ESU 6 Analytic Writing Assessment
Administration Guidelines
FALL 2013
Grade Level: 11
Recommended time to administer: *90 minutes in one session (short breaks included)
Scheduling Considerations:
 *To be consistent with the NeSA-W schedule, the assessment should be administered in
one session with a suggested time of 90 minutes. If this schedule is not appropriate, we
recommend two sessions of approximately 45 minutes over consecutive days as in the
past. In this case, districts should ensure that students work directly on the essays only
during scheduled assessment sessions.
 Brief breaks are allowable.
Submitting Student Writing
 Decide how your students will compose and submit their writing (handwritten, word
processed, or *NeSA-Writing practice software). This should be a grade-level and/or
school-wide decision. Provide a copy of the appropriate student instructions for each
student.

Please remove notes, drafts, instruction sheets, or other items before submitting student
writing to be scored. Submit ONLY the following for scoring:
 Student Identification Information Cover Page
 Final copy
Testing Preparation and Administration:
We recommend following the actual NeSA-Writing administration rules as closely as possible to
give students a similar experience. However, since this is NOT a high-stakes test, please make
adjustments as your district deems necessary.
 If districts want to use the same proctor wording as the NeSA-Writing, see page 26 of
the “NeSA-Writing Paper/Pencil Text Administration Manual” (available
http://www.education.ne.gov/assessment/NeSA_Writing.htm).
 Remove or cover writing-related visual aids from the testing room throughout the test
administration.
 At the beginning of the testing session(s), read the student instructions aloud while
students read along silently.
 Students may request additional time if necessary. Provide instructions for what to do
when finished.
 Do not lead students in any structured prewriting or drafting activities during the test.
 Maintain a quiet test atmosphere in which students work independently.
 Do not allow students to bring in or use additional notes or resources for the
assessment.
 Do not allow use of any other programs or electronic devices.
ESU 6 Analytical Scoring Cooperative, FALL 2013
Grade 11
Testing Preparation and Administration:

If having students use a word processor:
o Please note that the actual NeSA-Writing program does not include spell check
or grammar check tools. Preventing students from using these features in a
typical word processing program is not feasible, so please note this context when
analyzing results.
o Ensure that screens can be appropriately monitored to avoid use of Internet and
all programs other than the word processing program.
o Have dictionaries and thesauruses available (or ensure students know how to
use them within the word processing software.
o Direct students to use the default formatting settings for margins and font
(approximately one inch on all sides, Times New Roman or Cambria, size 12).
o Decide how student work will be saved and printed. (Will students submit an
electronic copy to be printed by the test administrator? Will students print their
own work and submit a hard copy to the test administrator?)

If having students use a computer with the online NeSA-Writing practice program:
o

* Due to state level updates in the testing software, using the NeSA-Writing
practice software is NOT an option for the FALL 2013 analytic assessment. In
the future, this will be the preferred method. The updated NeSA system,
including the writing practice tool should be available to schools in early
November 2013.
If having students submit handwritten essays,
o Have dictionaries, thesauruses, and extra writing utensils available.
o Ensure that students write the final copy using only one side of each piece of
paper. All students should attempt to make their writing neat and readable.
Cross-outs and insertions are allowed without penalty.
Please Note:
For the ESU 6 FALL Analytic Assessment, the prompt will likely be the same each year.
Teachers may keep this in mind to avoid using this particular prompt for classroom practice.
ESU 6 Analytical Scoring Cooperative, FALL 2013
Grade 11
ESU 6 Analytic Writing Assessment
Handwritten Papers
Student Instructions:
Today you will take a writing assessment to help us evaluate individual and school
writing skills. Give this test your best effort. Do not talk with anyone during the session
so that everyone can concentrate, think, and write well.
This writing assessment asks you to write a persuasive essay. You will have
approximately 90 minutes to complete your writing and produce a final copy. If you
need more time, you may ask for it at the end of the session.
You will accomplish this writing assessment by doing the following:
 Reading the prompt.
 Thinking about your ideas on the topic.
 Jotting down your thoughts and organizing them.
 Composing your rough draft.
 Revising and editing your essay.
 Self-assessing using the rubric provided and making necessary changes.
 Submitting your essay in final form.
To do your prewriting, you may use your own paper or paper provided for rough drafts.
All prewriting and notes will be collected; you may not take them out of the testing room,
and you may not bring in additional notes anytime during testing. Dictionaries and
thesauruses are available in the room, and you may use them when you wish. You are
NOT allowed to use any electronic device during the test.
Please try to avoid referencing your school name in your essay. Using a fictional school
name such as “Any Public School” is one way to handle this.
Use the paper provided for your final copy. Write your final copy neatly using only one
side of the paper. Cross-outs and insertions are allowed without penalty.
When you are finished, submit the final copy of your writing, return to your seat, and
work quietly until you are dismissed.
ESU 6 Analytical Scoring Cooperative, FALL 2013
Grade 11
ESU 6 Analytic Writing Assessment
Word Processed Papers
Student Instructions:
Today you will take a writing assessment to help us evaluate individual and school
writing skills. Give this test your best effort. Do not talk with anyone during the session
so that everyone can concentrate, think, and write well.
This writing assessment asks you to write a persuasive essay. You will have
approximately 90 minutes to complete your writing and produce a final copy. If you
need more time, you may ask for it at the end of the session.
You will accomplish this writing assessment by doing the following:
 Reading the prompt.
 Thinking about your ideas on the topic.
 Jotting down your thoughts and organizing them.
 Composing your rough draft.
 Revising and editing your essay.
 Self-assessing using the rubric provided and making necessary changes.
 Submitting your essay in final form.
Paper is available for prewriting. All prewriting and notes will be collected; you may not
take them out of the testing room, and you may not bring in additional notes anytime
during testing. You may not add to your essay outside of a monitored testing session.
Commercial dictionaries and thesauruses are available in the room, and you may use
them when you wish. You are also welcome to use the tools provided in your word
processing program (such as the thesaurus and dictionary). You are NOT allowed to
use any other program on the computer or any other electronic device during the test.
Please try to avoid referencing your school name in your essay. Using a fictional school
name such as “Any Public School” is one way to handle this.
Save often while working! When you are finished, be certain to save your work. Submit
your essay, return to your seat, and work quietly until you are dismissed.
ESU 6 Analytical Scoring Cooperative, FALL 2013
Grade 11
WRITING MODE—PERSUASIVE
The junior class at your school has decided to ask the school administration to
consider granting a special privilege or opportunity to seniors next year. Think
about a privilege or opportunity you would like to have as a senior.
Write a persuasive essay convincing the school administration to adopt your
recommendation for one specific privilege or opportunity. Provide thoughtful
reasons and support for your recommendation.
ESU 6 Analytical Scoring Cooperative, FALL 2013
Grade 11
ESU 6 Analytical Scoring Cooperative, FALL 2013
Grade 11