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

New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge

(NJ ASK)

Parent Information Night:

Grades 6 – 8

When is the test? Why do students take the test?

O NJASK 7 & 8O April 29, 30, May 1, 2

O NJASK 6O May 6, 7, 8, 9

O Students take the NJASK to measure their understanding of Mathematics, Language Arts Literacy, and Science (Grade 8 only)

How long is the test?

O Grade 6 & 7O LAL, Day 1: 1 hour, 45 minutesO LAL, Day 2: 2 hours, 15 minutesO Math, Day 1: 1 hour, 4 minutes O Math, Day 2: 1 hour, 9 minutes

O Grade 8O LAL, Day 1: 1 hour, 45 minutesO LAL, Day 2: 2 hours, 15 minutesO Math, Day 1: 2 hours, 13 minutesO Science, Day 1: 2 hours

How is the test scored?O Students receive “raw points” for

each response. Raw points are converted into scaled scores of:

O 250 – 300 (Advanced Proficient)

O 200 – 249 (Proficient)

O 100 – 199 (Partially Proficient)

Math Assessment Overview Scoring – Raw Points

Question Type Number of Questions

Points Available

Math Multiple Choice (1 point each)

32 32

Math Extended Response

(3 points each)

3 9

Math Short (1 point each)

8 8

Total = 3 Types Total = 43 Questions

Total = 49 Points

Raw Points are converted into a scaled score of 100 - 300

Field test items are not included in the above count

Math Assessment Overview

O The NJASK assesses 5 Core Curriculum Content Standards in mathematicsO 4.1 – Number / Numerical OperationsO 4.2 – Geometry and MeasurementO 4.3 – Patterns and AlgebraO 4.4 – Data Analysis, Probability, and

Discrete MathematicsO 4.5 – Mathematical Process / Problem

Solving

Mathematics – Points By Standard

Point breakdown Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Number & Numerical Operations

13 13 13

Geometry & Measurement

14 14 14

Patterns & Algebra 14 14 14

Data Analysis, Probability, & Discrete Mathematics

8 8 8

Total Points 49 49 49Calculator Active 26 Points Non Calculator Active 23 points

Math Assessment OverviewQuestion Types

O Multiple Choice (MC)O Students choose one answer from four

choicesO Extended Constructed Response (ECR)

O Students answer these questions with written responses. Responses may include diagrams, graphs, calculations, or pictures.

O Short Constructed Response (SCR)O Students answer these questions with short

numerical expressions or phrases. SCR is similar to a multiple choice question without answer choices. (No calculators allowed)

Mathematics – Calculator Policy

O Part 1 of the test is non-calculator for all students, including students with disabilities.

O 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.

Math Assessment OverviewMultiple Choice

O MC ExampleWhat is the area of the green space? (Use 3.14 for Π)

A. 28.26 in²B. 7.74 in²C. 4,069 in²D. 36 in² 6 inches

* Calculators are permitted for this section

Math Assessment OverviewMultiple Choice

O MC ExampleBrad is 9 years older than his brother Tom. Which expression can be used to find Tom’s age given Brad is n years old?A. n + 9B. n – 9 C. n x 9D. n ÷ 9

Math Assessment OverviewExtended Constructed Response

O ECR Example:At Johnny’s Burger Place, a combo meal consists of a burger, a side dish, and a drink. O How many combo meals are

possible? Show your work or explain your answer.

O 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

Jonny’s Burger Place Menu

Math Assessment OverviewShort Constructed Response

O SCR Example:What is the value of x, if -3x – 5 = -

14

* Calculators are not permitted on this section

English Assessment Overview

O The NJASK assesses students’ reading and writing abilities with the expectation thatO 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.

O All students will write in clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes.

English Assessment OverviewQuestion Types

O Multiple Choice (questions based on reading passages)

O Students choose one answer from four choices

O Open Ended Response (questions based on reading passages)

O Students answer each portion of these questions with at least five complete sentences.

O Writing(Argument, Persuasive, Informative/Explanatory,

Narrative) O Students respond to each writing prompt with at least five

paragraphs.

English Assessment OverviewMultiple Choice Analyzing/Critiquing Text

O 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.O A. fastenO B. clipO C. necessityO D. pin

English Assessment OverviewMultiple Choice

Working With/Interpreting TextO 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”?O A. Reality shows teach us interesting things.O B. Reality shows teach us about

outrageous things.O C. Reality shows are hard to understand.O D. Reality shows are only appreciated by

some.

English Assessment OverviewOpen Ended Sample

O 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.”O Identify two ways reality shows do not

represent reality. O Use details from the text to support your

response.

English Assessment OverviewWriting Prompts

O 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.

O 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.

O 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.

O 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.

English Assessment OverviewWriting Prompt Sample

ARGUMENTWRITING SITUATION

O 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 O 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.


PERSUASIVE

WRITING SITUATION O 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.

O 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 O 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.


INFORMATIVE / EXPLANATORYO 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.

O 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.


NARRATIVEO 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?

O 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.

English Assessment Overview Scoring – Raw Points

Test Types

(additional field

test content

embedded

throughout)

Reading

Multiple

Choice(Number of

Items)

Open Ended

(Number of

Items)

Writing Tasks

(Number of Items)

Time on

Task

Total Points

Writing: Narrative

1 45 12

Writing: Informati

ve/ Explanato

ry or Narrative

1 30 6

Reading Passage

4 36 4 30 52

Total 4 36 4 2 195 70

*NJ ASK 6- 8 writing is scored using a 6 - point rubric. OE reading items are scored using a 0 - 4 point rubric.

Science Assessment Overview

When is the test? Why do students take the test?

• NJASK Science Portion-Grade 8• May 2, 2013- 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)


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.

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


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


SAMPLE ITEMS

O Physical Science ItemO Environmental Science ItemO Extended Constructed Response-

AstronomyO Varied test items in parent packet

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 5.3.4.C1


Science Assessment OverviewSAMPLE ITEMS

O 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?

O A. Beaker X: phase change Beaker O Y: chemical change

O B. Beaker X: chemical reaction Beaker O Y: physical change

O C. Beaker X: increasing kinetic energy Beaker O Y: decreasing kinetic energy

O D. Beaker X: cold is moving out of the water Beaker O Y: cold is moving into the water 5.2.8. A3

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.


Science Assessment OverviewFinal Thoughts

O Item rationaleO Parent questionsO Student questions

Thank You!!!

Documents

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