New Jersey has administered statewide assessments for students in all public schools since the 1970s, and over the years the testing program has evolved. It began as a measure of basic skills. In 1996 it shifted to an assessment of how well students were meeting the state's more rigorous academic standards. In 2002, after the federal government enacted the No Child Left Behind Act, every state was required to test students in mathematics and English language arts (ELA) in grades 3 through 8 and at least once in high school. That mandate is still in effect under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.
The current NJ Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) are computer based and aligned to the NJ Student Learning Standards. HMS students in grades 7-8 will take the NJSLA in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics in late April/early May. Grade 8 students will also take the NJSLA in science separately in late May.
English: The English language arts assessments focus on reading critically across a range of texts; writing effectively when analyzing text; and building and presenting knowledge through research and the integration of ideas.
Mathematics: The mathematics assessments focus on conceptual understanding and application of math content, expressing mathematical reasoning and modeling real-world problems. While the English language arts assessments are grade-level specific, the mathematics assessments include grade-level and subject-specific assessments. Some students may take Math-7 or Math-8 where others may take the Algebra I or Geometry assessments depending on the course in which they are currently enrolled.
Science: The science assessments measure student proficiency in science and engineering practices, the ability to make sense of phenomena, and to design solutions to problems. The NJSLA-S uses the same familiar testing platform that NJSLA-ELA and NJSLA-M uses.
NJ Department of Education - NJSLA
The New Jersey Department of Education resource page for NJ Student Learning Assessments.
http://www.state.nj.us/education/assessment/
ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE - FIELD TEST
The field testing of the revised NJSLA-adaptive for grades 7 and 8 will take place at HMS between 8:30 a.m. – approx. 11:15 a.m. (end times may vary) according to the following schedule:
SUPPLIES FOR TESTING
Fully charged Chromebook (student responsibility): The NJSLA is entirely computer-based. Students will therefore complete the tasks online using their school-issued Chromebooks. It will be critical that each student come to school prepared with his or her Chromebook fully charged and ready to go each day of testing.
WIRED set of Earbuds/Headphones (student responsibility): Some of the literacy units on the NJSLA may include video components. For this reason students are required to have a set of wired earbuds or headphones that can function with their Chromebooks. All students should already have a personal set of earbuds as part of their regular set of school supplies given their work with Chromebooks at HMS on a daily basis. However, for state testing - wireless devices are not permitted. All earbuds must be WIRED. Please make certain that your child has functional wired earbuds for use in school during our testing week.
Pencils/Paper (provided by school): All students will receive a pencil and scratch paper for use during the tests. Students may use pencil and scratch paper for brainstorming, drafting, note-taking, or calculations, but all final answers must be recorded online via the Chromebook.
Calculator (provided by school/ available within the test): Students will be permitted to use specific types of calculators on some sections of the math assessment. Where appropriate, students will have access to a calculator as one of the online tools built into the NJSLA. This ensures that all students will have access to the calculator features that will be appropriate to their grade level and assessment (i.e. basic function calculator for 7th grade, scientific calculator for 8th grade, or graphing calculator for Algebra/Geometry).
Computer Mouse (recommended): A mouse is not required for testing, however, some students may be more comfortable using a mouse during assessments in lieu of the touchpad. If your child would be more comfortable using a mouse, please be sure to provide one for him or her.
Reading Material (highly recommended): Students who finish early and have logged-out of the test are only permitted to have access to a school- appropriate book to read while others in the room are still testing. No electronic devices (e.g. cell phones, tablets, e-readers) are permitted to be in use by anyone in the classroom while testing is in session.
NJSLA-A PARENT RESOURCES & SAMPLE TESTS