The document outlines significant changes to the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) testing system, which now aligns with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for language arts and mathematics. Writing sections have been revamped for grades 3-8, focusing on informative, explanatory, and narrative styles, while math assessments have shifted to emphasize arithmetic operations and fractions. The document also highlights the importance of test scores for academic placement and offers suggestions for improving student performance through various programs and study strategies.

1. NJ ASK
What does it mean
for my child?

2. CHANGES AND UPDATES
• 2015 - entire testing system changes
• Tests administered by:
Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College
and Career (PARCC)
•Testing will take place 4 times a year
–de-emphasize the impact of a single test score
–give more opportunitiesfor students to exhibit
knowledge & skills

3. LANGUAGE ARTS LITERACY
• 2013: first year the NJ ASK will test in-line with Common Core
State Standards (CCSS) specifically
– Key Ideas and Details
– Craft and Structure
• Biggest changes: Writing sections of English Language Arts
– OLD: students read a multi-paragraph passage& incorporating details into
their writing,
– NEW: students given one short paragraph and must supplement their essays
with information from texts or other media.
– SCORES: based on how much information a student put into a their work

4. READING FOR GRADES 3 - 5
• 2 OUT OF 3 WRITING STYLES TESTED
– Informative/Explanatory& Narrative
• Informative/Explanatory
– a short paragraph or a poem on a familiar topic
– students write a response using their own
experience, opinions, and knowledge
• Narrative
– a one-paragraph scenario
– students develop into a complete story

5. READING FOR GRADES 6 - 8
• 2 OUT OF 3 WRITING STYLES TESTED
– Informative/Explanatory& Narrative
• Informative/Explanatory
– a short paragraph or a poem on a familiar topic
– students write a response using their own
experience, opinions, and knowledge
• Narrative
– a one-paragraph scenario
– students develop into a complete story

6. MATH 2013
• 2013 – first year NJ ASK tests in-line with new
Common Core State Standards (CCSS), but
only for grades 3-5
• New standards: more focused and cohesive
than prior New Jersey Core Curriculum
Content Standards (NJCCCS)
• Emphasis on critical topics will increase

7. MATH 2013
• GRADES 3-5: the four arithmetic operations are heavily
emphasized
• GRADES 4-5: fractions become the main focus
• The numerical operations increase from 40% to 60+% of the
test
• Terminology reflects a more specific demand.
– Old: “Demonstrate an understanding of whole number
place value concepts.”
– New: “Use place value understanding to round whole
numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.”
• The changes for grades 6 to 8 will take place in 2014

8. MATH 2013
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
• Score reflects student’s current skills
• Score impact next year academic placement
ADVANCED PROFICIENT: 250-300
PROFICIENT: 200-249
PARTIALLY PROFICIENT: 199 and below

9. SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL
STUDENT REPORT

10. SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL
STUDENT REPORT

11. SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL
STUDENT REPORT

12. SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL
STUDENT REPORT

13. HOW TO IMPROVE THE SCORE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Comprehensively understand score
Evaluate current study habits
Setup action plan
Basic skills and habits develop
Test Taking Skills = Motivation to completion

14. MEK Programs for NJ ASK
•
•
•
•
•
Critical Reading& Writing
Problem Solving Math
Comp Math
Writing Lab and Literacy @ the Lab
Reading’s So Great!

15. NJ ASK: Writing Lab
• 13 WEEKS
– 3rd-5thExpository& Speculative
– 6thSpeculative&Persuasive
– 7th-8thExplanatory&Persuasive

16. NJ ASK: Literacy @ Writing Lab
• 13 WEEKS
– critically read various genres (information, nonfiction, fiction)
– practice answering open-ended questions
– receive immediate feedback from teacher

17. Visit: mekreview.com