s ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 testing schedule has been carefully developed to adhere to the scheduling parameters defined by the NJDOE. The test format is dependent on the grade level of the child participating in the test, as indicated in the chart below.
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) assessments are for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities for whom general state assessments are not appropriate, even with accommodations. DLM assessments offer these students a way to show what they know and can do in English language arts, mathematics, and science. The Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) are the result of collaboration between the University of Kansas, New Jersey, and other states. Parents of students participating in the DLM can obtain additional information through their child’s Case Manager, teacher, or the links below.
National Assessments - National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Annually, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is administered to students across the nation to evaluate the academic progress of children across the country. Information from the NAEP is utilized in the development of the Nation’s Report Card, which can be accessed at http://www.nationsreportcard.gov. Schools are selected randomly by the United States Department of Education (USDE) to participate in the NAEP assessment. See the District Standarized Assessment Calendar below.
2023-2024 District Standardized Assessment Calendar
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7C-6.6, the below information is being made available with respect to specific information about Federal, State assessments or commercially developed standardized assessments that may be administered to students during the school year. Please note, not all students will be administered all listed assessments. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s guidance counselor or building administrator should you have any questions.
Note: Parents of students who are permitted accommodations or modifications as per their Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504, or English as a Second Language (ESL) status should contact their guidance office, child study team case manager, ESL instructor, or building administration for additional information regarding accommodations and accessibility options.
RESOURCES
Additional Information on Assessments
- Graduation Requirements in New Jersey - NJDOE
- New Jersey Student Learning Assessments Parent Portal – Sign up and access score reports for your child directly through the NJDOE Portal here.
Renaissance Star Assessment
- A Parent's Guide to Star Assessments
- A Parent's Guide to Star Assessments - Spanish version
- Renaissance Star Assessments - Information for Parents
State Assessments – START STRONG, NJSLA, DLM, ACCESS for ELLs 2.0
- NJSLA Tutorials for Students
- NJSLA Practice Tests for Students
- NJSLA - New Jersey Student Learning Assessments Resource Center for Parents
- NJSLA Science Parent Information, Student Guides, Practice Tests
- Parent information for ACCESS for ELLs 2.0
- Parent Information for Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)
National Assessments - NAEP