MAMS Hunkers Down for NJ ASK 2009-2010

Our school district, along with all other New Jersey districts, is scheduled to take the NJ Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) test beginning with our 7th and 8th graders at MAMS next week.  Here's the schedule:

• Grades 3-4 (10-14 May 2010) (makeup exams 17-21 May 2010)
• Grades 5-6 (3-6 May 2010) (makeup exams 10-13 May 2010)
• Grades 7-8 (27-30 April 2010) (makeup exams 3-6 May 2010)

According to the NJ ASK update, the big change this year is the more limited use of calculators for the math portion of the exam. You can also read an official letter discussing the use of manipulatives during the exam.

NJ ASK replaced the Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (ESPA) in 2003 and the Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment (GEPA) in 2008. NJ ASK added testing for grades 5-7 in 2006 to meet requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

The NJ Department of Education provides further information online about the statewide assessment of elementary schools and middle schools. Middle school test results for previous years and other middle school test related data can be found here.

Eleventh graders took the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPA) in March.