NJSLA Trivia 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The NJSLA assessments are primarily delivered in which format?
- Paper and pencil only
- Computer-based (Correct answer)
- Oral examination
- Portfolio submission
Correct answer: Computer-based
The NJSLA is primarily a computer-based assessment, administered on school devices or computer labs.
Question 2: NJSLA Mathematics for grades 3–5 is most closely aligned to which domain emphasis?
- Statistics and Probability
- Operations, Algebraic Thinking, and Number concepts (Correct answer)
- Geometry and Measurement only
- Functions and Modeling
Correct answer: Operations, Algebraic Thinking, and Number concepts
In grades 3–5, NJSLA Math emphasizes Operations and Algebraic Thinking along with Number and Operations concepts.
Question 3: How do NJSLA results factor into New Jersey's school accountability system?
- They determine school funding directly
- They are one of multiple indicators in the NJ Statewide Accountability System (Correct answer)
- They are used solely for teacher evaluation
- They have no accountability use; they are diagnostic only
Correct answer: They are one of multiple indicators in the NJ Statewide Accountability System
NJSLA scores are one of several indicators (including graduation rates and student growth) used in New Jersey's ESSA-required accountability system.
Question 4: Which NJSLA subject is tested in grades 5, 8, and 11?
- ELA
- Mathematics
- Science (Correct answer)
- Social Studies
Correct answer: Science
The NJSLA Science assessment is administered in grades 5, 8, and 11, aligned with NGSS grade-band endpoints.
Question 5: What does a student's 'Student Growth Percentile' (SGP) on the NJSLA measure?
- The student's raw score compared to national averages
- How much a student grew academically compared to peers with similar prior scores (Correct answer)
- The percentage of questions answered correctly
- A student's projected SAT score
Correct answer: How much a student grew academically compared to peers with similar prior scores
SGP compares a student's growth to that of academic peers (students with similar score histories), ranging from 1 to 99.
Question 6: Which of these item types requires students to write an extended response on the NJSLA ELA?
- Selected-response (multiple choice)
- Technology-enhanced drag-and-drop
- Evidence-based selected response
- Prose constructed response (PCR) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Prose constructed response (PCR)
Prose Constructed Response (PCR) items require students to write multi-paragraph essays drawing evidence from texts.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) that the NJSLA measures?
- Standards adopted directly from the Common Core without modification
- State-customized standards that incorporate Common Core foundations with NJ-specific additions (Correct answer)
- Entirely unique standards with no relation to national frameworks
- Federal standards mandated by the U.S. Department of Education
Correct answer: State-customized standards that incorporate Common Core foundations with NJ-specific additions
New Jersey adopted and customized the Common Core State Standards, adding state-specific content to create the NJSLS.
NJSLA Trivia 4
The NJSLA assessments are primarily delivered in which format?