NJSLA Information
NJSLA Score Report Information
The below links will provide parents with information about the NJSLA Individual Score Reports to be sent home, once the state releases the scores, most recently in the summer.
About NJSLA
Who takes the NJSLA assessments and what do they look like?
- NJSLA assessments will be administered in grades 3-11 this school year, in the areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science in grades 5th and 8th.
- All state tests are secure documents and are not released for public review. As was the case with the NJASK, HSPA, and NJSLA, test security prohibits staff members from reviewing or discussing the test content.
Sample NJSLA Questions
Like many states, New Jersey renamed the state test to NJSLA even though the assessment is on the same platform as the PARCC. So the links for PARCC, including sample tests and questions for the NJSLA, are still relevant for student use. This link will provide specific grade level examples of PARCC/NJSLA questions by subject and grade level. In addition, sample scoring rubrics are also available.
For a history of questions that have been released from prior assessments, visit the NJLSA Digital Library.
NJSLA Results
FAQs
How is the Medford Township School District preparing students for the NJSLA?
Preparation for NJSLA means trusting the curriculum, the instruction, and student learning through daily regular programming. NJSLA is an assessment of the common core and our curriculum; it has been aligned to the common core, now the NJSLS, since 2010. District wide our teachers work in collaborative teams with a focus on literacy, improving lesson development, classroom instruction, as well as the continued development of common assessments at higher Depth of Knowledge levels. In addition, our teachers are committed to incorporating best instructional practices, which support both the technology and the content assessed on the NJSLA assessments. Medford Township teachers at every level (elementary and middle) are learning about NJSLA, taking sample test and/or experiencing sample questions.
How are the subjects divided for the NJSLA assessments?
NJSLA will be administered in grades 3-11 this school year in the areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science (grades 5 and 8 only).
The English Language Arts test at each grade level will include 4-5 texts, both literary and informational. (including social science/historical, scientific, and technical texts at grades 6-11). A number of short-answer comprehension and vocabulary questions will also be associated with each text. The English Language Arts at each grade level will include three tasks, a literary analysis, a research simulation, and a narrative task. For each task, students will be asked to read or view one or more texts, answer several short comprehension and vocabulary questions, and write an essay that requires them to draw evidence from the text(s).
The mathematics test at each grade level will include both short- and extended-response questions focused on applying skills and concepts to solve problems that require demonstration of the mathematical practices with a focus on modeling, reasoning and precision. The test will also have a number of short-answer questions focused on conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and application.
How will the tests be scored and by whom?
Similar to the PARCC, scoring will be conducted by computer and by people. Trained individuals will be scoring these assessments guided by rubrics to evaluate student responses and written compositions.
Is a student who does not pass a NJSLA in Algebra required to retake the assessment?
Depends on the outcome of a current legal case. More information will be clarified in the future.
What will my child’s testing schedule look like?
Testing schedules at each of the schools were created to ensure that students receive age appropriate testing settings and to minimize as much as possible disruption to the continuity of instruction. No students will be testing for more than seven half days.
Will my child who has an IEP receive accommodations?
Yes. Students with IEP’s, 504 plans, and who are English Language Learners can receive NJSLA accommodations. In addition, all students are entitled to NJSLA accessibility features such as a highlighting tool, line reader, etc.
Will my child who has a 504 Plan receive accommodations?
Yes. Students with 504 plans, IEP’s, and who are English Language Learners can receive NJSLA accommodations. In addition, all students are entitled to NJSLA accessibility features such as a highlighting tool, line reader tool, etc.
What can I do at home?
As a parent/guardian the most important thing you can do is to keep the NJSLA assessments in perspective so as to not create too much pressure. Encourage sustained reading on a regular basis and if possible digitally. (i.e. Kindle, Laptop, iPad, etc)
Will NJSLA be a graduation requirement?
The most recent guidance shared out from the NJDOE can be found in this memo.
Does my child get assessed in Science as well as ELA and Math?
The online New Jersey Student Learning Assessment-Science (NJSLA-S) is given to 5th and 8th graders. The testing window varies every year and information will be sent home. A parent information packet will come home with your child.