Assessment
Star Assessments in Early Literacy, Reading and Mathematics
To monitor the academic progress of all students, the school district, through Renaissance Learning, utilizes the Star Reading, Star Mathematics, and Star Early Literacy Assessments. The computerized Star Assessments are designed to help educators personalize instruction based on the individual learning needs of students, as well as help teachers track student progress towards learning goals.
These assessments are dynamic; they adapt to a child’s academic level during the course of the test. Star Assessments are individualized for each student to provide a more specific measure of how they are progressing towards achieving learning expectations. The following chart indicates the grade levels, as well as the content areas, to be assessed. Specific dates for testing vary by grade level and classroom.
All K-8 students will be scheduled to participate in the appropriate assessment at a designated time during the Fall, Winter and Spring screening windows. Teachers will continue to use the progress monitoring features available through the Star program outside of the formal screening windows.
Star Assessment- CBM Reading
In August of 2024, New Jersey enacted the law, P.L.2024, c.52 requiring universal literacy screening for all students in kindergarten through third grade starting in the 2025-2026 school year. In order to comply with this law, HTPS has chosen to utilize the Star Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) Reading assessments in conjunction with Early Literacy and Reading assessments.
Students in Grades K-2 will take portions of the Star CBM Reading assessment. CBM is an assessment used to determine students' progress in early-development literacy skills. These one-minute timed assessments provide measures for Letter Naming, Phoneme Segmentation, Letter Sounds, Receptive Nonsense Words, Expressive Nonsense Words, Sight and High-Frequency Words, Passage Oral Reading, and Encoding.
Amira Reading Benchmark Assessment
To further support the reading development of students in upper elementary grades, HTPS will be using the Amira Reading Benchmark Assessment. This computer-based tool listens to students read aloud and measures important reading skills such as fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. The assessment takes about 10–15 minutes providing real-time data that helps teachers identify a student’s strengths and areas for growth. The results are used to inform instruction and ensure each student receives the support they need to become a confident, successful reader.
All students in grades 3-5 will take this assessment in the fall, winter, and spring screening windows.
CogAT
The CogAT assesses the level and pattern of cognitive development of students. It measures reasoning ability in three domains: Verbal, Quantitative, and Non-Verbal (Spatial). Test scores reflect the cognitive processes which enable an individual to learn new tasks and to solve problems independently. It is not an academic achievement test used to determine progress on or mastery of NJSLS. It is an indication of innate ability in verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning. Preparation is not required or recommended for the CogAT test.
CogAT is used by the district to identify elementary students for the additional challenge of gifted and talented programs. ALL third and fifth grade students are screened using the CogAT assessment, allowing HTPS to provide greater equity and access to gifted and talented programming.
STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS
New Jersey Student Learning Assessment- Adaptive (NJSLA- Adaptive)
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) requires that ALL Grade 3-8 students in the State’s public school system participate in state-mandated assessments. The New Jersey Student Learning Assessment- Adaptive (NJSLA- Adaptive) will be used to assess students in the content areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics for Grades 3-8. These state assessments are computer-based and adaptive. As students progress through the test, future questions are determined based on their responses, creating a more personalized and appropriate experience for each learner. They are aligned with the standards for student learning in New Jersey known as the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS.
The NJSLA- Adaptive Field Tests will be administered by the state in the fall for fourth through eighth grade students. This field test is essential to evaluate the quality, clarity, and fairness of the assessment items before administered live this coming spring.
New Jersey Student Learning Assessment- Science (NJSLA- S)
The New Jersey Student Learning Assessment- Science (NJSLA-S) is a state mandated assessment for fifth and eight grade students. This assessment is computer-based and not adaptive.
ACCESS for ELLs 2.0
The ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is used to monitor the progress of Multilingual students in their acquisition of the English language. This assessment comprises four units, each assessing one of the four language domains: listening speaking, reading and writing. The assessment integrates the content areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Students will not be testing each day within the defined window. The district’s ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 testing schedule has been carefully developed to adhere to the scheduling parameters defined by the NJDOE. The test format is dependent on the grade level of the child participating in the test, as indicated in the chart below.
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) assessments are for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities for whom general state assessments are not appropriate, even with accommodations. DLM assessments offer these students a way to show what they know and can do in English language arts, mathematics, and science. The DLM are the result of collaboration between the University of Kansas, New Jersey, and other states. Parents of students participating in the DLM can obtain additional information through their child’s Case Manager, teacher, or the links below.
National Assessments - National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Annually, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is administered to students across the nation to evaluate the academic progress of children across the country. Information from the NAEP is utilized in the development of the Nation’s Report Card, which can be accessed at http://www.nationsreportcard.gov. Schools are selected randomly by the United States Department of Education (USDE) to participate in the NAEP assessment. See the District Standardized Assessment Calendar below.
2025-2026 District Standardized Assessment Calendar
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7C-6.6, the below information is being made available with respect to specific information about Federal, State assessments or commercially developed standardized assessments that may be administered to your child during the school year. Please note, not all students will be administered all listed assessments. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s guidance counselor or building administrator should you have any questions.
Note: Parents of students who are permitted accommodations or modifications as per their Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504, or multilingual learner (ML) status should contact their guidance office, child study team case manager, ML instructor, or building administration for additional information regarding accommodations and accessibility options.
RESOURCES
Additional Information on Assessments
- Graduation Requirements in New Jersey - NJDOE
- New Jersey Student Learning Assessments Parent Portal (Sign up and access score reports for your child directly through the NJDOE Portal here)
Renaissance Star Assessment
Amira Reading Benchmark Assessment
CogAT
State Assessments – NJSLA, DLM, ACCESS for ELLs 2.0
- New Jersey Assessments Portal
- NJSLA Science Parent Information, Student Guides, Practice Tests
- Parent information for ACCESS for ELLs 2.0
- Parent Information for Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)
National Assessments - NAEP