1. NJ ASK 3 New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge Grade 3
Presented by Anastasia Maroulis

2. What is the NJ ASK?
Standard-based assessment used in NJ public schools for students in grades three through eight
Used to determine how well students are acquiring the knowledge and skills outlined in the Common Core State Standards within the current NJ ASK blueprint
Proficiency measures fall into three broad categories:
Partially Proficient
Proficient
Advanced Proficient
Spring next generation assessments (PARCC)

3. When is the NJ ASK administered?
The test is administered each spring: May 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2014
Grade 3 students take the NJ ASK over 4 mornings:
Day 1: Language Arts Literacy
Day 2: Language Arts Literacy
Day 3: Mathematics
Day 4: Mathematics

4. What is the format of the NJ ASK?
Multiple Choice: students are asked to choose the correct answer out of four
Open-Ended: students complete mostly text-dependent written responses

5. What is the format of the NJ ASK Language Arts Literacy?
Reading Portion
3 reading passages; 6 multiple choice and 1 open ended each passage; 10 points each passage
1 or 2 literature passages (30 minutes)
Literature written primarily to tell a story
1 or 2 informational text passages (30 minutes)
Text we encounter in daily life from a variety of sources
Writing Portion
2 writing prompts; 1 narrative and 1 informative/explanatory (30 minutes each; 10 points each)

6. What are the types of writing prompts?
There are two formats for assessing informative/expository writing: one will introduce a topic in a brief verbal prompt and ask students to develop a composition about that topic; the second format uses a poem to introduce a topic. That topic is elaborated further by a brief verbal prompt that students will use as a basis for writing their composition. The expository prompts are based on topics familiar to students and will ask them to describe, discuss, or explain, some aspect of the topic. Students will be able to draw on their own experience and what they know to develop their ideas for their composition.
The narrative prompts presents and brief scenario which students use as a springboard for writing a story, drawing on stories they have read as well as on their own experiences to develop ideas.

7. Informative/Expository Sample
Scientists report that gray squirrels find hundreds of nuts each week that they bury in different places. Then the squirrels dig up all those nuts and bury them again in new spots. They also dig some holes that they don’t ever use for storing nuts. What problems could these actions cause for a gray squirrel? Write a composition discussing the problems squirrels could have because of the way they bury their nuts. Explain why you think they bury and rebury their nuts. Analyze or explain why squirrels might dig holes they do not want to use.

8. Expository Poem Prompt Sample
The child in the poem “Lucky Grandma!” helps her grandmother with many things. Think about a time when you helped someone. Write a composition about that time.
In your composition, be sure to:
• Explain who the person was.
• Describe what you did to help.
• Explain why you liked helping this person.

9. Narrative Writing Prompt Sample
When Tony arrived home after school, the large package was there waiting for him on the kitchen table. He had been waiting for days for it to arrive, and now he had it in his hands. Quickly, he tore open the package and examined the contents. Write a story about the reason for Tony’s excitement.

10. Scoring the NJ ASK 3 Writing
Points
Criteria 4
Clearly demonstrates understanding of the task, fulfills all requirements and provides clear and focused explanation/opinion that links to or extends aspects of the text. 3
Demonstrates an understanding of the task, addresses all requirements and provides some explanation/opinion using situations or ideas from the text as support. 2
May address all of the requirements, but it demonstrates a partial understanding of the task and uses text incorrectly or with limited success, resulting in an inconsistent or flawed explanation. 1
Demonstrates minimal understanding of the task, does not address part of the requirements and provides only a vague reference to or not use of the text.
Irrelevant or off-topic.

11. What is the format of the NJ ASK Mathematics?
Multiple Choice
43 multiple choice questions (1 point each)
Short Constructed Response
8 non-calculator items (1 point each)
Extended Construction Response (some w/ calculators)
4 open-ended responses (3 points each)

12. NJ ASK Math Score Categories
Domain
# of Points
Operations and Algebraic Thinking 14
Number and Operations - Fractions 11
Measurement and Data 13
Geometry 6
Number and Operations in Base Ten
TOTAL 50

13. Scoring the NJ ASK 3 Mathematics
Points
Criteria 3
Demonstrates a complete understanding of the problem’s essential mathematical concepts and contains a clear, effective explanation detailing how the problem was solved. The response contains few minor errors, if any. 2
Demonstrates nearly complete understanding of the problem’s essential mathematical concepts with relevant response to most of the parts of the task. May have minor errors and the student’s explanation may not be clear. 1
Demonstrates limited understanding of the problem’s essential mathematical concepts. Response may be incomplete and/or contain major errors.
Demonstrates insufficient understanding of the problem's essential mathematical concepts.

14. NJ ASK 3 Useful Resources
New Jersey Department of Education
Office of Student Learning Assessments
Office of Academic Standards
Common Core State Standards Initiative
Measurement, Inc.
PARCC Assessment