Everything You Wanted to Know About NJ ASK 2009

1. Everything You Wanted to Know About NJ ASK 2009 But Were Afraid to Ask!!!!

3. WHO? All students enrolled in New Jersey public schools must be tested. English Language Learner students and special education students are included.

4. WHAT? LANGUAGE ARTS ASSESSMENT Writing- Explanatory-30 minutes Speculative-30 minutes 3 Reading Texts Narrative Texts 30 minutes each Informational Texts with open-ended questions and multiple choice 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 114 minutes Multiple Choice - MC Short Constructed Response - SCR Extended Constructed Response - ECR

6. WHAT? SCIENCE- NJ ASK 4 4 Parts- each part includes 43 multiple-choice items and 3 open-ended items Life Science- 40% of the test Physical Science- 30% of the test Earth Science- 30% of the test

7. WHAT�S NEW? More Language Arts Literacy (LAL) reading passages in grades 3-5 Shorter reading passages and more diverse content Two LAL writing prompts in grades 3-5 Elimination of picture prompt: replaced with speculative writing prompt Two days of math testing grades 3-5 New math item type: short constructed response Spanish versions of test at grades 3-5, all content areas Testing later in the school year

8. WHEN? GRADES 3 - 4 May 4 - 8, 2009 Day 1 - Mon. May 4 - Language Arts Day 2 - Tues. May 5 - Language Arts Day 3 - Wed. May 6 - Math Day 4 - Thurs. May 7- Math Day 5 - Fri. May 8 - Science Gr. 4

9. WHEN? GRADE 5 May 11 � May 14, 2009 Day 1 - Mon. May 11- Language Arts Day 2 - Tues. May 12 - Language Arts Day 3 - Wed. May 13 - Math Day 4 - Thurs. May 14 - Math

10. How is the test data utilized? By the federal government and state: AYP-Adequate Yearly Progress

11. Adequate Yearly Progress 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 2013-2014. 12 years 2001-2002 2013-2014 Academic Year Academic Year (100%)

12. 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 analyze data to direct instruction

13. How to Interpret Test Scores ISR- Individual Student Reports Identifies areas of proficiency in LA, Math and Science (grade 4 only) Advanced Proficient = 250 - 300 Proficient = 200 - 249 Partially Proficient = 100 - 199

16. NJ Ask Language Arts

19. Speculative Writing The speculative writing prompt is a brief scenario with characters and a setting. The students must develop a story using the prompt which includes a problem, solution, and a lesson learned.

20. 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.

21. Explanatory Writing There are two formats for assessing explanatory/expository writing: one will introduce a topic in a brief verbal prompt 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.

22. The second format begins with a poem 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. For each writing task, the students will have 30 minutes to plan and develop their story. Explanatory Writing

23. 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 In 30 Minutes�

24. NJ ASK- Math Grades 3 - 5

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

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. Extended Constructed Response Questions Formerly known as open-ended 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. A task-specific holistic scoring rubric is used in which students can earn up to 3 points.

29. Calculator Usage Calculators will be supplied by the school. Grades 3 - 5 use in all sections, except one: the short constructed response section.

30. Sample: Short Constructed Response Inez has a toy car collection. She has 55 red cars, 67 blue cars, and 123 orange cars. How many cars does she have in all? (answer: 245)

33. There are 43 multiple choice questions and 3 open-ended questions Testing time total: 60 minutes

38. Thank you!